WHERE TO STAY IN EDINBURGH - Edinburgh and Glasgow - page 61

6 room 520, aka the Dee Suite—are sumptuously furnished, with an ample sitting

room and a huge, well-appointed bathroom; not to mention fabulous views toward
the castle. Dining options at The Balmoral include the elegant and Michelin-star-
earning Number One (p. 73). Kilted doormen supply the Scottish atmosphere from
the start, and afternoon tea is served in the high-ceilinged Palm Court.
1 Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 2EQ. & 800/223-6800 in the U.S., or 0131/556-2414. Fax [phone].
www.thebalmoralhotel.com. 188 units. £220-£290 double with breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Valet parking
£15. Bus: 3, 8, 22, 25, or 30. Amenities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; concierge; health club; indoor pool; room
service; sauna; spa. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, fax, hair dryer, Internet, minibar.
Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh This hotel is another of the city's landmarks
with commanding views toward the nearby Edinburgh Castle and over the western
fringe of Princes Street Gardens. The public rooms are reminiscent of Edwardian
splendor, and the guest rooms (many of which are exceptionally spacious) are tradi-
tionally styled with reproduction furniture. Fine-dining meals are served in the
Pompadour Restaurant. A traditional tea is served in the high-ceilinged lounge.
Princes St., Edinburgh EH1 2AB. & 0131/222-8888. Fax [phone]. www.caledonian.hilton.com.
251 units. £175-£250 double with breakfast. Children 15 and under stay free in parent's room. AE, DC,
MC, V. Parking £10 per day. Bus: 12, 25, or 33. Amenities: 2 restaurants; 3 bars; indoor pool; exercise
room; room service. In room: TV/DVD, hair dryer, Internet, minibar.
The Howard One of the most discreet luxury hotels in the city, The Howard
links a set of Georgian terraced houses in northern New Town, and is sister hotel to
the highly desirable The Bonham (p. 67) and Channings (see below). Rooms here
are individually and elegantly decorated, and some feature a Jacuzzi. Excellent ser-
vice is a hallmark of The Howard—a group of butlers tend to your individual needs,
from parking your car to unpacking your luggage, should you so desire.
34 Great King St., Edinburgh EH3 6QH. & 0131/557-3500. Fax [phone]. www.thehoward.com.
18 units. £190-£275 double with breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking. Bus: 23 or 27. Amenities: Res-
taurant; room service. In room: TV/DVD, hair dryer, Internet.
Expensive
Channings Five Edwardian town houses were knocked together in this tran-
quil residential area on the edge of the city center to create this hotel, which main-
tains the atmosphere of a Scottish country house. Most of the furniture has been
personally collected by the company's owner over the years. Guest rooms are modern
in style; the front units get the views of the neighboring Georgian architecture, while
the rear ones offer vistas toward the Firth of Forth and have a more secluded feel.
12-16 S. Learmonth Gardens, Edinburgh EH4 1EZ. & 0131/623-9302. Fax [phone]. www.
channings.co.uk. 46 units. £99-£139 double with breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking on street. Bus: 37.
Amenities: Restaurant; bar; room service. In room: TV/DVD, hair dryer, Internet.
The George Hotel A traditional yet modern hotel in the heart of New Town. The
buildings that house this hotel on posh George Street were first erected in the
1780s, transformed with alterations of Corinthian and neo-Renaissance style during
the next 150 years or so before becoming the exclusive George Hotel in 1950. In
2006-07, another major renovation took place, bringing with it the stylish new res-
taurant and bar, Tempus.