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Hotel · Edinburgh · Edinburgh

The Howard, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member Edinburgh

A 19-room Georgian townhouse hotel on Great King Street, combining personal butler-style service with modern comfort.

  • 24-hour butler service and tea service
  • Valet parking available on site
  • 5-minute walk from Hanover Fine Arts
9.1 Perfect 599 reviews Booking.com 9.1 · 599 reviews

About

The Howard, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member Edinburgh

The Howard, An Ascend Hotel Collection Member Edinburgh is a 5-star property located at 34 Great King Street. With just 19 rooms, it offers an intimate, personalized stay. The hotel is approximately a 5-minute walk from Hanover Fine Arts, placing it in a quiet part of the city but within easy reach of Princes Street (about a 10-minute walk, albeit with a hill).

Guests consistently praise the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff, who go out of their way to adapt to requests. The hotel offers a range of amenities including valet parking, a 24-hour reception, laundry and dry cleaning, and room service. Each room features a sitting area, dressing area, and modern comforts like flat-screen TVs and electric kettles—though tea is traditionally served by the butler.

  • Non-smoking property
  • Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour reception
  • Valet parking
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

3 reasons to book
  • Personal, attentive service — Guests repeatedly highlight the staff's willingness to go out of their way—from arranging dinner reservations and drivers to offering a second room at no charge when a booking mix-up occurred.
  • Butler-style amenities — 24-hour butler service provides tea and coffee in the room and valet parking, creating a hotel experience that feels like staying in a private home.
  • Quiet yet central location — Situated on Great King Street, it's a short walk to Princes Street and within easy reach of galleries like Hanover Fine Arts, while remaining a peaceful retreat.

Worth weighing

3 to weigh
  • Personal service isn't for everyone — Some guests note that the butler-driven service (like tea served by staff rather than a kettle) may not suit those who prefer complete independence.
  • The walk to Princes Street includes a hill — While the location is central, the route to the main shopping street has an incline that could be a consideration for some travelers.
  • Small property with limited rooms — With only 19 rooms, availability may be limited, and the intimate scale might not suit those looking for a large hotel with many facilities.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Luxury Double Room

  • 2 Single beds
  • Shower
  • Bathtub

Superior Double Room

  • 1 Double bed
  • Shower
  • Bathtub

Superior Twin Room

  • 2 Single beds
  • Shower
  • Bathtub

Petit double

  • 1 Single bed

Luxury Two-Bedroom Apartment

  • River view
  • Shower
  • Jacuzzi
  • Fireplace

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

General

  • Non-smoking property
  • Wi-Fi
  • 24-hour reception
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning

Parking & transport

  • Valet parking

In-room comfort

  • Sitting area
  • Dressing area
  • Ironing facilities
  • Washing machine
  • Electric kettle
  • Cookware/Kitchen utensils
  • Jacuzzi
  • Flat-screen TV
  • AM/FM alarm clock
  • Carpeted floor

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

9.1
Perfect 599 reviews

Guest-rated 9.1/10 from 599 reviews

Booking.com · 9.1 · 599 reviews
9.1Verified guest

“The Howard is comfortable and well-appointed with a central location. Staff are friendly, and the 24-hour butler service delivered quick tea service.”

9.1Verified guest

“When all UK airports closed, the staff were incredibly helpful during the emergency.”

9.1Verified guest

“This place is perfect for exploring the nearby area. The staff, including the manager, are very welcoming and provide great room service.”

9.1Verified guest

“The perfect hotel exceeded all expectations. It's not far from Carson Clark Gallery.”

9.1Verified guest

“I was impressed by how the hotel adapted to guests' needs. The staff were friendly and helpful, and the room and facilities were very comfortable.”

9.1Verified guest

“The Howard was wonderful—we felt like guests in someone's home. The rooms combined modern comforts with charm. Service was exceptional: staff made dinner reservations, hired a driver for a tour, and brought sandwiches when we decided not to go out. Breakfasts were delicious.”

04 — Location

Getting around Edinburgh

The property sits in Edinburgh.

Neighborhood: Located on Great King Street in Edinburgh, the hotel is a 5-minute walk from Hanover Fine Arts and about a 10-minute walk from Princes Street, with a slight hill.

Getting around: The city center is within walking distance, and a bus stop is just a 2-minute walk away for further exploration.

34 Great King Street, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH3 6QH, United Kingdom

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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 15:00-23:59
Check-out
By 12:00
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
19 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 15:00 to 23:59, and check-out is by 12:00.

Is parking available at the hotel?

Yes, the hotel offers valet parking, and private car parking is available nearby.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed at the property.

Does the hotel offer laundry services?

Yes, laundry and dry cleaning services are available.

How far is the hotel from Princes Street?

It's about a 10-minute walk, though there is a bit of a hill.

What room types are available?

Options include Luxury Double and Twin Rooms, Superior Double and Twin Rooms, a Petit double, and a Luxury Two-Bedroom Apartment with a river view and jacuzzi.

The bottom line

For travelers who value attentive, personalized service and a quiet base near Edinburgh's center, The Howard delivers a memorable boutique stay.

9.1A strong choice for those seeking boutique luxury with a personal touch.

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