New Haymarket hotel marks MEININGER's entry to the UK market and transforms long-vacant Osborne House into a modern hospitality destination
MEININGER Hotels will officially open MEININGER Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket on 5 August, marking the group's entry into Scotland. Situated in Edinburgh's West End, the property becomes the 38th hotel in MEININGER's portfolio and reflects the company's continued expansion into key urban destinations across Europe.
The project is located in a prominent 1970s office building that sat empty for several years and has been transformed into a modern hospitality hub complete with a fresh structural extension. Developed and owned by S Harrison and built by Ogilvie Construction, the development introduces 157 rooms and 549 beds to one of Europe's most popular travel destinations*.
"Expanding into Edinburgh is a natural next step for our brand," notes Ajit Menon, CEO of MEININGER Hotels. "The city boasts steady year-round tourism, excellent transport connections and a diverse mix of visitors. We are thrilled to revive a long-dormant building, enhance the local hospitality offering and support the growth of Edinburgh’s tourism economy."
A central base for exploring Edinburgh
Reflecting MEININGER’s “Step Out and Explore” motto, the hotel combines comfortable, flexible accommodation with a highly connected location in Edinburgh’s Haymarket district. Guests benefit from easy access to many of the city’s most popular attractions and cultural landmarks, with Haymarket Station just a short walk away offering direct rail links across Scotland and the UK, as well as tram connections to Edinburgh Airport and the city centre.
The location places guests within easy reach of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Princes Street, Murrayfield Stadium and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, while also providing a convenient base for visitors attending major events including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, concerts and sporting fixtures.
Hybrid hospitality for a wide range of travellers
MEININGER's hybrid concept combines the quality, privacy and service standards of a hotel with the flexibility and social atmosphere of a hostel. Guests can choose from a range of accommodation options, from private single, double and multi-bed rooms to individually bookable beds in shared dormitories, all complemented by communal facilities including a guest kitchen, bar, lounge areas, breakfast area and outdoor terrace. Designed to meet the needs of different travel styles, the hotel welcomes a broad range of guests, from families and student groups to backpackers, festival-goers, conference attendees and business travellers.
Part of MEININGER's continued European growth
The Edinburgh opening forms part of MEININGER's ongoing expansion strategy and follows recent and upcoming developments across Europe, including projects in Barcelona, Strasbourg, Madrid, Porto and Tel Aviv.
The company currently operates 37 hotels across 27 European cities and, with Edinburgh becoming property number 38, continues to focus on carefully selected growth opportunities in destinations with strong long-term demand. The UK and Ireland are expected to play an increasingly important role in this strategy, with Dublin scheduled to join the portfolio in 2028.
"Our strategy is based on sustainable, long-term growth rather than rapid expansion," adds Menon. "We continue to invest in destinations where we see long-term potential and where our hybrid concept can offer genuine value to guests. Edinburgh represents an exciting new chapter for MEININGER and an important step in our future growth plans."
Building a local team
Ahead of opening, MEININGER Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket has recruited an international team of around 20 employees across guest-facing and operational roles.
"We've focused on building a collaborative and diverse culture from the very beginning," says Will Harrington, Hotel Manager at MEININGER Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket. "Everyone contributes to the guest experience, and we're looking forward to welcoming visitors while becoming part of the local community."
*Source: Time Out (March 2026): The 50 best cities in the world in 2026
