Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
any time of year, and is strongly recommended for stays
during the Festival and around Hogmanay, when places
can get booked out months in advance. Note that
VisitScotland ( T 0845 859 1006, W visitscotland.com)
operates a booking centre for accommodation in Edinburgh
(and the rest of Scotland).
Access Bear in mind that many of the guesthouses and
small hotels are ocated in Georgian and Victorian
townhouses, over three or more floors, and usually have no
lift, so are not ideal for those with restricted mobility.
but unstuffy new occupant of the grand old o ces of the
Scotsman newspaper is one of Edinburgh's headline
hotels. It's five-star stuff, with modern gadgets and
fittings, but the marble staircase and walnut-panelled
lobby have been r etain ed, and you can even sleep in the
editor's old o ce. £315
Ten Hill Place 10 Hill Place T 0131 662 2080,
W tenhillplace.com; map pp.60-61. A contemporary
hotel linked to the historic Royal College of Surgeons, with
78 sleek and smartly styled bedrooms, all run according to
an environmentally con scious policy. Not part of a chain,
but e ciently operated. £145
Travelodge Edinburgh Central 33 St Mary's St
T 0871 984 6137, W travelodge.co.uk; map pp.64-65.
There's more than a hint of concrete brutalism in the look
of this chain hotel, but it's well priced and centrally
located, 100yd from the Royal Mile near some excellent
restaurants. At weekends it tends to fill up with stag and
hen par ties but the rooms are quiet enough if a little
grungy. £83
1
OLD TOWN
Accommodation in the old town offers a well-balanced mix
to cater for all budgets although in recent years the number
of five-star hotels being built has rapidly increased. There's a
choice of backpacking hostels tucked in among the gloomier
alleys, while mid-range accommodation - mostly branded
hotel chains and self-catering apartments - tend to sit just
off the main drag.
HOTELS
Ì Apex International 31-35 Grassmarket T 0131
300 3456, W apexhotels.co.uk; map pp.64-65. This
ex-university building turned 175-bed business-oriented
hotel has comfortable rooms, some with unencumbered
views to the Castle and balconies that peer down onto the
happening Grassmarket below. Up top there's a double
rosette rooftop restaurant with a dramatic skyline view -
especially impressive after dark - while downstairs you'll
find a small pool and gym. £140
Ì Hotel Missoni 1 George IV Bridge T 0131 220 6666,
W hotelmissoni.com; map pp.64-65. Quite what this
funky, sexy new tie-up between the Italian fashion house
and Rezidor Hotels is doing in the heart of prim Edinburgh is
unclear, but the zigzag fabrics, wacky lighting and mosai c-
like tiling are enticing, if a little headache-inducing. £310
Ibis Edinburgh Centre 6 Hunter Square T 0131 240
7000, W accorhotels.com; map pp.64-65. Probably the
best-located chain hotel cheapie in the Old Town, within
sight of the Royal Mile; rooms are modern and inexpensive,
but there are few facilities other than a rather plain bar.
There's a daily charge of £10 for internet h ere, b ut the café
on the corner provides it free to customers. £93
The Scotsman 20 North Bridge T 0131 556 5565,
W thescotsmanhotel.co.uk; map pp.64-65. The plush
GUESTHOUSES
Ì The Witchery Apartments Castlehill, Royal Mile
T 0131 225 5613, W thewitchery.com; map pp.64-65.
Seven riotously indulgent suites grouped around the
famously spooky restaurant just downhill from the Castle;
expect antique furniture, big leather armchairs, tapestry-
draped beds, oak panelling and huge roll-top baths, as
well as ultra-modern sound systems and complimentary
bottles of c hamp agne. Top of the range, unique and
memorable . £325
HOSTELS
Argyle Backpackers 14 Argyle Place, Marchmont
T 0131 667 9991, W argyle-backpackers.com; map
pp.56-57. A quiet, less intense version of the typical
backpackers' hostel, pleasantly located in three adjoining
townhouses near the Meadows in studenty Marchmont,
just south of the Old Town. The small dorms have single
beds, and there are a dozen or so twin rooms, as well as a
pleasa nt co mmun al co nservatory and garden at the back.
Tw ins £56 ; dorms £18
Brodies 93 High St T 0131 556 2223,
W brodieshostels.co.uk; map pp.64-65. Extending
over two buildings - the other being across the road at
no. 12 - Brodies offers a few clean but poorly sound-
proofed double rooms, some fairly straightforward
dorms sleepin g up to a d ozen , and limited communal
areas. Doubles £65 ; dorms £13
Ì Castle Rock Hostel 15 Johnston Terrace T 0131
225 9666, W castlerockedinburgh.com; map pp.64-65 .
Tucked below the Castle ramparts, with two hundred or so
beds arranged in large, bright dorms, as well as triple and
quad rooms and some doubles. The communal areas
TOP 5 BUDGET
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Castle Rock Hostel See p.89
Gerald's Place See p.90
High Street Hostel See p.90
Ibis Edinburgh Centre See p.89
Rick's See p.90
 
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