starzizzle

We are arriving in Edinburgh late November, would like to stay not to far away from the main attractions. What are some of the neighborhoods that are close to attractions ? Is the airport going to be quite far from the touristy areas?
Thanks!

janisj

Stay in either the Old Town, on or very near the Royal Mile . . . OR in the New Town on or just north of Princes Street

giro

Edinburgh airport is on the Tram line that goes directly into the heart of the city. If I recall it's about a 30 minute ride that lets you off on Princes st. if you wish. Princes Street divides new town from Old Town. Everything on the South side (going by janisj's description above) is Old Town and is up the hill from Princes Street (Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile etc.)
Last year we stayed on Princes St. in New Town and it was an easy walk to Old Town (although it is uphill some of the way. In hindsight I would have preferred being in the middle of Old Town.
Take a look at some maps online and also see where the tram line is. Of course Taxis are also an alternative.
We loved Edinburgh...enjoy.

janisj

The tram is great -- but not really if one is up the hill in Old Town/on the Royal Mile.

>>although it is uphill some of the way<<

Actually <i>everything</i> in Edinburgh is uphill. Only a slight exaggeration. It will feel that way -- honest.

Gardyloo

In late November be prepared for dark and probably wet conditions; Edinburgh is quite far north, you know.

I don't think you're going to have much difficulty finding decent accommodations anywhere in the central part of the city. Much will depend on how you plan to spend your time - indoors or outdoors? For my money, staying in the New Town offers more options including more transit options to other parts of the city and region.

How long do you plan to be in the city? Is this principally a leisure visit or do you have some other agenda (i.e. business/pleasure etc.?)

BigRuss

<< Is the airport going to be quite far from the touristy areas? >>

Why would you stay at the airport?

Edinburgh is a city with an airport. Like basically every other city with an airport, the airport is not built in the middle of the central business or tourist district. This is because planes have to fly out and in and need clear space in which to do so. It is also because plane noise causes vibrations that damage buildings and attractions.

<<Edinburgh is quite far north, you know.>>

For perspective if you're coming from North America, Edinburgh is north of Edmonton, which is the most northerly city in N. America with a metro population of > 1,000,000, and Edinburgh is on the same degree north latitude as Moscow and Copenhagen. Between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice, Edinburgh gets dark earlier and earlier.

Macross

Premiere Inn on Princes St is a good location and inexpensive. We rented an apartment one trip and loved that option. By George St. Tram comes by there now. Bus station close by also. I would do tram from airport.

Dogeared

The majority of what the average tourist goes to see in Edinburgh are within walking distance of each other from Waverley Station.

So just pick a hotel that suits you, within walking distance to there. The closest is the Balmoral Hotel.

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Edi...9!4d-3.1899702

janisj

>>The closest is the Balmoral Hotel. <<

Which is lovely -- but high end/pricey.

What is your budget?

giro

"The Premier Inn on Princes St." was mentioned earlier; if you decide on that hotel, ask for a room on floor 5 or 6 facing the Castle and you will have the best room with a view that Edinburgh offers!

historytraveler

There are hundreds of places to stay near the " main attractions" . If you provide a budget we'll be better able to advise you. For example the Balmoral is one of the best hotels in Edinburgh and is priced accordingly. I believe their basic or classic room runs about $500/600 a night. On the other hand the Premier Inn on Princes Street ( one of several in Edinburgh ) is much more moderately priced. Hotels and B& B's will probably run from the high end such as the Balmoral to some being only about $100 or so depending on room size and numbers of occupants. Budget is important.

starzizzle

We plan on staying maybe 3 days before heading to London. Yeah I realize it'll be cold, damp and shorter days so we will try and soak in the culture of the city, we aren't gung ho on wanting to do activity each day, even strolling around the city is amusing for us especially with our toddler, when we travel with her we take it easy because we don't expect her to want to see or do things we would want to. For us it's more about the culture anyway, having said that, I think $500 a night is a bit absurd I was thinking more like under $200 a night max.

Macross

We did last minute and many hotels were booked so ended up with Travelodge on Rose St. I was not thrilled with it but clean and good location. Good front desk staff. I like Premier Inn. We stay with them often and it is basic but not as basic as TL. Good breakfast also.

Dogeared

No mention of budget was included in the OP. If money is very tight then sure, a Premier Inn, Travelodge, etc. MIGHT have to do.

As I said, " just pick a hotel that suits you, within walking distance to there."(Waverley Station)

I noted the Balmoral as CLOSEST, not as a suggestion. I would have no way of suggesting a particular hotel unless I knew the OP's preferences and budget.

My wife's preference is the Witchery when staying in Edinburgh. The Balmoral is cheaper by price comparison but not comparable otherwise. Neither is 'pricey' or 'absurd' if you can afford the price. Those terms are only used when someone cannot afford the price. Do not put your own budget limitations on others or suggest that somewhere is 'pricey' when that applies only to YOUR own budget.

We have stayed in the Balmoral and the Witchery. If we are trying to conserve money, we try for Gladstone's Land on the Royal Mile where you can get pretty much a week for the price of one night at the Witchery. I consider Gladstone's Land to be a 'low budget' choice but still an ideal location and certainly not a 'cookie cutter' hotel chain comparable.

So if you have a lower budget starzizzle, don't think your only choice is a Premier Inn or Travelodge type 'cookie cutter' chain. Even in July you could stay in Gladstone's Land for your $200 per night budget and no doubt in November it will be even less.

http://www.nts.org.uk/Holidays/Accom...adstones-Land/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/de...rtments-hotel/

http://www.britainexpress.com/scotla...tones-land.htm

Edinburgh has no shortage of unique places to stay if you just take the time to find them. That means doing more than just looking at third party booking sites for the lowest prices.

starzizzle

I come to these forums often and ask for suggestions, I have noticed one thing, there will always be that one person that is saying something rude. If I think something is absurd, that's my prerogative, I am not saying that it is everyone's ? This is clearly my thread, so my ipinion, my budget and my "terms" I chose whatever words I want, you don't have to comment on it if you're offended by what my budget allows. Obviously if I'm taking a 2-3 week trip from N. America I can afford things, don't need someone telling me what to say what not to say when I'm not harming anyone's sentiments or disrespecting anyone. Like everyone here was so nice and suggesting things, Dogeard, thanks for your wonderful help but that lecture was unnecessary. Thanks to everyone else who helped without nitpicking the smallest most nonsense things.

BigRuss

We hit on a flat in Edinburgh for less than your top end, the place is right behind Calton's Hill and we'll be there in June, so central Edinburgh for <$200 USD should be fish-barrel-shotgun.

The usual flat-rental sites should work wonders (airbnb, vrbo/homeaway, flipkey) for you.

janisj

starzizzle: Don't take it personally -- dogeared does that to everyone (he was banned previously for doing so)

One thing helping you is your trip is in November so after the summer crowds and before Hogmanay. So some of the mid range hotels may fit in your budget. Not the Balmoral or the Witchery however.

If the Premier Inns (there are several in central Edinburgh) don't look like what you want, plug your dates into booking.com they show a map of every property and the rates.

But I'd also consider a flat along or near the Royal Mile

this one is right ON the Royal Mile and very near the castle

https://www.edinburgh-selfcatering.c...inburgh-castle

starzizzle

Oh glad I'm not alone! Yes I was thinking about renting a flat, I've never done it before so I'm kind of excited to try! Thank you everyone

Barbara

Remember the 2nd floor in the UK is the third floor in the US. Few Edinburgh tenements have elevators/lifts, even the newer ones, so you'd be hauling your stroller and baby up two flights of stairs.

There should be a lot to choose from.

janisj

>> so you'd be hauling your stroller and baby up two flights of stairs. <<

true -- but one needs to be able to climb quite a bit just to get from Princes Street up to the Royal Mile. Edinburgh is not for the mobility challenged.