Some hotels make a city break easier the moment you arrive. Point A Hotel St. Andrews Square did that for me in Edinburgh, and I’d happily recommend it if you plan to spend your days out exploring without a car.
My room was comfortable, the decor had a playful streak, and I had far too much fun with the tech panels. But the location was the real star. With the airport tram, Waverley Station, and the airport bus all nearby, getting around Edinburgh couldn’t have been easier.
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. My stay was complimentary, but as always, all opinions and recommendations are my own. Thank you for supporting Tartan & Teacups.
Point A Hotel St. Andrews Square Edinburgh: What Staying Here Feels Like
This is a modern, practical hotel at 9-10 St Andrew Square. Point A keeps things streamlined, with thoughtfully designed rooms and shared spaces where you can grab a drink, have breakfast, or relax between plans. I found it a welcoming base for a busy trip.
A new hotel inside a landmark Edinburgh building
Point A St. Andrews Square may be new, but the building certainly isn’t. The hotel opened in 2026 inside a Category A listed building designed by renowned Scottish architect Sir Basil Spence and Partners. Completed in 1962 as the headquarters of Scottish Widows, it’s an interesting piece of Edinburgh’s more recent architectural history.
Rather than stripping away that character during the conversion, several original features were preserved. Look for the dramatic helix staircase, along with the marble and granite finishes and distinctive entrance lobby. I love that contrast, you get the fresh feel of a brand-new hotel while some of the building’s original personality is still very much part of the experience.
Playful decor and useful tech
I felt good coming back to my room after being out in Edinburgh. It was cozy, the decor made me smile, and the tech panels added a little fun. I could adjust the lighting without getting out of bed, including mood lighting that I probably spent far too much time playing with. They’re easy to use, too, which is what you want when you’re tired and ready to settle in.
My room had everything I needed for my stay, including free Wi-Fi, adjustable heating and cooling, and a TV. The only thing I really missed was a kettle for making tea in my room. Hot drinks are available downstairs, but sometimes you just want to make a cup of tea without leaving your pajamas.
What to know about breakfast and shared spaces
The hotel offers a continental breakfast with pastries, fruit, cereal, and hot drinks. Point A includes breakfast with direct bookings, while guests booking elsewhere can add it on arrival.
I also liked having shared space available beyond the room. It’s handy if you arrive late or fancy a drink without another trip across town. A small thing, maybe, but small conveniences add up!
The central Edinburgh location makes getting around easy
The location is the reason I’d point friends toward Point A Hotel St. Andrews Square. You have useful transport choices close by, plus plenty of central Edinburgh within walking distance. It takes some of the fuss out of planning each day.
Walk to Waverley Station, the tram, and the airport bus
The hotel sits between St Andrew Square tram stop and Edinburgh Waverley train station. Both are a very short walk away. The tram runs to Edinburgh Airport, while Waverley is the obvious choice if you’re arriving by rail or heading elsewhere in Scotland.
The Airlink 100 airport bus also serves the area around the hotel, giving you another easy way to get to and from Edinburgh Airport. Its city-center stops can change because of events and road closures, so I’d check the current Lothian Buses airport service information before setting off. Knowing exactly where you’re getting off makes arrival much nicer, especially when you’re carrying a bag.
Explore Princes Street and central sights on foot
St Andrew Square puts you close to Princes Street and George Street, so shops and restaurants are easy to work into your day. You’re in the New Town, with the Old Town and its major sights reachable on foot too. Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile are the sort of places you can plan around without first working out a local bus route.
That freedom was a big part of the appeal for me. You can pop back to the hotel between outings, then head off again when you’re ready. Edinburgh is a city where I like to wander and see what catches my eye. Staying this central leaves more room for that, and less time spent looking up how to get back.
Is Point A Hotel St. Andrews Square a good fit for your trip?
I’d choose this hotel for a trip where you plan to spend most of your time out exploring Edinburgh. The location made coming and going incredibly easy, which is exactly what I want when I’m traveling without a car.
Why it works so well for a car-free Edinburgh trip
Point A Hotel St. Andrews Square makes a lot of sense if you want to be near the train station, airport tram, and the heart of Edinburgh. You can arrive, drop your bag, and start exploring without sorting out complicated transfers or relying on taxis.
That’s what worked so well for me. I spent my days out exploring and had a welcoming, central place to come back to when I was done. For a car-free Edinburgh trip, that combination is hard to beat.
A few practical details for your stay
Standard check-in begins at 3 p.m., with checkout by 11 a.m. If your travel plans don’t line up neatly with those times, Point A also offers early check-in and late checkout for an additional fee, subject to availability.
That’s particularly useful in a location like this, where your transportation might not line up with your check-in time. I’d check the current options when you book if you already know you’ll want a little extra time on either end of your stay.
My verdict on Point A St Andrew Square
What I appreciated most about Point A St. Andrews Square was how easy it made my time in Edinburgh. I could arrive without a car, walk almost everywhere I wanted to go, and come back to a hotel that felt welcoming, relaxed, and unfussy at the end of the day.
I’d happily stay here again on a future Edinburgh trip, and that’s probably the best recommendation I can give.
