Deluxe Suite Sempill
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
Hotel · Edinburgh · Edinburgh
The Witchery
A 5-star hotel on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh's Old Town, known for its theatrical baroque interiors and candlelit dining.
- On the Royal Mile, steps from Edinburgh Castle
- Themed deluxe suites with draped beds and antique furnishings
- In-room breakfast and a renowned on-site restaurant
8.9
Great
237 reviews
Booking.com 8.9 · 237 reviews
About
The Witchery
The Witchery sits on Castlehill at the top of the Royal Mile, in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. The hotel is known for its dramatic, baroque style — think dark wood, tapestries, and candlelight. Each suite has its own character, with names like the Guardroom and the Library, and several feature draped four-poster beds.
The on-site Secret Garden restaurant is a draw in its own right, serving dishes described by guests as exquisite and well thought out. Breakfast is served in the same atmospheric setting, with traditional and substantial options. The hotel offers 24-hour reception, free Wi-Fi, and luggage storage, and no pets are allowed on site.
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- No pets allowed
- Security
In brief
What works, what to weigh
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Strengths
4 reasons to book- Prime location on the Royal Mile — The hotel sits on Castlehill, in the middle of Edinburgh's historic Old Town, within easy walking distance of the castle and other landmarks.
- Theatrical baroque interiors — Guests repeatedly single out the ornate decor — dark wood, antique furnishings, and candlelit ambiance — as a highlight of the stay.
- Distinctive themed suites — Each deluxe suite has its own character and name, many with draped or four-poster beds, plus extras like coffee machines and bathtubs.
- Highly rated on-site dining — The Secret Garden restaurant receives strong praise for its food, and breakfast is served in the same setting with traditional options.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Some rooms may lack air conditioning — Several deluxe suites (Heriot, Inner Sanctum, Old Rectory, Turret) do not list air conditioning, which could be a factor in warm weather.
- No pets allowed — The hotel does not accommodate pets on site, which may be limiting for travellers with animals.
- Mixed guest ratings on price and service — The 'Price and service' rating is 7/10, the same as 'Rooms and cleanliness', suggesting some guests felt value or service could improve.
- Check-in window closes late — Check-in runs from 14:30 until 23:59, so arriving after midnight would be a problem without prior arrangement.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Deluxe Suite Heriot
- 1 Double bed
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
Deluxe Suite Armoury
- 1 Double bed
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
- Air conditioning
Deluxe Suite Inner Sanctum
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
Deluxe Suite Old Rectory
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
Deluxe Suite Guardroom
- 1 Double bed
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
- Air conditioning
Deluxe Suite Vestry
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
Deluxe Suite Turret
- 1 King-size bed
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
Deluxe Suite Library
- 1 Double bed
- Shower
- Coffee machine
- Heating
- Bathtub
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- 24-hour reception
- Security
- Luggage storage
- No smoking on site
- No pets allowed
Room amenities
- Heating
- Sitting area
- Dressing area
- Terrace
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Electric kettle
- Ironing facilities
- Free toiletries
- Flat-screen TV
- Carpeted floor
- Safe deposit box
- Air conditioning (selected suites)
Food & drink
- Restaurant
- In-room breakfast
- Special diet menus
Services
- Housekeeping
- Fax/Photocopying
- Wi-Fi
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 8.9/10 from 237 reviews
Booking.com · 8.9 · 237 reviews
8.9Verified guest“Good hotel with great amenities like free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, and in-room breakfast. The staff once helped me with travel tips. I highly recommend trying the breakfast hamper!”
8.9Verified guest“It offers traditional breakfasts at 5:45.”
8.9Verified guest“The breakfast was traditional and large, served in a comfy restaurant. The room was reasonably large and unique, with a draped bed.”
8.9Verified guest“All good - we truly enjoyed this hip new hotel - the food was nice and the staff were excellent. The deluxe suite was comfortable with exceptionally comfortable beds. The room had an electric kettle, a personal safe, and central heating. The location was fantastic, close to an art museum. The service was top-notch.”
8.9Verified guest“Friendly, professional staff and a prime location in the historic center. Themed, reasonably large room with a very comfortable four-poster bed.”
8.9Verified guest“We stayed in the Guardroom and loved the decor. The food at the Secret Garden restaurant was an experience in itself; each dish was exquisite and well thought out.”
04 — Location
Getting around Edinburgh
The property sits in Edinburgh.
Old Town: The hotel is on Castlehill, at the top of the Royal Mile, in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town — a bustling area of centuries-old buildings and narrow alleys.
Arthur's Seat: The hike to Arthur's Seat is about 2.5 km from the hotel, a longer walk or short drive for those wanting panoramic city views.
Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 2NF, United Kingdom
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 14:30-23:59
- Check-out
- By 11:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 9 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is available from 14:30 to 23:59, and check-out is by 11:00.
Does The Witchery allow pets?
No, pets are not allowed on the property.
Is breakfast available?
Yes, the hotel offers breakfast, including traditional options and an in-room breakfast service. One guest noted that traditional breakfasts are served from 5:45.
Is there air conditioning in the rooms?
Air conditioning is available in several deluxe suites — Sempill, Armoury, Guardroom, Vestry, and Library — but not in all of them. Check the specific suite details when booking.
Does the hotel have a restaurant?
Yes, the on-site Secret Garden restaurant is open to guests and has received praise for its food. There are also special diet menus available.
Is there parking at the hotel?
The provided information does not specify parking availability at the hotel. We recommend contacting the hotel directly for guidance.
The bottom line
The Witchery is a theatrical, atmospheric hotel for travellers who value character and location over modern minimalism. Its Royal Mile setting and dining are standout, but be aware of limited AC in some suites and the no-pets policy.
8.9Editor's take
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