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 Edinburgh Hotels
Not just Scotland's capital city and an important centre of the late 18th-century Enlightenment, Edinburgh is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe (in Britain, second only to London), its rich history in evidence everywhere you look from the famous Castle, towering above streets of genteel, granite grey houses, to the startling new and wildly over-budget Scottish Parliament building. Attractions range from the Festival, held over three weeks every August when the population swells to double, to the Military Tattoo and Hogmanay street party, to say nothing of its excellent museums and galleries or stylish shops and restaurants. As you'd expect, there's a wide choice of accommodation, whether you plump for a luxury hotel in the shadow of the Castle or one of the bed-and-breakfasts that have sprung up around the city and are proving popular, good-value alternatives. The hotels are listed by price category, and their order bears no reflection on our preference. Reviews by Fiona Duncan |
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| Luxury: Flamboyant, captivating restaurant with rooms |
| Location: Castlehill, The Royal Mile: at the Castle gates |
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| Mysterious, captivating, exotic: James Thomson’s Gothic conversion of the 16th-century General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is named after the witches that were burned nearby. It is flamboyantly decorated with gilded ceilings, panelling and swathes of jewel-coloured velvet. Huge sumptuous suites in vibrant colours are theatrical and supremely romantic, with four-posters and oil paintings. Extras include complementary champagne. |
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| Luxury: Spoiling Georgian townhouse with butler service |
| Location: Great King Street: in New Town, just east of Dundas Street |
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| Stay here for a taste of gracious living Regency-style. In three refined Georgian town houses on a quiet cobbled street, afternoon tea is served in the elegant drawing room, breakfast in a room decorated with charming, original Italianate murals, and a grandly sweeping staircase leads to the luxurious bedrooms. And leave the chores to your personal butler. |
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| Luxury: Stunning transformation of former newspaper building in the heart of the city |
| Location: at the top of North Bridge, close to Princes Street |
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| The city’s most unusual hotel is a stunning transformation of the Scotsman newspaper's former offices. The conversion is a dramatic blend of the old and new, where Victorian oak panelling sits happily beside ultra-modern glass and steel. Bedrooms – you can even sleep in the editor’s office – are super-comfortable, and there’s a fabulous health club, spa and private cinema. Friendly staff. |
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| Luxury: Opulent hotel in parkland just five minutes from the Royal Mile |
| Location: Royal Holyrood Park, 5 minutes from the Royal Mile |
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| Surrounded by gardens and parkland but minutes from the city centre, this enveloping hotel has just 22 bedrooms, yet guests are treated to an Aladdin's cave of opulence, drama and romance, from complementary champagne and chocolate on arrival to the run of three fabulously decorated drawing rooms, a whisky bar and a fine restaurant, Rhubarb. Attentive service; gorgeous bedrooms; sheer glorious indulgence. |
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| Mid Price: Charming, antiques-filled B&B |
| Location: Northumberland Street, near junction with Dundas Street; a 5-minute walk from Princes Street |
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| It will come as little surprise to David and Theresa Ingram’s guests that David used to be an antiques dealer: the four-storey listed Georgian town house (with glorious flying stone staircase and oval cupola) that they have turned into a charming B&B is full of handsome period furniture, pictures and objets. The three bedrooms (one double and two twins) are comfortable, attractively decorated and well-equipped. |
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| Mid Price: Youthful, lively restaurant with rooms |
| Location: George Street; one block from Princes Street |
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| A lively bar and restaurant combined with a sleek, contemporary hotel, which subtly balances comfort and style. Rooms have thoughtful touches, including loaded iPods, DVD players, Egyptian cotton sheets, massive showers or baths, even umbrellas. The bar buzzes (particularly on Saturday nights), and you must book the restaurant well ahead. Staff are enthusiastic and efficient. |
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| Mid Price: Cosy, welcoming and elegant townhouse hotel including breakfast |
| Location: South Learmonth Gardens, just outside New Town, 10 minutes walk from west end |
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| Widely known as Edinburgh's cosiest and most welcoming – yet very elegant – hotel, Channings was created from five Edwardian townhouses in a quiet residential area just outside New Town. With the feel of a homely Scottish country house, including antiques and open fires, the hotel also offers stylish bedrooms, some with fine rooftop views, plus a highly acclaimed restaurant and a laid back wine bar. |
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| Mid Price: Comfortable, welcoming bed and breakfast in a fine house |
| Location: in Stockbridge; a ten-minute walk to Princes Street |
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| A real home from home, this fine house was designed by James Milne in the early 1800s and is now owned and run as a B&B by Fiona and Colin Mitchell-Rose. It has three lovely guest rooms and a genuinely welcoming atmosphere. Always mindful of their guests' comfort, Fiona and Colin provide a host of little extras. The garden and separate entrance are bonuses and, if you’d rather self-cater, they have an apartment nearby. |
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| Inexpensive: Quiet bed and breakfast close to city centre yet in a lovely rural setting |
| Location: Coltbridge Gardens: 1 mile west of Princes Street |
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| If you prefer the idea of a B&B in a more rural setting but still within walking distance of the city centre, Michael and Vivien Scott’s elegant Georgian-style house will fit the bill. It has a splendid position above the Water of Leith, in 2-acre grounds, containing a waterfall, weir and (17th-century) windmill from which it takes its name. There are log fires, three large stylish bedrooms and a friendly atmosphere. |
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