Stay Central Hotel
Where history meets the party: Stay Central Hotel – right in the thick of Edinburgh's nightlife
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About
If you're walking down Cowgate and spot the historic facade dating back to 1621, you've found Stay Central Hotel. This place is the epicentre of Edinburgh's nightlife, right next to The Three Sisters courtyard. Grab a room with a SMEG fridge and rainfall shower, but fair warning: the party goes until 3am, so bring earplugs or join in. It's perfect for stag and hen groups who want to be in the thick of it, but the 24/7 front desk and free wifi also make it a surprisingly handy spot to crash after a day exploring the Royal Mile.
Facilities
Dining
Breakfast is served daily from 8am to 11am at the adjoining Three Sisters bar. The hotel also has a bar/lounge and a coffee shop on site.
Work & Study Spaces
Full Description
Stay Central Hotel is located at 139 Cowgate, Edinburgh EH1 1JS, in the heart of the Old Town. The building dates back to 1621 and retains historic character while offering a modern, social hotel experience. It has 37 rooms spread across four floors, categorised by size: Small (sleeps 2, double bed), Medium (sleeps 2, double or twin), Large (sleeps 2, double or twin), X-Large (sleeps 4, twin or double beds), XX-Large (sleeps 6, beds can be single or double), and The Dorm (sleeps 8, single and double bed options). All rooms include free high-speed WiFi, flat-screen TVs, rainfall showers, and complimentary toiletries. Larger rooms feature SMEG fridges, chill-out sofas, and speakers. Breakfast is served daily from 8am to 11am in The Three Sisters bar (adjoined to the hotel) and costs £15 per person. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, is wheelchair accessible, and offers laundry service, luggage storage, and taxi service. It is open 24 hours a day, every day. Online booking is available via direct-book.com. The hotel is situated next to The Three Sisters, Biddy Mulligans, and Cabaret Voltaire. Within a ten-minute walk are The Royal Mile, The Grassmarket, Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, Princes Street, and Edinburgh University Campus. From Edinburgh Airport, take the tram to St Andrew’s Square and walk across North Bridge. The hotel has 15 electric vehicle charging points (Type 2, 7 kW each) operated by POD Point, with public membership required and a complicated tariff structure (£0.45/kWh, £0.75/kWh). The noise level is described as loud, particularly from the adjacent nightclub courtyard which operates until 3am on weekends. Reviews on Tripadvisor (4.3/5 from 2,159 reviews) and Booking.com (7.9/10 from 1,771 reviews) praise the location and friendly staff but frequently note noise issues. The hotel also offers a workspace through the Swurf app, allowing guests to use the lobby/lounge for work. The property is part of the Scotsman Collection and accepts American Express, Visa, and Mastercard (cash not accepted). Check-in from 3pm, check-out until 11am. Minimum check-in age is 18. Pets are not allowed. For group bookings of 4+ rooms or over £2000, a 25% non-refundable deposit is required.