Hotels Near Edinburgh Playhouse: 5 Places to Stay for a Theatre Break
Seeing a musical or show at Edinburgh Playhouse and thinking about staying overnight? There are several hotels within easy walking distance of the theatre, making it simple to turn your performance into an Edinburgh theatre break.
We’ve picked five hotels near Edinburgh Playhouse to suit different types of theatre trip, from a special occasion to a simple overnight stay.
The Glasshouse
📍 2 Greenside Pl, Edinburgh
🚶 Around a 1 minute walk
⭐ Best for: A special theatre break
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or simply want to make your theatre trip feel a little more special, The Glasshouse is hard to beat for location. The five-star hotel sits on Greenside Place, immediately beside Edinburgh Playhouse. That means you can enjoy your performance and be back at your hotel within minutes of leaving the theatre.
Despite its central location, one of the hotel’s standout features is its rooftop garden, which offers a surprising sense of space in the middle of Edinburgh. Its location also puts you close to St James Quarter, Princes Street and the New Town, so it works well if you’re staying for more than just the night of your show.
Good choice for: Couples, special occasions and luxury theatre breaks.
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre
📍 16-22 Picardy Pl, Edinburgh
🚶 Around a 1-2 minutes walk
⭐ Best for: Convenience
If your priority is simply being very close to Edinburgh Playhouse, Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre is an obvious option. The hotel is on Picardy Place, just a short walk from the theatre.
This makes it particularly useful for a one-night theatre break. You can check in, head out for dinner, enjoy your show and return to the hotel without having to think about taxis or public transport afterwards. Breakfast is also included for hotel guests, which can make the following morning straightforward before you continue exploring Edinburgh or travel home.
Good choice for: Short stays, practical theatre breaks and convenience.
Hotel Indigo Edinburgh
📍 51-59 York Pl, Edinburgh
🚶 Around a few minutes walk
⭐ Best for: A stylish city break
Hotel Indigo Edinburgh is another excellent option if you want to stay close to the Playhouse without choosing a large, traditional hotel. Located on York Place, it’s only a few minutes from the theatre and puts you within easy reach of the New Town and central Edinburgh.
The individually styled rooms take inspiration from Edinburgh and give the hotel a little more personality, making this a good option for couples or anyone turning their musical into a city break. You’re also close enough to return to your room easily after an evening performance.
Good choice for: Couples, weekend breaks and visitors wanting something with a little more character.
Roomzzz Edinburgh
📍 Saint James Quarter, Leith
🚶 Around a few minutes walk
⭐ Best for: Longer stays and extra space
If you’d prefer something slightly different from a standard hotel room, Roomzzz Edinburgh is worth considering. Located within St James Quarter, the aparthotel is close to Edinburgh Playhouse while also putting shops, restaurants and the wider city centre on your doorstep.
The rooms include kitchen facilities, which can be particularly useful if you’re staying for several nights or simply like having more flexibility during a city break. This could also suit visitors who are combining a musical with a longer Edinburgh stay rather than travelling to the city purely for one evening.
Good choice for: Longer stays, couples and visitors wanting aparthotel facilities.
Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh
📍 1 – 3 Baxter’s Pl, Edinburgh
🚶 Around a few minutes walk
⭐ Best for: A good all-round theatre break
Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh is on Baxter’s Place, just along from Edinburgh Playhouse. Its location makes it extremely convenient for the theatre while still working well as a base for exploring the rest of central Edinburgh.
You can easily combine your performance with dinner nearby, while St James Quarter, the New Town and other central areas are within easy reach. If you’re looking for a hotel that works equally well for the theatre night and the wider Edinburgh break, this is a strong all-round option.
Good choice for: Couples, weekend breaks and general theatre trips.
Which Edinburgh Playhouse Hotel Should You Choose?
All five hotels are close enough to make attending an Edinburgh Playhouse performance straightforward. Your choice really comes down to the type of trip you’re planning.
| If you’re looking for… | Consider… |
|---|---|
| 🥂 A special occasion | The Glasshouse |
| 📍 Maximum convenience | Holiday Inn Express |
| ⭐ A stylish city break | Hotel Indigo Edinburgh |
| 🏠 More space and flexibility | Roomzzz Edinburgh |
| 🎭 A good all-rounder | Courtyard by Marriott |
Don’t worry too much about saving one or two minutes of walking time. All five put you very close to the Playhouse.
Instead, compare the hotels based on your budget, length of stay and the kind of Edinburgh break you want.
Why Stay Near Edinburgh Playhouse?
The main advantage becomes obvious once your show finishes. Rather than leaving the theatre and immediately thinking about the last train, finding a taxi or travelling across Edinburgh, you can simply walk back to your hotel. Your evening becomes:
Hotel → Pre-Theatre Dinner → Edinburgh Playhouse → Hotel
And because Edinburgh Playhouse is centrally located, staying nearby still puts you in a good position for exploring the city. If you need information about the theatre itself, including seating, accessibility, travel and what’s coming up:
Where to Eat Before Your Show
Staying close to Edinburgh Playhouse also makes planning dinner much easier. There are plenty of restaurants within walking distance, so you can enjoy a proper pre-theatre meal without worrying about travelling across the city afterwards.We’ve put together a separate guide covering our recommended options:
Restaurants Near Edinburgh Playhouse
For more choices across the city:
Staying Somewhere Else in Edinburgh?
You certainly don’t have to stay beside the Playhouse.If you’re spending several nights in Edinburgh, another part of the city might work better for your overall visit.
For example, you might prefer to stay closer to Waverley if you’re arriving by train, or choose an area that puts more of your sightseeing plans within easy reach.
Our main accommodation guide will help you compare the different options:
FAQ
Choosing where to stay can be one of the biggest decisions when planning a theatre trip. These answers should help you narrow down which part of Edinburgh will work best for your visit.
Turn Your Edinburgh Playhouse Show Into a Theatre Break
Staying overnight gives you the chance to make much more of your visit. Arrive earlier, explore Edinburgh, enjoy dinner near the theatre and see your musical without worrying about rushing for the last train home. Then wake up the following morning with more of Edinburgh still to explore.
Plan Your Perfect Edinburgh Visit