The Fringe, International Film Festival and now the Edinburgh Book Festival. Of course you are going to be there – but where will you stay. Budget stays in Scotland’s cultural hub.
Castle Rock Hostel. Anyone looking for good budget accommodation in Edinburgh need look no further than Castle Rock.
When this Edinburgh hostel says it has a good location it isn't joking, there are views of the castle from inside and it's about a minute's walk away from the city centre. In addition, it's a funky and fun place – I especially enjoyed the random art covering the walls!
If you can’t get a room at the Castle Rock, then nearby is the Argyle Backpackers Hostel If you're visiting Edinburgh on a budget, I recommend staying at the Argyle Backpackers Hostel. It's very cheap - my girlfriend and I stayed in a twin room and it was just over £40 a night between the two of us but you can get a bed in a shared room from about £13 a night.
The hostel is in the beautiful Marchmont area, directly opposite an excellent little row of shops - a greengrocers, a vegetarian wholefood shop and an amazing convenience store with a wide range of vegan and organic products. It's just south of the Meadows and is only a few minute's walk from the Royal Mile.
The Balmoral Hotel. It is the place to stay in Edinburgh, it looks absolutely stunning on the outside and, from the polite doormen to the Michelin-starred restaurant, this is the height of luxury. Well worth a look around, even for a coffee if you can't afford to splash out for a room.
For the personal touch, call into One Royal Circus
This beautiful Georgian house is a B&B, and then some. Owners, Mike and Susan Gordon (delightful hosts) restored the house from scratch (they also own a modern property available for hire nearby) and have had a few celebrity guests stay. The place is going to be featured in the next Mr and Mrs Smith guidebook, say no more. £138-£258 with complimentary drinks and run of the house.
One Royal Circus, Edinburgh, EH3 6TL; One Royal Circus; +44 (0)131 625 6669
Planning a break in Edinburgh? Find the perfect hotel to gratify all your needs here! A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a regular in AA's Top 200 Hotels in Britain and Ireland, and winner of the Thistle Award in 2006 for customer care, the Howard hotel will give your every Euro’s worth. Known for its exceptional service (a team of butlers are always ready to assist), its amenities are exceptional too - these include LCD flat screen TVs, Penhaligons Blenheim Bouquet toiletries, Playstations, wireless Internet access, canopy beds, rain baths, and terraced suites.
In-room massages are available too. Stay at the Howard, if only for its Atholl restaurant! Have some kippers, yoghurt, or fresh fruit juice for breakfast; truffles, vanilla fudge, or finger sandwiches for afternoon tea; and Gressingham duck, Scottish beef, or tiger prawns for dinner. Don't forget the peppermint soufflé for dessert! They have a considerable selection of white and red wines too.
The Scotsman boutique hotel is among the top hotels, according to Condé Nast Traveller, Departures Magazine, and Tatler Magazine; this 5 star luxury accommodation won’t disappoint. Formerly a newspaper printing house, it has a room to cater for your every need: the masculine Study, spacious Deluxe, cosy Editor, homey Publisher, impressive Baron, and splendid Penthouse. All suites include wireless Internet access, a satellite TV, Egyptian cotton bed sheets, a laptop safe, and an Edinburgh Monopoly Board, sure to make you smile! Relax at the Cowshed Spa, or have a plate of fruit kebabs, apple strudel, and brownies made from Belgian chocolate.