During our summer trip to the U.K., we took a road trip from London to Portree in the Scottish Highlands and spent a few days in Edinburgh. We stayed at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, a family-friendly hotel in Edinburgh Old Town, steps from the Royal Mile.
In this Hilton Edinburgh Carlton review, I’ll share how we booked our stay with Hilton Honors points, what it was like traveling as a family of four, and the top attractions in Edinburgh you can easily explore on foot.
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How to book Hilton Edinburgh Carlton on points
We booked our two-night stay at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton using Hilton Honors points, which saved us hundreds of dollars compared to the cash rate. Thus, we redeemed 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night for a Standard Room, an excellent value for such a central location in Edinburgh.
Now, to earn Hilton Points, you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Hilton Honors at a 1:2 ratio (1 Amex point = 2 Hilton points).
You can read more about How to earn Amex Points: 7 easy ways to maximize Membership Rewards here.
However, the best way to earn Hilton points is through Hilton cobranded credit cards. Such as the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card or Hilton Honors American Express Aspire® Card. Those often come with free night certificates or high welcome bonuses.
You can read more about How to Book a Hotel with Hilton Points: Step-by-Step Guide here.
Redemption rates fluctuate, but we found solid availability in the summer. If you have Hilton Gold or Diamond status, you’ll get added benefits like complimentary breakfast, upgrades (when available), and late checkout.
Check-in experience at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
We arrived in the afternoon after driving up from the SCHLOSS Roxburghe hotel. The Hilton Edinburgh Carlton sits on North Bridge, right between the Old Town and the Royal Mile, a prime location for exploring Edinburgh on foot.
Note that there’s no on-site parking at Hilton Carlton, so we left our car in a public garage about a 10-minute walk away.
The front desk staff were friendly, recognized our Gold status, and confirmed that our complimentary breakfast for all four of us was included.
Overall, check-in was smooth, and we were in our room within minutes.
Two Double Beds Guest Room at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Now, we booked a Two Double Beds Guest Room at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, which worked well for our family of four.
The room was spacious enough for a short stay, though the decor felt a bit dated compared to some newer Hilton properties. Still, the beds were comfortable, and we appreciated having space for everyone in one room, something not always easy to find in family hotels in Europe.
Our room faced the city and had everything we needed for a few nights, including a desk, mini fridge, and tea and coffee setup. The bathroom was clean and functional, with basic Hilton amenities.
Overall, it was a practical and comfortable base for exploring Edinburgh on foot.
Dining Options at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Dining at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton includes the elegant Nineteen Hundred Brasserie, which serves gourmet British cuisine and hosts wine tastings. The Nineteen Hundred Bar & Lounge provides a wide selection of drinks in a stylish setting. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
For breakfast at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, we enjoyed a generous buffet spread that exceeded our expectations.
There was an omelet station, pancakes, pastries, fruit, and even a mimosa station. It was complimentary for our family of four, thanks to our Hilton Gold status, and it turned out to be one of the better Hilton breakfasts we’ve had in the U.K.
Amenities at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Hilton Edinburgh Carlton offers:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fitness center (small but well equipped)
- Executive Lounge (for guests with access)
- Laundry service (we opted for a local laundromat instead—see below)
Keep in mind that there’s no pool or kids club at Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, but the central location makes it ideal for sightseeing families who plan to spend most of their time exploring.
Area attractions near Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
As Hilton Edinburgh Carlton is located in the Old Town of Edinburgh, everything we wanted to see was within walking distance:
- Edinburgh Castle: We joined a guided tour booked through the official website. Highly recommended for first-time visitors.
- Camera Obscura & World of Illusions: Right next to the castle; unfortunately, we ran out of time to visit.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse: The official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Beautiful and full of history.
- Scott Monument: Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city.
- Arthur’s Seat: A family-friendly hike for one of the best views in Edinburgh.
- Princes Street Gardens: Perfect for a stroll or picnic between sightseeing stops.
During our stay at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton, we found a few great local spots nearby worth mentioning.
Laundry Kafe (55 Clerk St) is a convenient laundry service in Edinburgh, perfect if you’re traveling longer or doing a road trip like we were. We dropped our clothes off and picked them up just 1.5 hours later, clean and folded.
Additionally, for dining, we really enjoyed a few restaurants within walking distance:
- Angels with Bagpipes: A lovely spot for a nice dinner near the Edinburgh Royal Mile.
- The Devil’s Advocate: Great atmosphere, creative cocktails, and hearty food.
- Moo Pie Gelato: A must for dessert after exploring the city.
Everything was walkable from the hotel, which made our short stay in Edinburgh incredibly easy with kids.
Bottom line
In conclusion, our family’s stay at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton was comfortable, convenient, and full of character. The hotel’s location in Edinburgh Old Town, steps from the Royal Mile, made it easy to explore the city on foot. The complimentary breakfast, central location, and ability to book an Edinburgh hotel on points made it an excellent value for families.
While the rooms at the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton could use a refresh, the friendly service, walkability, and Hilton Honors Gold perks more than made up for it. If you’re visiting Edinburgh with kids and want a family-friendly hotel near the Royal Mile, this Hilton Carlton Edinburgh review shows why it’s a great choice.
