We were in England and Scotland from May 8 - 21. I booked all of our hotels either online or thru email directly with the hotel and had no problems whatsoever.

1) Chipping Campden - Red Lion Inn. We paid 70 GBP for a small double room right on the High Street. It was OK for the one night but if I was to stay longer, I would book one of their larger rooms. There was guest parking at the rear of the hotel. Breakfast was limited but very good. I felt it was a good value.

2) Best Western Burn How Garden Hotel - Bowness-on-Windermere. This was the best surprise and favorite hotel of the entire trip. A lovely 3* hotel just a short walk to the Lake and shops but in a quiet garden setting. The staff could not have been nicer and the room was spacious and well decorated. They also have a good cook-to-order breakfast. I booked this through the BW website and with our AARP discount paid GBP 86 per night B&B. Would stay here again in a heartbeat.

3) Stirling Highland Hotel - Stirling. This is a 4* hotel in the former high school building just a short uphill walk from Stirling Castle. Rooms were spacious and they served a large buffet breakfast. I found a B&B rate of 90 GBP on their website. They have their own parking area adjacent to the hotel.

4) Pierhouse Hotel - Port Appin. This hotel was recommended by Sheila Ritchie and it was a gem! Down a single-track road on the shores of Loch Linnhe and across from Lismore Island, the location was perfect. We had the best food on our trip here. Fresh, fresh seafood and an attentive waitstaff. Everyone we met at the hotel was very friendly and treated you like a long lost friend. When I booked our room back in December, the rate was 85 GBP for a Loch View Room. Prices on their website now start at around GBP 140 for a double. However, if you can fit it into your budget, you won't regret it.

5) Hilton Hotel - Coylumbridge (near Aviemore). This hotel was too good a deal to pass up. 78 GBP for dinner, B&B. It's on 65 acres in the Cairngorms National Park. It's not a 4* property but the food was OK and it was well worth what we paid.

6) Atholl Arms Hotel - Dunkeld. A charming hotel located on the River Tay in Perthshire. The rooms are comfortable, not luxurious, but the food is outstanding and the staff very cordial. We had a river view room with DB&B for GBP 104 per night. We really loved Dunkeld and this hotel and look forward to returning.

7) Old Waverley Hotel - Edinburgh. This 3* property is right on Princes St. across from Waverley Station. You are close to everything but there is some street noise. Take earplugs and enjoy being able to look out onto the Scott Monument, Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle. We had a nicely furnished room (no A/C)and a good buffet breakfast. When arriving, be aware that you have to climb some stairs to reach Reception but there is a bell you can ring for assistance with your luggage. I had booked an Internet B&B rate of GBP 95 but prior to our departure laterooms.com had a considerably lower rate for the Sunday night. I emailed the hotel and they matched the lower rate. Good customer service!

8) Rubens Hotel - London. This is our 2nd stay at the 4* Rubens and I really like this hotel. It's a couple of blocks from Victoria Station, Buckingham Palace, St. James and Green Park and there are lots of restaurants nearby. We paid GBP 125 thru londontown.com. The staff is very helpful and friendly and there is a great buffet breakfast. The rooms are smallish but well decorated with all the amenities.

I hope this is helpful to some of you. I'll be happy to answer any questions.

Excellent summary and very useful - I live in London, and know that you have to be so careful with UK hotels, I'm pleased you've had an enjoyable trip on the whole.

Good trip report! I like the review of the BW Burn How Garden...may try that this Sept. Thnaks for the info.

Great review, Betty. Concise and hitting all the important notes. I'm copying for my UK file.

Many thanks!

Betty, since this thread will soon drop deeply out of sight on Fodors, you may wish to post your comments on www.tripadvisor.com, where many more people will be able to advantage of your experiences.

Ron, I just posted a few of the hotels on tripadvisor. However, they say their editors must review everything before it is actually available for viewing and this could take several days.

Many people do use the Search function on Fodors so hopefully these reviews will be available for a long time.

Thanks for your hotel reviews, bettyk. I'm always very interested in hotel reviews as our hotel is an important part of our trip. I almost hate to see the Rubens mentioned as I'm always trying to reserve it at a good price!

daph, I know what you mean about the Rubens. We stayed there in 2002 and I was able to get a rate of GBP 99 (incl. VAT) thru londontown.com and have even seen that rate on their website a few times. But I think you'd have to go in the offseason now to get that good of a rate.

Hi, Bettyk,

Thanks for your reviews.

Have you stayed at any other hotels in the Red Carnation Group in London (of which the Rubens is a part)? Just wondering how you or others would rate hotels like the Chesterfield or Montague with the Rubens.

Thanks.

John H

Unfortunately, John, we haven't stayed at any of their other hotels. However, "41" is next door to the Rubens and it seems to get very good reviews. Perhaps other Fodorites have stayed at one of their other hotels.