CODE The Court

From police chambers to beds

This 19th-century building housed the police commissioner's offices, public courts and holding cells, and it served as the city's Police Chambers until 1974. The conversion kept the original walls exposed, along with old markings and graffiti, and the reception has displays on the building's criminal past. Private rooms sit in the former cells, with their vaulted ceilings and small windows.

Choosing a room

Most guests stay in the capsule dorms – around 200 pod beds spread across five floors, each with its own sockets, lights, shelf and privacy curtain. For more space, the private cells suit couples, and in 2025 a new attic floor of en-suite Enlightened Rooms opened, named after Edinburgh figures such as Adam Smith, Sophia Jex-Blake and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Location and extras

You're in the middle of the Old Town: St Giles' Cathedral, The Real Mary King's Close and the underground vaults are all within 100 metres. John's Coffee House & Tavern on site serves food and drink, and the hotel runs free events such as tastings, walking tours and quiz nights. It's best for travellers who value location over room size.

Highlights

• Former Police Chambers and courthouse on Parliament Square
• Capsule pods, private cell rooms and en-suite signature rooms
• On-site bar and restaurant, John's Coffee House & Tavern
• St Giles' Cathedral and Mary King's Close on the doorstep

Good to know

• Pods are in shared dorms; private cells and signature rooms give more privacy.
• Booking direct is handled through the CODE website.

Frequently asked questions