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Guest house · Edinburgh · Edinburgh

Ivy House

A small, centrally placed guest house with a high staff rating and easy access to theatres, shops and transport.

  • 5-minute walk to King's Theatre
  • Central Edinburgh location
  • Friendly, helpful staff (rated 8.5)
7.5 Very good 322 reviews Booking.com 7.5 · 322 reviews

About

Ivy House

Ivy House is a small guest house on Gilmore Place, roughly a 5-minute walk from King's Theatre and about 20 minutes on foot from the Scottish National Gallery. With only nine rooms, it operates on a more personal scale than larger hotels in the city. The property is about 15 km from Edinburgh Airport.

Guests consistently highlight the location and the staff. The owner is described as friendly and accommodating, and the self check-in process is praised for being clear. The en-suite bathrooms are frequently mentioned as new and clean, and the beds are called comfortable. This is a straightforward, no-frills base for exploring the city centre.

  • No smoking on site
  • Free Wi-Fi in public areas
  • No pets allowed
  • Heating

In brief

What works, what to weigh

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Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Central location within easy reach of theatres and galleries — A 5-minute walk to King's Theatre and about 20 minutes to the Scottish National Gallery, with many restaurants and shops nearby.
  • Highly rated staff and owner — Guests repeatedly describe the owner as friendly, helpful and accommodating, and staff score 8.5 in the rating categories.
  • Comfortable, clean rooms with new en-suite bathrooms — Reviews highlight comfortable beds and clean rooms, with several noting the en-suite bathrooms feel new and fresh.
  • Clear self check-in process — The self check-in instructions are described as clear and hassle-free, making arrival easy even outside staffed hours.
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Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • Small property with limited facilities — With only nine rooms, the guest house has a minimal amenity set – no on-site parking, no pets, and no air conditioning listed. Facilities are basic.
  • Mixed condition in common areas — At least one review notes chipped paint in the common areas, suggesting the public spaces are not as polished as the rooms.
  • Narrow check-in window — Check-in is limited to 14:00–18:00, which may be inconvenient if you arrive later in the evening, though self check-in may mitigate this.
  • No dedicated parking — No parking information is provided, so if you're driving you may need to arrange parking nearby independently.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Twin Room

  • 2 Single beds,2 Double beds,1 Bunk bed

Private Bathroom Twin Room

  • 1 Bunk bed,2 Single beds
  • Private bathroom

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

Essentials

  • Heating
  • Free Wi-Fi in public areas

Policies

  • No smoking on site
  • No pets allowed

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

7.5
Very good 322 reviews

Guest-rated 7.5/10 from 322 reviews

Booking.com · 7.5 · 322 reviews
7.5Verified guest

“The location was handy for restaurants, the city centre, a cinema, and plenty of shops.”

7.5Verified guest

“A bus stop was just a short walk from the hotel.”

7.5Verified guest

“The bed was comfortable and the room was clean.”

7.5Verified guest

“Central location, comfortable room with the essentials. Clear self check-in instructions. The owner was friendly and helpful. The room was quiet with a new en-suite bathroom. Close to amenities and dining.”

7.5Verified guest

“The hotel was just off a cinema, many restaurants and shops. The room was clean with a comfy bed. The city centre location was nice.”

7.5Verified guest

“Comfortable bed and a clean room.”

04 — Location

Getting around Edinburgh

The property sits in Edinburgh.

King's Theatre: Just a 5-minute walk away, this is a convenient spot for an evening show or performance.

Scottish National Gallery: Around a 20-minute walk from the guest house, the gallery offers a significant collection of art in the city centre.

Dining and shopping: Guests consistently note a range of restaurants, shops and a cinema within walking distance, making it easy to find food and entertainment.

Public transport: A bus stop is a short walk away, with multiple routes nearby, providing easy access to the rest of the city and the airport.

26 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH3 9NQ, United Kingdom

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 14:00-18:00
Check-out
By 04:00-10:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
6 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 14:00 to 18:00, and check-out is from 04:00 to 10:00.

Is there parking available at the hotel?

No parking information is provided for this property, so you may need to arrange parking nearby independently.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed at the property.

What amenities are available in the rooms?

Rooms come with heating and free Wi-Fi in public areas. Some rooms have a private bathroom, and the property is non-smoking throughout.

How far is it to the airport?

Edinburgh Airport is about 15 km from the guest house.

Is there a self check-in option?

Yes, guests have mentioned in reviews that clear self check-in instructions are provided, making arrival easier.

Nearby

Other top-rated stays in Edinburgh

Want a different style or budget? Here are more highly-rated options in the area.

7.9

Hillhouse

Guest-rated 7.9/10 — among the top stays in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh

7

Haymarket Hostel

Guest-rated 7/10 — among the top stays in Edinburgh.

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The bottom line

A solid, well-located base for exploring central Edinburgh, especially if you value a friendly host and clean, comfortable rooms over extensive facilities. The small scale and basic amenities mean it suits travellers who plan to spend most of their time out and about.

7.5Best for: city explorers who want a simple, friendly stay near the action.

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