Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh: Location, Breakfast and Rates

Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh sits at 43 Jeffrey Street in the city’s historic Old Town, putting guests within a two‑minute walk of Waverley Station and a short uphill stroll to Edinburgh Castle, according to its official website. This guide pulls together verified location data, operational details from the hotel operator, and guest feedback from major review platforms to help you decide if this central hotel fits your trip.

Last checked: 2026-09-01

Address: Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh, Scotland (Old Town) · Nearest railway station: Edinburgh Waverley Station · Walking time to station: Less than 5 minutes · Cheapest night to book: Sunday (average €181) · Most expensive night to book: Thursday (average €577) · Official website: leonardo-hotels.com/edinburgh/leonardo-royal-hotel-edinburgh

Where is the Leonardo Hotel in Edinburgh?

Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh stands at 43 Jeffrey Street, a quiet lane that leads directly off the Royal Mile, the historic spine of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Its postcode is EH1 1DH. The hotel’s official site describes it as “in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, just off the Royal Mile,” with Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre all within walking distance. (Leonardo Hotels)

Address and neighbourhood

The building sits on the south‑eastern edge of the Old Town, a short step from the Waverley Station entrance. Princes Street, the city’s main shopping thoroughfare, is a five‑minute walk across the North Bridge. The neighbourhood is lively but the hotel itself is set back slightly from the busiest tourist routes, which reviewers note helps keep street noise manageable. Two Tripadvisor reviewers described the location as “handy for the station” and “directly across the street from Waverley”. (Tripadvisor)

Proximity to Royal Mile and top attractions

The Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse; the hotel’s Jeffrey Street entrance connects to the Mile within half a block. Walking to the National Museum of Scotland takes about 8 minutes, and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre is a 10‑minute stroll west. According to Expedia’s property listing, the hotel is “within a short walk of key central Edinburgh attractions including the Royal Mile, Princes Street shopping, and the University of Edinburgh.” (Expedia)

What this means: the hotel’s location is almost perfectly central for first‑time visitors who want to see the Old Town’s highlights on foot.

How far is Leonardo Hotel Edinburgh from the train station?

The hotel claims a two‑minute walk from Waverley Station, and multiple booking platforms agree. The official location page states: “Waverley Rail Station is just a 2‑minute walk away.” (Leonardo Hotels – Location page) Trivago’s listing describes the property as “adjacent or very close to Edinburgh Waverley Station” with typical walking times of 2–5 minutes. (Trivago)

Distance to Waverley Station

From the station’s main concourse, guests exit onto Waverley Bridge, then cross Market Street onto Jeffrey Street. The entire route is under 200 metres, flat and fully paved. For those arriving via Haymarket Station (the city’s second rail hub), the hotel is a 15‑minute taxi ride or a 20‑minute walk through the West End. The hotel’s official site notes that “discounted parking is available at Waverley Station car park across the road,” making it convenient for drivers arriving by train. (Leonardo Hotels – Location page)

Connection to Haymarket Station

Haymarket serves trains from Glasgow and the north‑west, but most intercity services call at both stations. For guests arriving into Haymarket, the 22 and 26 Lothian Buses run directly to Waverley Station every 5–10 minutes; the journey takes about 10 minutes. The bottom line: the hotel is arguably the closest full‑service hotel to Edinburgh’s primary railway station, a clear advantage for rail travellers.

How far is Leonardo Royal Hotel from Edinburgh Castle?

Edinburgh Castle sits atop Castle Rock, about 1 km up the Royal Mile from the hotel. Hotels.com cites a walking time of 10–12 minutes “uphill,” which matches the experience of most guests. (Hotels.com) The walk takes you past St Giles’ Cathedral and the heart of the Royal Mile, passing dozens of shops, pubs and historic closes.

Walking distance to Edinburgh Castle

To reach the castle, walk up the Royal Mile from the Jeffrey Street junction. The route is cobbled and inclines steadily; fit walkers manage it in 8–10 minutes, while families with pushchairs or visitors with mobility needs may take 15 minutes. There are benches and cafés along the way. The ascent is entirely on pedestrian‑friendly streets.

Alternative routes and landmarks

A slightly flatter alternative is to walk via the Grassmarket, which loops around the south side of Castle Rock and adds about 5 minutes. The Grassmarket offers more dining and pub options, including the historic Maggie Dickson’s pub, but the direct Royal Mile route remains the simplest. The implication: the castle is easily reachable on foot, and the walk is part of the Edinburgh tourist experience, not a chore.

What kind of breakfast does Leonardo Hotel Royal Edinburgh serve?

Leonardo Hotels specifies breakfast service hours: 7:00–10:00 AM Monday to Friday, and 7:00–11:00 AM on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. (Leonardo Hotels) The breakfast is a buffet, with hot and cold options that include cooked items, cereals, pastries, fruit and beverages. One Tripadvisor reviewer described it as “good and plentiful but a limited choice of teas.” (Tripadvisor)

Breakfast options and times

Beyond the buffet, the hotel’s on‑site restaurant also serves lunch and dinner, but breakfast is the most frequently discussed meal in guest reviews. The buffet typically includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, baked beans, toast, yogurt, and a selection of juices and hot drinks. Multiple reviews across Booking.com and TripAdvisor mention the breakfast as “good value” and “reasonable quality.”

Included or extra cost

Breakfast is not automatically included in the room rate. Guests can book a “room only” rate or a “bed and breakfast” package. The price for the breakfast supplement – when not included – is not officially published on the hotel’s site, but an individual Tripadvisor review from 2015 noted a cost of about £8 per person. Current pricing may differ, so guests should confirm at booking. The catch: if you want breakfast, book the inclusive rate in advance to avoid paying a higher walk‑in price.

Pros and cons at a glance

Drawing from verified facts and aggregated guest sentiment, here are the main advantages and potential drawbacks of Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh.

Pricing – what to expect

Rates at Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh fluctuate significantly by day of the week. According to Kayak’s 12‑month pricing data, Sunday nights tend to be the most affordable, while Thursday nights are the most expensive. The hotel is positioned as a mid‑range option for central Edinburgh, offering standard double rooms and suites. As with most city‑centre hotels, booking directly on the official site often comes with a best‑rate guarantee. Comparisons on platforms like Booking.com and Expedia show that prices rise during the festival season (August) and around Hogmanay, so early booking is advised for those periods.

Getting there and getting around

By train: from Waverley Station, exit onto Waverley Bridge, turn right onto Market Street, then left onto Jeffrey Street – total walking time less than 2 minutes. By car: the nearest long‑stay car park is Waverley Station car park, offering discounted rates for hotel guests. The hotel has no on‑site parking; the official location page directs guests to the station car park. By tram: the Edinburgh tram line runs from the airport to York Place, a 10‑minute walk from the hotel. By bus: Lothian Buses 22 and 26 stop at Waverley Station, a 2‑minute walk away.

Alternatives worth considering

If the Leonaro Royal Hotel Edinburgh doesn’t perfectly match your preferences, the Old Town offers several other hotels within a 5‑minute walk of the Royal Mile. For a quieter stay away from the station noise, consider The Murrayfield Hotel – a different neighbourhood but a comparable mid‑range experience (The Murrayfield Hotel Review). If you want to stay close to Princes Street and prefer a more formal setting, hotels like the Queens Hotel Leeds (though in a different city) share similar positioning as city‑centre mid‑range options (Queens Hotel Leeds Reviews).