We'll be in Edinburgh for 3 nights in June. I've been looking at accommodation and I have a few questions:
1) I'm uncertain how far some of the neighborhoods are - we like to be centrally located. I figure Old Town is that, New Town sounds promising, but what else is walkable?
2) I like breakfast included, a quiet room (I'm not a good sleeper), nice but doesn't have to be luxurious. Oh, and wi-fi and an in room safe are pretty much requirements. I'd like to stay under $250 a night. Possible?
3) Outside of cities I frequently go for B&Bs. I don't have a lot of experience with B&Bs in cities. But there look to be some nice ones. Recommended?

Sometimes we book directly with the hotel, but we have experience booking through Expedia, and most recently Tingo (and got quite a bit of money back, enough for an upgrade at an hotel in Spain last year). Any opinion on whether it matters who you book through? Just look for the best deal?

Thanks for all your help,
Alice

1) Old Town is at the top of the ridge, New Town is on the bottom of the ridge - those are primarily your walkable areas. Old Town is more walkable to more sites mainly because that is where more of the major sites are located.

2) Most any B&B or Guest House includes breakfast - but I've only ever stayed in one B&B anywhere in the UK that had an in-room safe.

$250/£150 is generous for a B&B, not so generous for a hotel that would have things like safes/ free wifi/breakfast included.

14 Hart St. is a wonderful B&B in Edinburgh. We have stayed there several times. check the reviews on Trip Advisor.

Shopping is in the New Town, most historic sites are in the Old Town. National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery are in between.

The ridge is steep, so if you have physical limitations you will wind up taking a taxi or bus between the two towns, both of which are Worth It.

But if you star your your historic walk with a taxi to the Castle, pretty much everything else is downhill from there.

You didn't ask, but it is not a city where you want to drive.

And I have never seen a room safe in a B&B anywhere either, and it wouldn't occur to me that I would need one.

I second 14 Hart Street - a wonderful B&B. However I should add that all over Scotland, the B&B's are absolutely wonderful and far better that the average hotel. We were there for 10 days, and only stayed one night in a hotel. All the other nights were at B&B's.

Well, I'm very happy to hear about B&B's in Scotland and I will definitely check out 14 Hart Street. I generally use a safe for our passports, it's easily done at the desk.

We're pretty good walkers, but are not averse to taking a bus or taxi when needed! And we will be renting a car when we LEAVE Edinburgh, cars are only an expensive nuisance in cities, in my opinion.

Thanks SO much,
Alice

Another vote for 14 Hart Street - we stayed there a couple of nights and loved it. I'm not a great sleeper either when I'm away from home but our room was quiet. Breakfast was very good too.

Just remember, Old Town is up. Whatever direction you walk in Edinburgh, Old Town is up.

And up.

And up.

Bring comfortable shoes.

And if you or the other half/members of "we" want to get down faster - go to Royal Mile Whiskies ;-)

>>I generally use a safe for our passports, it's easily done at the desk.<<

. . . In a B&B ? Most B&B's don't have desks. They may have a table in the front hall that holds a few brochures and a guest book - that's as close to a desk as you'll find in a B&B. B&Bs really don't have security issues - they are private homes and there aren't slews of strangers/guests traipsing in and out.

Many B&Bs we've stayed in have a desk area (they still need a place to do business and to have their computer) - and often there has been a safe for the guests. Not always, though, that's true.

I am prepared for walking up and down!

Alice

Hi A9,

14 Hart St, for sure.

See Ira Visits the UK and France - 2013
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-france.cfm

Enjoy your visit.

ira! Long time no see! 14 Hart is BOOKED. And it has occurred to me that my husband received a nice travel gift certificate I need to spend soon - so maybe we can treat ourselves to something over our usual budget in Edinburgh - any suggestions for a (not over the top) treat?

Alice

So I looked for a while online - is anyone familiar with the Bonham or Fraser Suites? There are some deals with some of the online bookers.

Thanks very much,
Alice

Alice,

There are several other good B&B options in Edinburgh.

Check them all out here:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-...nd-Hotels.html

Of course, June is a popular time to visit, so most will probably be full, but you should still check them out.

Fraser Suites could not be in a better location. Literally steps from the Royal Mile and St Giles cathedral. Close to the castle and Grassmarket and many restaurants/cafes/pubs.

On a mp it might look walking distance from Waverly station, but it isn't since it is quite up hill.

janisj, location was one of the things I liked best about Fraser Suites. I have looked at a number of B&Bs and many were full - also a number of them were a little less conveniently located.

Alice

Hi A,

Good advice re the Fraser.

Find time to see the carvings of Angels with Bagpipes in the Thistle Chapel of the St Giles Cathedral.

Enjoy your visit.