Edinbrugh
Jun 5th, 2017, 10:11 PM
#41
>>Bus tours - Timberland goes upto Inverness, Rabies does not seem to, does that matter?<<
Definitely (!) A major plus -- <i>for Rabbies</i>. Spending time in Inverness would be a true waste on a day trip through some glorious countryside. Inverness is the commercial center for northwestern Scotland, but isn't a 'scenic destination'.
Rabbies books up because they are very popular. 3 or 4 days in advance you wouldn't know much about the weather in any case.
Definitely (!) A major plus -- <i>for Rabbies</i>. Spending time in Inverness would be a true waste on a day trip through some glorious countryside. Inverness is the commercial center for northwestern Scotland, but isn't a 'scenic destination'.
Rabbies books up because they are very popular. 3 or 4 days in advance you wouldn't know much about the weather in any case.
Jun 5th, 2017, 11:07 PM
#42
Just checked your dates in July and the TraveLodge Central in Old Town has triples for £125/$160 per night. TL Central Queen Street in New Town is £109/$140. Either of those would be a MUCH better location and cheap. BUT they are almost sold out (as are most of the other Edinburgh Travelodges)
Jun 6th, 2017, 03:41 AM
#43
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1702491
I have stayed here and she was a great host. They also have another place. Tram goes right by, nice shopping and places to eat.
I have stayed here and she was a great host. They also have another place. Tram goes right by, nice shopping and places to eat.
Jun 6th, 2017, 05:28 AM
#44
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A couple of years ago, we booked a flat through Tripadvisor (vacation rentals) and loved it. It was right on the Royal Mile just above the Rabbies office and across the street from a good breakfast place.
Although we had to climb three flights of stairs, the flat had a large dining room/kitchen with washer/dryer, a medium sized living room and a smallish bedroom. It wasn't that expensive.
Although we had to climb three flights of stairs, the flat had a large dining room/kitchen with washer/dryer, a medium sized living room and a smallish bedroom. It wasn't that expensive.
Jun 6th, 2017, 12:27 PM
#45
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Macross, this one that you recommended looks really good but is not available for our dates. 
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1449535?
Janisj, thanks for checking the Travelodge, I agree that the location in much better but not thrilled at the idea of a 2 star hotel. Is the Easter Road location that bad ?
And thanks for tipping me off on Inverness! Is Glascow on the same lines or is it worth a visit?
The Mercure Edinburgh City - Princes Street Hotel has a triple room as well but reviews are not so great. Does anyone have any personal experience with this one?
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1449535?
Janisj, thanks for checking the Travelodge, I agree that the location in much better but not thrilled at the idea of a 2 star hotel. Is the Easter Road location that bad ?
And thanks for tipping me off on Inverness! Is Glascow on the same lines or is it worth a visit?
The Mercure Edinburgh City - Princes Street Hotel has a triple room as well but reviews are not so great. Does anyone have any personal experience with this one?
Jun 6th, 2017, 12:46 PM
#46
The travelodges are sort of like Holiday Inn Expresses. Maybe just a tad more basic. But (unless I could raise my budget) me personally - w/ a short time in the city I'd rank location as more important than amenities. To step outside my hotel and be ON the Royal Mile or on Princes Street looking straight up at the castle does trump being in a flat a half hour away. But that is me. If I could splurge -- I'd stay someplace like Fraser Suites which is mere steps from St Giles Cathedral. But assuming they have availability, it would be over your budget. Now IF I was staying a week -- having the more space and a kitchen would be definitely become more important.
(just checked and as I suspected FS is full up)
Glasgow and Inverness are complete apples and oranges. Glasgow is a major city (larger than Edinburgh) with its own world famous sites and attractions. Well worth a visit -- but one would want to do some homework first. Interested in Charles Rennie Mackintosh? or in the Transport Museum? Or the Kelvingrove? For most first time visitors -- Edinburgh ticks more boxes, but Glasgow is a terrific city.
(just checked and as I suspected FS is full up)
Glasgow and Inverness are complete apples and oranges. Glasgow is a major city (larger than Edinburgh) with its own world famous sites and attractions. Well worth a visit -- but one would want to do some homework first. Interested in Charles Rennie Mackintosh? or in the Transport Museum? Or the Kelvingrove? For most first time visitors -- Edinburgh ticks more boxes, but Glasgow is a terrific city.
Jun 8th, 2017, 07:49 PM
#49
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For Excited_confused, have you found a place yet?
Last summer we rented a place in Leith through Homeaway.com Leith is a neighborhood by the actual port of Edinburgh. The Leith Walk is pretty nice. To get to the Royal Mile, the bus was not hard to do. You could even walk, although you'll be walking all day so I wouldn't advise it.
I did a quick look on Homeaway.com . Here are two with good reviews:
Rental 1840918 Main Door Apartment, $146/night
Rental 6822872 1 Bdr Flat w/ Warm Decor, $136/night
Last summer we rented a place in Leith through Homeaway.com Leith is a neighborhood by the actual port of Edinburgh. The Leith Walk is pretty nice. To get to the Royal Mile, the bus was not hard to do. You could even walk, although you'll be walking all day so I wouldn't advise it.
I did a quick look on Homeaway.com . Here are two with good reviews:
Rental 1840918 Main Door Apartment, $146/night
Rental 6822872 1 Bdr Flat w/ Warm Decor, $136/night
Jun 8th, 2017, 07:55 PM
#50
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Starzizzle, this was of course your thread. I definitely think you should rent an apartment with a young child. In November, you should be able to get something close to the main sites for a reasonable price.
We did only one big trip to Europe when our kids were little. Renting an apartment really saved our sanity. During the day we would go see a site or do an event with family and eat lunch out. But most evenings, we would cook in the flat. Being more than a single hotel room, the extra room gave the kids space to move around.
If you have never booked one, read the details on each listing you're interested in. Some will allow free cancellation up until a certain date. Others allow no cancellation at all. The main sites are booking.com, homeaway and airbnb.
Often times, the listings won't show the exact address, but if you are serious about a property, message the owner and ask for it, or at minimum, closest cross-streets. They usually will tell you.
We did only one big trip to Europe when our kids were little. Renting an apartment really saved our sanity. During the day we would go see a site or do an event with family and eat lunch out. But most evenings, we would cook in the flat. Being more than a single hotel room, the extra room gave the kids space to move around.
If you have never booked one, read the details on each listing you're interested in. Some will allow free cancellation up until a certain date. Others allow no cancellation at all. The main sites are booking.com, homeaway and airbnb.
Often times, the listings won't show the exact address, but if you are serious about a property, message the owner and ask for it, or at minimum, closest cross-streets. They usually will tell you.
Jun 8th, 2017, 07:57 PM
#51
>>You could even walk, although you'll be walking all day . . . <<
You'd be walking <i>uphill</i> all day
Leith would be nicer than Easter Rd. About 30 minutes on the bus from Leith to the Royal Mile. About 20+ minutes to Princes Street.
You'd be walking <i>uphill</i> all day
Leith would be nicer than Easter Rd. About 30 minutes on the bus from Leith to the Royal Mile. About 20+ minutes to Princes Street.
Jun 8th, 2017, 09:23 PM
#52
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<i>The Leith Walk is pretty nice. </i>
It's Leith Walk not "The Leith Walk" - and unless it's undergone a massive change in the past few months it's a pretty grotty piece of road
Or are you referring to The Water of Leith?
It's Leith Walk not "The Leith Walk" - and unless it's undergone a massive change in the past few months it's a pretty grotty piece of road
Or are you referring to The Water of Leith?
Jun 10th, 2017, 05:36 PM
#54
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I am really thinking about renting through airbnb but is it true that sometimes the owners can cancel your booking last minute? I have never done it before so I am not sure but looking at all your suggestions that is the route I want to take, just to ask, is there really an area that is not suitable in Edinburgh? all the listings that I have seen, look amazing.
Jun 10th, 2017, 07:26 PM
#55
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Hi starzizzle, sorry again for posting on your thread, really hope the information is useful to you too!
I have booked through airbnb a few times, (not often), and actually have an upcoming rental in Monterosso after Scotland. I have never had a problem but I do see it mentioned often in the reviews that the owner cancelled the booking and always wonder how/why that happens since it would be so hard to find another place at the last minute! Maybe someone else can enlighten us!
5alive, I have put a deposit on the Easter Rd flat but the owner has promised me that it will be refunded if I decide against it after seeing the pictures of the remodeled place so I am still looking. (Hopefully he will stick to his word ie: email in this case!). However it seems like the problem is the area itself, not the flat. I honestly thought that since it was in between Leith and the town center, it would a convenient location.
Thanks for checking homeaway for me, the listings look really nice however I would prefer 2 BR's - here is one I found:
https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p466332
Can anyone provide their input on this one? Not sure how convenient that location is since it does not seem that close to the town either. Thanks!
I have booked through airbnb a few times, (not often), and actually have an upcoming rental in Monterosso after Scotland. I have never had a problem but I do see it mentioned often in the reviews that the owner cancelled the booking and always wonder how/why that happens since it would be so hard to find another place at the last minute! Maybe someone else can enlighten us!
5alive, I have put a deposit on the Easter Rd flat but the owner has promised me that it will be refunded if I decide against it after seeing the pictures of the remodeled place so I am still looking. (Hopefully he will stick to his word ie: email in this case!). However it seems like the problem is the area itself, not the flat. I honestly thought that since it was in between Leith and the town center, it would a convenient location.
Thanks for checking homeaway for me, the listings look really nice however I would prefer 2 BR's - here is one I found:
https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p466332
Can anyone provide their input on this one? Not sure how convenient that location is since it does not seem that close to the town either. Thanks!
Jun 10th, 2017, 08:50 PM
#56
excited_confused: >>Not sure how convenient that location is since it does not seem that close to the town either.<<
Not quite sure what you mean about it not being central. That flat is in a MUCH better location than Easter RD. It is about a 10 minute walk from Waverly station/the east end of Princes Street. Easter Rd is about a 25 minute bus ride. Plus there are many reviews. Plus it looks like a nicer flat. I guess I'm confused why you seem so taken by the Easter Rd property??
starzizzle: I would look for properties either: On or just north of Princes Street or w/i say half a mile from either end of Princes Street; OR on or just south of the Royal Mile; OR around the area of Calton Hill; OR just south and east of the Castle.
Not quite sure what you mean about it not being central. That flat is in a MUCH better location than Easter RD. It is about a 10 minute walk from Waverly station/the east end of Princes Street. Easter Rd is about a 25 minute bus ride. Plus there are many reviews. Plus it looks like a nicer flat. I guess I'm confused why you seem so taken by the Easter Rd property??
starzizzle: I would look for properties either: On or just north of Princes Street or w/i say half a mile from either end of Princes Street; OR on or just south of the Royal Mile; OR around the area of Calton Hill; OR just south and east of the Castle.
Jun 11th, 2017, 12:36 AM
#57
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Lots of thoughts about Leith and clearly a need for clarification.
dotheboyshall-- At least one of the papers left in the flat referred to "the Leith Walk." Sorry I copied that usage of adding a "the" before Leith Walk. Near our flat, Leith Walk changed names to Constitution.
We walked down Constitution down to the corner of Duke to go to Tesco a few times. We walked past a golf course, a music academy/school, and the area was pleasant.
We rode the bus further down Leith Walk to the Royal Mile. The area along our bus route seemed a bit more urban in nature, so it might be less appealing to some. I certainly can see that, unclegus. I would point out that the person who I recommended it for is trying to find lodgings within the next month and having some difficulty. Given the situation, I think the location is a good solution.
Dotheboyshall, yes, absolutely you are right that we didn't just walk south along Leith Walk. We walked the other way up to the docks at sunset. We also walked over to the Water of Leith, where we had dinner at a place along the water.
Janis--I definitely wouldn't advise most people to walk all the way back, but I was mentioning it was possible. My oldest, who was then 20, walked home to our flat from Edinburgh Castle. He didn't think it was a big deal. It did not take him all day. His memory is that it wasn't a whole hour, maybe 45 minutes. He is in great health and plays sports or runs regularly. My recommendation for most people would be bus, a taxi or uber.
dotheboyshall-- At least one of the papers left in the flat referred to "the Leith Walk." Sorry I copied that usage of adding a "the" before Leith Walk. Near our flat, Leith Walk changed names to Constitution.
We walked down Constitution down to the corner of Duke to go to Tesco a few times. We walked past a golf course, a music academy/school, and the area was pleasant.
We rode the bus further down Leith Walk to the Royal Mile. The area along our bus route seemed a bit more urban in nature, so it might be less appealing to some. I certainly can see that, unclegus. I would point out that the person who I recommended it for is trying to find lodgings within the next month and having some difficulty. Given the situation, I think the location is a good solution.
Dotheboyshall, yes, absolutely you are right that we didn't just walk south along Leith Walk. We walked the other way up to the docks at sunset. We also walked over to the Water of Leith, where we had dinner at a place along the water.
Janis--I definitely wouldn't advise most people to walk all the way back, but I was mentioning it was possible. My oldest, who was then 20, walked home to our flat from Edinburgh Castle. He didn't think it was a big deal. It did not take him all day. His memory is that it wasn't a whole hour, maybe 45 minutes. He is in great health and plays sports or runs regularly. My recommendation for most people would be bus, a taxi or uber.
Jun 11th, 2017, 07:01 AM
#58
>>My oldest, who was then 20, walked home to our flat from Edinburgh Castle. He didn't think it was a big deal.<<
Ah -- but walking back from the castle would ALL be down hill. Most anyone could manage that. 'Tis the other direction uuuuuup to the Royal Mile that you mentioned and I was commenting on -- guessI I needed a different smiley . . .
Ah -- but walking back from the castle would ALL be down hill. Most anyone could manage that. 'Tis the other direction uuuuuup to the Royal Mile that you mentioned and I was commenting on -- guessI I needed a different smiley . . .
Jun 11th, 2017, 08:01 AM
#59
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Hi janisj, the reason I am reluctant to switch from the Easter Rd flat is because I have already put a deposit on it. It is refundable but I need to feel that I really have a good reason to ask for a refund. However if everyone feels that the Easter Rd is not a good location, I will do so. Is it because it is an unsafe/seedy area or is it just because of the distance from the city? Is it all uphill from there to Old Town?
The reason I thought both the flats were about equidistant to the city center is because on google maps, the distance is 1 mile from each of them to Waverly station. But since I am not familiar with Edinburgh, of course I do not know how much is there to see/do in either direction around each flat. As I mentioned, I thought the Easter Rd location between Old Town and Leith, makes it convenient!
Thanks!
The reason I thought both the flats were about equidistant to the city center is because on google maps, the distance is 1 mile from each of them to Waverly station. But since I am not familiar with Edinburgh, of course I do not know how much is there to see/do in either direction around each flat. As I mentioned, I thought the Easter Rd location between Old Town and Leith, makes it convenient!
Thanks!
