Southside Guest House > Arthur's Seat

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Key details

About the Hotel

8 Newington Road, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Close to the National Museum of Scotland

Very good

7.9

8.0

/10

4.3

4.5

Loved by Southside Guest House guests

Charming building
Attentive staff
Clean apartment
Walkable distance
All amenities

"The breakfast is to die for."

Giorgia from United Kingdom

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"There are USB ports for charging of devices which was much appreciated since I forgot the power adaptor for my devices."

su-anngoh from Singapore

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"Rooms was very clean, all the facilities you would need."

Peter

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3-star guest house in Edinburgh with hearty breakfast

Location

Southside Guest House is centrally positioned in Edinburgh, within walking distance of key attractions. Guests can reach Arthur's Seat and the University of Edinburgh in under ten minutes on foot. The diverse area features various restaurants and bars, catering to a range of tastes.

Rooms

The hotel offers a variety of well-appointed rooms, all with en suite showers. The Mackintosh and Terrace Rooms provide four-poster beds, adding to the selection of accommodations. Rooms include large deluxe options, twin layouts, and single accommodations, catering to different guest needs.

Dining

Southside Guest House serves a traditional British breakfast sourced from local ingredients. The breakfast menu includes items such as smoked salmon with scrambled eggs and an extensive cold buffet featuring fresh fruits and bakery goods. All meals are prepared with an emphasis on quality and variety.

Accessibility

Public transport options are readily available, with Edinburgh Airport accessible in 30 minutes. Frequent bus services connect guests to various parts of the city, with the Airlink 100 express service offering direct routes to city center locations. Additionally, taxi services are efficient and convenient.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors at Southside can explore several cultural and historic sites within a short walk. Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Grassmarket are all accessible in under 25 minutes. The Meadows and Holyrood Park offer green spaces for leisure and recreation.

Highlights

Location: Close to Arthur's Seat and the University of Edinburgh

Rooms: Four Poster Bedrooms available

Dining: Southside breakfast with local ingredients

Accessibility: 30 minutes from Edinburgh Airport

Must-do experiences

Visit the Royal Botanic Garden for stunning flora and tranquility.
Try haggis at The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh's oldest pub.
Wander through the vibrant Stockbridge Markets on Sundays.
Explore the quirky Camera Obscura for fun optical illusions.
Discover the hidden gems of the Scottish National Gallery's collection.

Location: Great

8.4/10Review score

See hotel location on map

Guest Emotional Experience

Away at HomeHome away!

“The staff were really kind and made us feel welcomed.”

Andrea from Spain

Quiet Nights for Busy DaysQuiet comfort

“The room was comfortable with the usual amenities - a TV, kettle, coffee and tea, hairdryer, towel, shampoo and body soap.”

su-anngoh from Singapore

Shine on SocialsPicture-perfect

“This airy and welcoming gem was perfect for our last night in Scotland.”

Jessica from United States

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Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

Single Room

2 persons

130 sq. feet

1 Single bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Twin Room

2 persons

220 sq. feet

2 Single beds

Shower

Heating

room details

Double Room

2 persons

220 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Four Poster Bedroom

2 persons

240 sq. feet

1 Double bed

Shower

Heating

room details

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Check Dates & Room Rates

See what's available for your travel dates

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Facilities: Very good

7.8/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Off-site car park
No pets allowed
Luggage storage

Sports & Fitness

Water sports

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Children

Cots

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Sitting area

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

AM/FM alarm clock

Southside Guest House Location

8 Newington Road, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Map view

8 Newington Road, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

City landmarks

Museum

Edinburgh Castle

1.3 mi

Landmark

Arthur's Seat hike

1.1 mi

Museum

National Museum of Scotland

3900 ft

Landmark

The Real Mary King's Close

5200 ft

Palace

Palace of Holyroodhouse

1.3 mi

Gallery

Scottish National Gallery

1.2 mi

Landmark

Royal Mile

1.1 mi

Church

St Giles' Cathedral

4800 ft

Park

Princes Street Gardens

1.2 mi

Store

Edinburgh Old Town

1.0 mi

Museum

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

1.2 mi

Landmark

Surgeons' Hall Museums

3300 ft

Landmark

Calton Hill

1.3 mi

Museum

Museum of Childhood

5000 ft

Museum

Dynamic Earth

1.1 mi

Monument

Scott Monument

1.2 mi

Landmark

Brass Rubbing Centre

4700 ft

Museum

John Knox House

5100 ft

Museum

The Writers' Museum

1.1 mi

Landmark

The Meadows

3300 ft

Church

Mercat Cross

4200 ft

Landmark

Nelson Monument

1.4 mi

Cemetery

The Robertson Mausoleum

4500 ft

Museum

Gladstone's Land

1.1 mi

Square

Grassmarket

1.1 mi

Park

Holyrood Park

1.4 mi

Landmark

Armstrong's Vintage

1.0 mi

Library

National Library of Scotland

5000 ft

University

University of Edinburgh

1.1 mi

Nearby

1 Summerhall

Summerhall

1200 ft

Restaurants

Apiary Restaurant

100 ft

33 Newington Road

Verdo BBQ Restaurant

100 ft

21 Newington Road

Southpour

200 ft

1-5 Newington Road Newington

Annakut Restaurant

100 ft

13 Newington Road

Los Argentinos

400 ft

28-30 West Preston Street

Ristorante Isola

400 ft

85-87 Newington Road

Voujon

500 ft

107 Newington Road

Thai-Laos

900 ft

49-51 Causewayside

Hanedan Restaurant

700 ft

41 West Preston Street

August_21 Coffee House

700 ft

89 Causewayside

Korean BBQ

900 ft

6-8 Salisbury Place

The Urban Fox

800 ft

19-21 Causewayside

Damm27

800 ft

27 Causewayside

Explore Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

25 minutes' walk

Iconic fortress with stunning views, rich history, and the Stone of Destiny. Home to the Crown Jewels.

National Museum of Scotland

15 minutes' walk

Extensive exhibits covering Scottish history and culture. Free admission on most days.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

25 minutes' walk

The official residence of the Queen in Scotland, filled with art, gardens, and royal history.

Arthur's Seat

20 minutes' walk

An ancient volcano offering breathtaking hikes and panoramic views of the city.

Edinburgh Bike Tours

15 minutes' walk

Guided bike tours available for exploring the city. Family-friendly and easy rentals provided.

Yoga & Wellness Classes

10 minutes' walk

Relaxing yoga sessions at local studios. Ideal for unwind time after a day of touring.

Hiking at Holyrood Park

20 minutes' walk

Thrilling hiking routes through beautiful landscapes with varied difficulty levels.

Apiary Restaurant

1 minute' walk

Contemporary dining with an innovative menu. Locally sourced ingredients and a cozy atmosphere.

Southpour

1 minute' walk

Casual eatery with a vibrant bar scene. Known for craft beers and comfort food options.

Annakut Restaurant

1 minute' walk

Authentic Indian cuisine in a warm ambiance. Specializes in vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Summerhall

5 minutes' walk

Arts venue hosting diverse performances from theater to dance. Offers unique cultural experiences.

The Bongo Club

15 minutes' walk

Lively nightclub with eclectic music and vibrant atmosphere. Regular events suitable for all ages.

Getting around

City Centre

Edinburgh17 min · 4600 ft

Airports

Edinburgh (EDI)22 min · 9.1 mi

Glasgow (GLA)145 min · 59.7 mi

Bus

Bus stop8 min · 2000 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.

Children & extra beds

Maximum capacity of extra beds in a room is 1.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

Southside Guest House offers traditionally styled rooms, some with access to a small, tranquil garden, reflecting the city's character. Many guests appreciate the spacious rooms and modern bathrooms, finding them well-equipped with amenities like tea and coffee facilities, as well as complimentary water. The location is also a plus, with the Royal Mile and Holyroodhouse about a 20-minute walk away, and convenient bus access to the city centre; though some have noted that certain rooms could benefit from some upgrades. Guests can also enjoy breakfast at the romantic breakfast room, or find excellent dining options just across the street at South Pour.

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Review score

Based on 415 verified reviews

7.9/10

Very good

79%

Recommend

Breakfast

9.1/10

Free Wi-Fi

9.0/10

Value for money

7.5/10

Facilities

7.8/10

Pros

Great location

Comfortable bed

Delicious breakfast

Quiet interior

Kind staff

Cons

Overpriced room

Stuffy room

Faulty shower door

John from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 31, 2026

9/10

surprised by how lovely it was

short walkcomplimentary teamodern bathroom

location was good. it was a short walk to many main attractions. the room had a tv and complimentary tea. the bathroom was modern and clean.

no negatives here

0 Helpful

Logan from United Kingdom

Single

double room

4 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: January 08, 2026

6/10

central locationno elevatorunavailable staff

The location was pretty central. It was within walking distance of several attractions.

i barely saw staff , i needed help carrying my heavy suitcase from the third floor since there was no elevator and no one was available. i had to pay the taxi driver to carry my suitcase. it was disappointing.

0 Helpful

Sara from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: December 16, 2025

9/10

a clean and quiet stay

great locationclean roomsmall room

the location was fabulous i received a message with key information before arrival. my room was lovely and clean it felt very comfortable. i had a good sleep.

the room was not ready when i arrived i had to wait a couple of hours. the room was much smaller than expected it could not accommodate a desk.

Dining

9/10

there are many shops bars and restaurants close to the hotel. it is a short walk to various dining options. guests have access to a wide array of choices.

0 Helpful

Jordan from United States

Couple

Double Room

1 night in November 2025

Reviewed: December 05, 2025

9.0/10

Excellent Value and Convenient Location

cozy roomgreat shower pressurecomfortable bedfriendly staff

The large double room was cozy and warm. Shower pressure worked well, and the bed offered great comfort. I found it convenient to log into my own Netflix account on the TV. The staff I encountered was friendly and helpful.

I noticed some stains on the curtains. A refurbishment would improve the look.

Dining

8/10

Although breakfast was not served, many eateries are nearby, providing several choices. Guests can easily find restaurants and cafes within walking distance, ensuring convenient dining options.

Facilities

9/10

The hotel provided luggage storage before check-in and after check-out, very convenient. This service allowed me to explore the area without the burden of my bags.

Rooms

10/10

The room was very clean, spacious and warm. There was also a tea tray, which allowed me to make hot drinks. The en suite bathroom was a plus.

Location

9/10

The hotel is on many bus routes for getting to the center. A bus stop is directly across the road, convenient. The city center is only about 20 minutes away.

0 Helpful

Richard from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: November 09, 2025

8/10

window shuttersfresh bottle

the room had original window shutters they kept the room dark. i also liked the fresh bottle of water left with our tea and coffee tray

the curtains had stains the ceiling was damaged

0 Helpful

Neil from Australia

Couple

Double Room

4 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: September 27, 2025

8.8/10

Wonderful Stay!

key safebright roomgreat locationfaulty door

I collected keys from a key safe at the front door upon arrival. The bright room was lovely! The location provides easy access to shops and restaurants. I found many buses available to get to the city centre. I will definitely consider staying again if I'm in the area.

The bathroom door did not close properly. It caused a little inconvenience. I think some minor maintenance is required. It was not a deal-breaker, but I hope they address it.

Rooms

9/10

The Double Room had bright décor. It included fresh linens and comfortable furnishings. The room had ample space for luggage and movement.

Facilities

8/10

Key safe entry ensured flexible check-in. The accommodation offered complimentary Wi-Fi access. There was a designated area for tourist information, and it helped plan activities.

Location

9/10

The location is very central. It is near many local shops and dining places. Bus stops nearby provide transport to the city centre areas.

Dining

8/10

Many nearby restaurants offer different cuisine options. Several cafes offer pastries and light meals. The diverse options cater to varied tastes.

Service

10/10

Communication via email provided clear instructions. Staff offered quick responses to questions. They are maintaining a clean and cute atmosphere.

0 Helpful

Stephen from United Kingdom

Single

Double Room

3 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: September 19, 2025

7/10

spacious roomlovely bathroomgreat locationstained curtainsdamaged ceilingrubbish garden

The room was quite spacious. A nice bathroom with a great shower was present. The location allowed me easy access to public transport.

My room's curtains had some stains, and a damaged ceiling made the room look a bit worn. I also noticed some rubbish in the front garden. The pillows could definitely use an upgrade.

0 Helpful