29 Craigmillar Park, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH16 5PE
What's nearby
University of Edinburgh - 3 min drive - 2.0 km
Grassmarket - 5 min drive - 3.1 km
Royal Mile - 6 min drive - 3.2 km
Princes Street - 6 min drive - 3.4 km
Edinburgh Castle - 6 min drive - 3.5 km
Getting around
Princes Street Tram Stop - 6 min drive
Newcraighall Station - 9 min drive
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) - 33 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 8 min walk
Old Bell Inn - 14 min walk
The Salisbury Arms - 18 min walk
The Earl Grange Cafe - 12 min walk
Costa Coffee - 8 min walk
About this property
The Alba House
Guest house near University of Edinburgh
Located close to Grassmarket, The Alba House has plenty to offer. Guests can connect to free WiFi in public areas.
Additional perks include:
Free self-parking
Smoke-free property
Languages
English
Property amenities
Internet
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi and wired internet
Parking and transport
Free self parking on site
Limited on-site parking
Guest services
Housekeeping (daily)
Accessibility
No lift
Policies
Check-in
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
Guests planning to arrive or departure outside of normal check-in and check-out hours must contact this property in advance.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Payment types
Important information
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/debit cards
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, a first aid kit and outdoor lighting
This property is professionally cleaned
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including stag and hen parties
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
National rating
This establishment has received its official star rating from VisitScotland, the National Tourist Board for Scotland.
Property is also known as
Alba House B&B Edinburgh
Alba House B&B
Alba House Edinburgh
Alba House Edinburgh, Scotland
Alba House
Alba House Hotel
The Alba House Edinburgh
The Alba House Guesthouse
The Alba House Guesthouse Edinburgh
Frequently asked questions
Is The Alba House pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at The Alba House?
Self-parking is free at this property.
What time is check-in at The Alba House?
Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; check-in end time: 8:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Alba House?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is The Alba House located?
Located in Newington, this guesthouse is within 2 miles (3 km) of National Library of Scotland, Royal Mile and University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street are also within 3 miles (5 km).
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The Alba House Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 75 reviews
10 - Excellent
64
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 75 reviews
8 - Good
9
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 75 reviews
6 - Okay
2
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 75 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 75 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.8/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Staff & service
9.4/10
Amenities
9.6/10
Property conditions & facilities
8.4/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Amy
26 July 2024
This is an amazing Bed and Breakfast, with an even more amazing host, Cath. What gracious people and that were so accommodating towards international travelers. We were provided with everything we could possibly need, if we ever come back to Edinburgh, Scotland, we know where we will be staying!
Amy
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
John
25 June 2023
We had a lovely stay at the Alba House. The room was lovely, the house was great, and the people were wonderful. Breakfast was excellent as well.
John
10/10 Excellent
Karen
15 Aug 2022
We had a lovely stay at the Alba House. Easy arrival, nice breakfast, great staff. So convenient to hop on the bus going downtown from in front of the hotel. Would definitely stay there again.
Karen
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Ralph
5 May 2024
Cath is a wonderful hostess, providing a warm environment and excellent guidance in how to enjoy our stay.
Ralph
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Alison
18 July 2022
The rooms were lovely. Though on a busy road we had rooms at the back which were quite quiet. Breakfast was lovely
Alison
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Dale
26 Aug 2022
Superb Hosts
The Alba was superb. Cath was a perfect host: accommodating, cheerful, personable, informative, and always helpful with questions or arrangements.
Dale
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Angela
22 Oct 2023
Lovely rooms, fantastic host
The Alba House is such a lovely house! I really loved the architecture and original details of the property. The room was very comfortable, the bed very soft, and clean. The bathroom had great water pressure and plenty of hot water, and a nice towel warmer.
Our host was extremely welcoming and nice, she gave us great directions and tips for getting around the city! Breakfast was the same each morning, but it was more than enough to fill up and it was really good, fresh food.
We loved our stay and are already planning a trip back!
Angela
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Susan
9 Sept 2023
The communal areas and our room were lovely - beautifully decorated and very well maintained. Breakfast was great ( not a cooked breakfast but perfect for us) - including fresh fruit and pastries.
The fan in bedroom was very welcome as it was so warm.
The only thing missing was a shower cubicle ( we had a bath and shower attachment which was fine ) - but I can see that would be hard to fit in as we were in an ‘attic’ room with low sloping ceilings.
Susan
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Anna
13 Mar 2024
I recently had the pleasure of staying 3 nights at this charming B&B, conveniently nestled in a prime location with easy access to public transportation and the heart of Edinburgh. Despite the owner, Cathy, being away on vacation, her warmth was matched by the hospitality of her daughter, Erin, and son-in-law, Jamie, who were exceptional hosts during my stay.
The accommodations were top-notch: from the comfortable bed ensuring restful nights to the modern bathroom equipped with strong water pressure - every detail contributed to a seamless and enjoyable experience. Breakfast each morning was a highlight; a hearty offering complemented by a delicious fruit platter, with the option of both tea and coffee catering to all preferences.
On my final day, Cathy made a special effort to greet me, embodying the gracious hospitality that seemed to run in the family. This B&B is a gem for anyone visiting Edinburgh, providing not just a stay but an experience to remember. I am already looking forward to my next visit. Highly recommended for an unforgettable stay in Edinburgh.
Anna
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
10/10 Excellent
Susan
13 June 2024
Susan
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Thomas
21 Mar 2020
Lovely B&B with a fantastic, attentive owner
Booked based on reviews and were not disappointed. Although this was at the start of the Coronavirus in UK, the B&B staff were putting distancing and hygene into place with individual orange juice, cakes etc and lots of soap etc. Owner was very friendly and attentive, and a great guide to Edinburgh and the area. Room was big and comfy and the only downside, which I wont mark down for was we were in Room 7 which is on the front of the building which is on a fairly busy street. the old building had original sash windows and they didnt do anything to cancel out the noise from the street. Other than that everything about the B&B was excellent and I would recommend booking if you are thinking about visiting Scotland's capital city. all the best, Tam & Sharon
Thomas
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2020
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
20 Dec 2019
Really liked the Victorian property so beautifully decorated. Also simply lovely decorations for Christmas. Really made the house feel like a home. However, the noise of the constant traffic disturbed us in our front of house room.
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019
10/10 Excellent
Jerry, Los Angeles, CA
21 Sept 2019
Kath, the hostess, was lovely. She is warm, cordial, and made us feel right at home. She also provided excellent advice about the buses (very convenient from this location!) and timing our visit to various venues (e.g., get to Edinburgh Castle first thing). The bed is amazingly comfortable (we slept very soundly). The breakfast room was roomy and comfortable and the food was excellent -- a beautiful array of both "cold" and "warm" (to order) items. The location is really great and there is an Aldi near by if you need anything.
Jerry
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
16 Aug 2019
A charming traditional hotel . A wonderful breakfast with lots of fresh fruits .
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019
8/10 Good
Verified traveller
23 July 2019
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019
10/10 Excellent
Hans
18 June 2019
Hans
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
10/10 Excellent
Daniel
19 May 2019
I’d stay here again
Nice location, right on the bus route to/from Edinburgh. Gracious and helpful host. En-suite was modern though the home is Victorian.
Daniel
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
10/10 Excellent
Kevin
4 May 2019
Scotland vacation
Large comfortable rooms. Great breakfast and Cath was so accommodating. Talked us through the bus route and told us where the good pubs were. Thanks.
Kevin
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2019
10/10 Excellent
isabelle
24 Apr 2019
Très bien très accueillant personnel très disponible
isabelle
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2019
10/10 Excellent
Dorothy
19 Mar 2019
Dorothy
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2019
10/10 Excellent
Rob, Pennsylvania
24 Oct 2018
Lovely house and helpful staff. Easy location to access dights
Rob
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
6/10 Okay
Verified traveller
2 Oct 2018
Not ideal for places to go in evening.
Location not ideal for walking to any restaurant or pub. Nothing nearby. Found the rooms rather old fashioned and a bit run down (mould on bathroom ceiling where a leak had obviously occurred) albeit clean. I am a bit OCD about things being hung straight and the tv was attached to the wall crooked which drove me nuts! Could be so much more with a little tlc and attention to detail, like putting local recommendations in the rooms and better toiletries because at £150 a night, it’s not cheap!
However landlady was very charming, welcoming and helpful.
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018
10/10 Excellent
Teresa
21 Sept 2018
Wonderful
My son and I stayed at Alba House for a month. I would definitely stay again and highly recommend. Cath and her family are great people. I also loved Rocky, Zelda and Maisy. Cath can tell you anything you need to know about Scotland. I so enjoyed getting to know her during our stay. She is a lovely human being and works very hard. Her place is charming, clean and comfortable. We stayed on the third floor and the one picture is out of the sky light window in the bathroom. The only thing I would say is don't pick the third floor if you don't like climbing stairs. 😁 I just thought of it as burning calories.
Teresa
Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2018
10/10 Excellent
Andreas
29 Aug 2018
Schönes Bed and Breakfast
Es handelt sich um ein sehr schönes Bed and Breakfast mit gut eingerichtetem Zimmer und reichhaltigem Fühstück. Die Besitzerin ist sehr freundlich. Hervorzuheben ist die verkehrsgünstige Lage. Mit mehreren Buslinien vor dem Haus ist man schnell in der Innenstadt. Auch der Flughafenbus 300 hält in unmittelbarer Nähe.
Andreas
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
7 Aug 2018
Excellent
Our experience was excellent! The owner was extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.