The Scholar

4.0 star property
Hotel with free parking, near Edinburgh Castle

Photo gallery for The Scholar

Exterior
Food and drink
Lobby lounge, garden views, open daily
Reception
Family Room

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Business services
The current price is AU$262
includes taxes & fees
7 Jan - 8 Jan 2026

Explore the area

View map
18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH16 5AY
  • Place, Holyrood Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Royal Commonwealth Pool
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Edinburgh
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Airport, Edinburgh (EDI)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Room options

Deluxe Double Room, Ensuite

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(21 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Free cots/infant beds
LCD TV
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
  • 13 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

Deluxe Twin Room, Ensuite

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(9 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Free cots/infant beds
LCD TV
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
  • 13 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Single Beds

Deluxe Double Room Single Use, Ensuite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
Free cots/infant beds
LCD TV
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
  • 13 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Double Bed

Deluxe Single Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(7 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
LCD TV
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
Laptop-compatible safe
  • 9 sq m
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Single Bed

Family Room

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)

Highlights

Heating
LCD TV
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Coffee/tea maker
Digital channels
Desk
Laptop-compatible safe
  • 13 sq m
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

Deluxe Double Room

  • Sleeps 2

Deluxe Single Room

  • Sleeps 1

Family Room

  • Sleeps 3

Deluxe Twin Room

  • Sleeps 2

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About the area

Edinburgh

The Scholar puts you in the centre of Edinburgh, 2.7 km (1.7 mi) from Edinburgh Castle and 2 km (1.2 mi) from Royal Mile. Highlights at this hotel include in-room free WiFi, free high-speed Internet and LCD TVs. .The restaurant, Abacus, is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Living Room is the hotel's own lobby lounge. Additionally, you'll find free Wi-Fi in public areas and a conference centre. Full breakfast is available on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM and on weekends between 7:30 AM and 10:30 AM. Bring your pet along and take advantage of this property's pet-friendly amenities, such as food and water bowls. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .Attractions within a 30-minute walk of this 4-property class Southside hotel include University of Edinburgh and Grassmarket.

What's nearby

  • John McIntyre Conference Centre - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Holyrood Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Royal Commonwealth Pool - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • The Meadows - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • University of Edinburgh - 12 min walk - 1.0 km

Getting around

  • Princes Street Tram Stop - 6 min drive
  • Newcraighall Station - 11 min drive
  • Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Abbey - ‬9 min walk
  • ‪Bar @ JMCC - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Southpour - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Pizza Hut - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Luxford Burgers and Lounge Bar - ‬10 min walk

About this property

The Scholar

Hotel with free parking, near Edinburgh Castle
There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Public spaces have free WiFi and wired Internet. The business-friendly The Scholar also features room service (during limited hours), a front desk safe, and a lift. Limited free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This 4-star Edinburgh hotel is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 72 guestrooms or units
  • 4 levels
  • Built in 1994
  • Charging station for electric cars
  • Conference centre
  • Breakfast available (surcharge)
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Front desk safe
  • Lift
  • No smoking on site
  • Bar or lounge
  • Dining venue
The Scholar offers 72 accommodations with laptop-compatible safes and coffee/tea makers. LCD televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include a shower, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers.

This Edinburgh hotel provides complimentary wired and wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones. Housekeeping is offered on a daily basis and fridges can be requested.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi and wired internet
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Food and drink

  • Full breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays and 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM on weekends; GBP 16.50 for adults and GBP 16.50 for children
  • A bar/lounge
  • A restaurant

Restaurants on site

  • Abacus
  • The Living Room

Things to do

  • Bicycle rentals

Family friendly

  • Refrigerator on request

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • Conference centre

Outdoors

  • In a nature reserve

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk

More

  • 1 building
  • 4 floors
  • Built in 1994
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • LCD TV with digital channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Limited room service
  • Refrigerator on request

More

  • Desk
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Laptop-compatible safe
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: midnight
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: GBP 30.00 per pet (varies based on length of stay)
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Food and water bowls are available
  • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for full breakfast: from approximately GBP 16.50 for adults and from GBP 16.50 for children
  • Pet fee: GBP 30.00 per pet (varies based on length of stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, debit cards and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and window guards in all accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

National rating

This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.

Property is also known as

Salisbury Green Hotel Bistro Edinburgh
Masson House Edinburgh
Masson House Hotel
Masson House Hotel Edinburgh
Masson House Edinburgh, Scotland
Masson House Edinburgh Scotland
Masson House B&B Edinburgh
Masson House B&B
Salisbury Green Hotel Bistro
Salisbury Green Bistro Edinburgh
Salisbury Green Bistro
The Scholar Hotel
The Scholar Edinburgh
The Scholar Hotel Edinburgh
Salisbury Green Hotel Bistro

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at The Scholar?

The Scholar offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at The Scholar?

As of 29 Dec 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Scholar on 7 Jan 2026 start from AU$262.27, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is parking available at The Scholar?

Yep, The Scholar has a free self car park. Onsite parking is limited.

Are there any beaches close to The Scholar?

The closest beach to The Scholar is Portobello Beach (4.3 km).

Does The Scholar serve breakfast?

Yep, full breakfast is offered weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM and on weekends from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Scholar?

No, The Scholar does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at The Scholar?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and an onsite restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Scholar?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at The Scholar?

Dogs are welcome at The Scholar, with food and water bowls on offer.

The Scholar Reviews

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 664 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 253 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 58 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 19 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 7 out of 1001 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.4/10

Staff & service

9.0/10

Amenities

9.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Mrs Caroline

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Be aware of some unhelpful changes

I've stayed at The Scholar for many year for a conference at the nearby conference centre. It had features that were helpful for a business stay: a very large desk area, and space to unpack business clothes. Sadly, my first room had neither of these features. The old drawer unit and desk area were gone, replaced by a very small desk/vanity unit. The small closet had an upright slot for an ironing board but the ironing board no longer fitted the slot but was using up the entire full-length hanging area. The amenities tray had moved from the previous drawer unit into the small wardrobe so any items hung in the wardrobe would dangle into cupsAnd a previous sensible chair to sit on at the large desk was replaced by a small round 'pouffe' stool. There are no drawers at all to unpack into, and there was nowhere (apart from the floor) to place a suitcase so that I could 'live out of my suitcase'. I protested to the 'client relationship manager' about these things and simply got a bland 'I'm sorry we can't meet your needs'. My first room was also on the top floor, and a heavy rain shower on the roof woke me up at 3am on my first night. So I asked to be moved. Imagine my surprise to discover that my new room had an appropriate ironing board so I could hang clothes, and also a suitcase stand! Plus they brought me a proper chair. So they were perfectly able to meet my needs, after all. Ask for a lower-floor room and a suitcase stand.
Unsteadily balancing my small suitcase on the pouffe that replaced the previously good office chair, as there was no suitcase stand or any other place to put my suitcase and no drawers to unpack into.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The property is good and the surroundings lovely. I did not like the room I was given. When I said this at reception I was assired it would be very somfortable but it was not. It is cramped and noisy and the shower took me by surprise and soaked the floor. If I have to have a room on the ground floor again I will not stay there. The breakfast is good.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Siddhartha, Sammamish

Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
The hotel was in a convenient location for us going to a wedding near by. Staff were helpful. Room was fine. Tea, etc were in the wardrobe well away from the coffee maker, so not logically placed relative to each other. Better to have the together to reduce searching. Bathroom door was awkwardly placed relative to its sink. Putting in a hand towel rail / hook by the sink would be sensible so a towel is close. It would be better to have a double mattress than two singles in a double room, with a double duvet. We hope these improvement ideas are helpful and put into your quality improvement plans.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ife, LONDON

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Good location for the uni, clean and comfortable

Great location for the conference venue at Edinburgh uni. Very clean and comfortable, would definitely stay here again
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Rod, Courtice

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice hotel nestled in the university environment. Great breakfasts at the Scott. Great location near Arthur’s seat and outside of the busy tourist areas. Would definitely return to this hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joanne

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Incredibly helpful and friendly staff!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kirankumar, Dublin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Right next to Uni campus, fantastic if you are dropping of kids to the Uni. Great toiletries, good breakfast options and very helpful staff!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Lovely place to stay, very comfortable and quiet. Handy to all the central offerings of Edinburgh - walkable and plenty of public transport nearby. We had a car and could park for free within the scholar grounds. Park like surroundings, good dining and drinks options (breakfast was so yummy) and the service from the staff was immaculate and so warm and friendly. Would stay again if in Edinburgh!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Moving in to Uni

Perfect spot to be based to move our daughter in to Pollock Halls at U of E. Great location to explore the city from as it mirrors what her expert will be.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Claire

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great hotel for visiting a kid at Pollack!

Great location for dropping a kid at Edinburgh University. Clean, large room. Incredibly friendly staff. I would highly recommend and will stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great breakfast, convenient for conference centre, short walk to centre of city, really great staff. Nice little bar too!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Nooruddin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bradley

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carlos

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Kuljinder

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Decent hotel with no major issues. Only drawbacks are no air conditioners and no complimentary water bottles supplied.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina Revelle, Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent stay at The Scholar

From the moment we arrived the stay at the Scholar was fabulous. Staff really looked after us, room was clean and spacious as was the rest of the hotel. Breakfast buffet style with pleny to choose from.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025