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The Witchery

352 Castlehill The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF Scotland
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Traveller (1543)
Room & Suite (708)
Dining (208)
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About

#46 of 161 hotels in Edinburgh
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Travellers' Choice
Hidden in a collection of historic buildings at the gates to Edinburgh Castle, James Thomson's Witchery is the most spectacularly atmospheric destination in the city. The stunning decor and legendary food have ensured the Witchery has become a much loved Edinburgh institution. Dine in the rich baroque surroundings of the original oak-panelled Witchery or among the elegant candle-lit charms of the Secret Garden. There are 9 theatrical suites - perfect for those looking to stay in the most indulgent settings. Lavishly decorated, our suites scream romance with a capital R! Whether you stay or dine The Witchery is an unforgettably magical experience.
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Property amenities
Paid public parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Free breakfast
Free shuttle or taxi services
Adults only
24-hour security
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary tea
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Airport transportation
Taxi service
Baggage storage
Concierge
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Doorperson
First aid kit
Umbrella
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
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Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Dining area
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Bath / shower
Fireplace
Housekeeping
Safe
Seating area
Separate dining area
Separate living room
Sofa
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Iron
Laptop safe
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Flatscreen TV
On-demand films
Radio
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
City view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
5.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Quaint
Historic Hotel
Languages Spoken
English, French, Spanish
1,896Review23Q+A100Room tips

Reviews
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Alison L wrote a review 11 Mar
Scotland24 contributions20 helpful votes
I celebrate each passing year here. It takes the sting out of my decline into decrepitude that each birthday marks. Everything is excellent, and everyone should spend at least one night of their lives luxuriating in the experience that is The Witchery.
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Date of stay: March 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Sarah B wrote a review 7 Mar
Bristol, United Kingdom7 contributions2 helpful votes
Wow - absolutely breath taking. We stayed here for two nights for my 30th birthday and had the most incredible time. We stayed in the Old Rectory and every detail was absolutely perfect. The room was so beautiful with so much going on but absolutely spotlessly clean. It was an amazing experience. We ate breakfast on two days and had dinner on one day and wow, what can I say! The food was incredible and all the members of staff were so lovely and helpful and nothing was too much trouble. The location is incredible and really set the bar high for my first trip to Edinburgh!
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Chastidyi wrote a review 2 Mar
Seymour, Tennessee357 contributions79 helpful votes
+1
This place was recommended to us by a local. It’s cute and spooky. The staff is amazing, and the food is incredible. If you want delicious food and a great atmosphere, this is the place for you. Perfect for a date night. We had the crab cake and raviolo. The crab cake was light and tangy with some citrus flavor, and the raviolo was savory. We had the venison and vegetable lasagne as our meals, and the venison was my favorite. The cocktails were extraordinary. I will definitely visit again when we are back in Edinburgh.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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L C wrote a review Feb 2024
3 contributions2 helpful votes
I have eaten at The Witchery restaurant before and was intrigued to see what the rooms would be like. I was slightly concerned that the 'romantic' theme would translate into 'dark and dusty' but I need not have worried. We stayed in the Turret room (not one for people with mobility challenges - as the name suggests it is up a turret staircase) and the suite was amazing! Very spacious, which felt like true luxury in such an amazing location by the Castle. The furniture, whilst mostly antique in age, has been carefully selected to be comfortable, sumptuous and atmospheric. The room had all the mod-cons you'd expect and more (Dyson hairdryer - nice) without taking away from olde-worldy feel. The staff were lovely: friendly and helpful. The breakfast in the old restaurant was also amazing - and I was grateful for the low lighting having enjoyed the arrival bottle of champagne the night before!
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Nora F wrote a review Feb 2024
2 contributions
My husband and I have stayed at The Witchery on two occasions: in December of 2019 and in February of 2024. Both instances have been among the most memorable and romantic of our lives, which is a testament to the utterly unique and truly magical experience that this beautiful place provides. I cannot recommend this incredibly place enough, and I will attempt to recount some of its virtues, though I doubt I will be able truly to do it justice. Our first stay was for our long-awaited honeymoon in 2019, in the Old Rectory suite. I found The Witchery online while doing travel research and booked it as a surprise for the night of our actual wedding anniversary. I told my husband absolutely nothing about the place so it would be a complete surprise, and I am so glad I did. The look on his face when they took us to our suite is one that I will never forget. He was in absolute awe, completely astonished by the splendor of the place. He could scarcely believe it was real, much less a place that we get to stay! Even having seen the photographs myself, I was also stunned. Pictures simply do not do the atmosphere justice. It exceeded my wildest expectations, not just in terms of the physical space but in the experience as a whole.The grandeur of the place, especially after a day touring castles and cathedrals, makes the guests feel as if they are part of the living history of Edinburgh. The room was absolutely gorgeous, with incredible attention to detail in every aspect. Despite how glamorous it was, it also felt incredibly comfortable and cozy. The furnishings (especially the bed), the view from the room, the gothic decor, the soaking bath with ample room for two, and the general atmosphere of the place made it the most elegant and romantic place imaginable. Not only was the room beyond beautiful and spacious, but the service was immaculate. The staff is incredibly welcoming, kind, and thoughtful at every turn. Absolutely nothing goes unnoticed or unthought of. Our suite was prepared with music playing, fresh flowers. and a chilled bottle of champagne (as well as still and sparkling water). Everyone we interacted with was incredibly helpful and accommodating, from the time of booking to the time of departure (and even afterwards when I followed up). The location also could not possibly be better; the entrance is mere steps from Edinburgh Castle and all the beautiful restaurants, pubs, and shops on the Royal Mile. Further still, our dinner in the candlelit, wood paneled dining room was incredible and provided an impeccable experience as well as one of the best meals of our lives. We recently (in February of 2024) had the opportunity to return to the UK for a work trip and immediately agreed that we had to return to The Witchery, a place we have since determined is one of our favorite places on the planet. This second time, we stayed in the Vestry suite, on the other side of the street but still a dream location. The room was just a little smaller than the Old Rectory suite, but still spacious enough and absolutely charming: secret doors, a private toilet, a roomy soaking tub, and gorgeous views of the Royal Mile. This time we were able to explore all the food options; we had dinner in the stunning, wood paneled dining room; lunch in the charming and richly decorated secret garden; and an additional a la carte breakfast the day of our departure in the dining room. Having experienced all the food options The Witchery has to offer, I must say that the quality of food is without rival. Every dish was absolute perfection, and the service was a dream. It occurs to me now that aside from a few short excursions to historic sites and pubs, our return to Edinburgh on this trip was singularly motivated by a desire to return to The Witchery. Returning here alone necessitated a return visit (and a 5-6 hour train ride from London). The only downside of a stay at The Witchery is leaving. Before we left, we started making plans to return as soon as possible for Hogmanay, which we did not get to enjoy our first time. We have already begun planning for this trip and hope one day to have the opportunity to stay in all of the incredible suites. Ultimately, I have no criticisms whatsoever and can only say that The Witchery is the most romantic hotel location in the most romantic city in the world. I have been fortunate enough to stay in many beautiful places, but they all fall utterly short and pale in comparison to The Witchery.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: The Witchery is a unique experience like no other. There is no parking, so be prepared to walk,...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Jaqueline P wrote a review Feb 2024
Witham, United Kingdom4 contributions1 helpful vote
+1
Faultless. The food was great and the service outstanding. Prices are a bit high but you most definitely get what you pay for and in this case it does not disappoint. Location and the building is a true reflection of what you will be about to experience.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Janine wrote a review Feb 2024
Scotland, United Kingdom46 contributions92 helpful votes
After having dinner here a few times was always on my bucket list to stay here so booked a night on the 13th February to celebrate my birthday. I had always wanted to book the Turret Suite and it did not disappoint! The largest room four poster bed , living area and most fabulous bathroom with free standing bath. It was fabulous. I booked this stay along time ago then I had email saying you can stay January and February for £200 less than I had payed. The hotel kindly gave us our £200 deposit as a voucher to be used for dinner. Dinner we booked The secret Garden which was lovely and gave us a really nice table .The only disappointment was they didn’t bring out a little birthday cake instead got a candle in my cheese😂 The only other negative of our stay was the mattress in my option needs renewing . But I absolutely loved celebrating my birthday here.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Alison W wrote a review Feb 2024
1 contribution
Contacted regarding a group of couples to book an early lunchtime slot for puddings / cheese boards. A blatant unable to accommodate. Shocking customer service- copy and repeated same reply onto second response. Have long looked forward to visiting this place, had saved it for a special occasion and now very upset and disappointed- however upon reading other reviews sounds like we have had a lucky escape. I will definitely not be recommending this place to anyone in the future.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip: Don’t bother - lots of lovely 😊 places to eat and drink in Edinburgh that will go out of their...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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goldie1911 wrote a review Feb 2024
London41 contributions8 helpful votes
+1
We had an incredible stay at The Witchery. We stayed in the Old Rectory suite and it exceeded our expectation and then some! The suite was huge with a bedroom, dining area, lounge and a very large bathroom. Fantastically presented but with superb modern touches too (my wife loved the GHD hair straighteners and Dyson hairdryer!). Plus, not forgetting the chilled champagne was waiting for us on arrival. From check in to check out we loved every minute.
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Date of stay: February 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Natasha R wrote a review Jan 2024
Blessington19 contributions9 helpful votes
We had an unforgettable night in the Witchery. The staff were friendly and very helpful. The food in the restaurant was delicious and the atmosphere was magic. Our room The Sempill was like stepping back in time in all the nicest ways. Nicest suite we have stayed in. We will definitely be back. The whole place is enchanting.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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PRICE RANGE
£448 - £799 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the witchery by the castle hotel edinburgh, witchery edinburgh, edinburgh witchery, witchery hotel edinburgh
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandEdinburghOld Town
NUMBER OF ROOMS
9
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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THE WITCHERY - Updated 2024 Reviews (Edinburgh)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Witchery
Which popular attractions are close to The Witchery?
Nearby attractions include National Museum of Scotland (0.3 miles), The Real Mary King's Close (0.2 miles), and Edinburgh Old Town (0.2 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Witchery?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free breakfast, and an on-site restaurant.
Which room amenities are available at The Witchery?
Top room amenities include air conditioning, a flat screen TV, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at The Witchery?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and complimentary tea during their stay.
Is parking available at The Witchery?
Yes, paid public parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to The Witchery?
Conveniently located restaurants include Quinn's Cafe, Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, and Doctors.
Does The Witchery have airport transportation?
Yes, The Witchery offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is The Witchery located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.5 miles away from the centre of Edinburgh.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Witchery?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at The Witchery?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and French.
Are there any historical sites close to The Witchery?
Many travellers enjoy visiting The Real Mary King's Close (0.2 miles), Palace of Holyroodhouse (0.9 miles), and Gladstone's Land (0.08 miles).