A boutique hotel and bar set inside a grand former bank on the High Street, right at the heart of the Royal Mile. The nine rooms sit above the buzzy ground-floor bar, so you are sleeping directly over one of the busiest streets in the Old Town.
Location & Setting
The Inn On The Mile occupies the old Bank of Scotland building on the corner of the High Street and North/South Bridge – arguably the most central address on the Royal Mile. You step out of the door onto the cobbles halfway between Edinburgh Castle (a 10-minute uphill walk) and the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the bottom of the Mile. Waverley Station is a five-minute walk down the hill via Cockburn Street, and the Grassmarket, National Museum of Scotland and Princes Street are all within ten minutes on foot. This is a location you pay a premium for: almost every major Old Town sight is on the doorstep, and you rarely need a bus or taxi during a city break.
Rooms & Vibe
The nine rooms are named after Scottish rivers and lochs and lean into the building’s heritage – high ceilings, sash windows and marble touches from its banking days, paired with modern bathrooms and comfortable beds. The ground floor is a proper bar and bistro under a soaring former banking hall, popular with locals as well as guests, serving cocktails, Scottish beers and food through the day. It is stylish and characterful rather than quiet: expect atmosphere rather than a hushed retreat.
Who It Suits
Ideal for couples and friends who want to be in the thick of the Old Town and value walking everywhere over peace and quiet. Light sleepers should ask for a room away from the street and bar, as the High Street stays lively into the evening – if you want the same central buzz with a calmer night, the rooftop-focused Market Street Hotel or the lavish suites at The Witchery by the Castle are worth comparing.
Practical Tips
- Request an upper-floor or rear room if you are a light sleeper – the bar and street are lively
- No on-site parking; use the nearby NCP or arrive by train to Waverley (5 min walk)
- The ground-floor bar gets busy in the evenings – book a table if you want to eat in
- Great base for the Fringe in August, but book far ahead and expect street noise
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Inn On The Mile good for a first visit to Edinburgh?
Yes – it is one of the most central places to stay in the Old Town, within a 10-minute walk of the Castle, Royal Mile sights, Waverley Station and Princes Street, so you can explore on foot without transport.
Is it noisy?
It can be. The rooms sit above a popular bar on the busy High Street, so light sleepers should request a quieter room at the back or on a higher floor.
