World City Guide

Hotels

Hotels usually include VAT, which currently stands at 17.5%, in their prices. There are, however, some exceptions and VAT may occasionally be quoted separately. Visitors should check when making a booking.

The prices quoted below are the starting prices, including VAT but excluding breakfast unless otherwise specified.

Business

Apex International Hotel
The Apex is located in the heart of the medieval Old Town, on one of the most atmospheric streets in the city. In complete contrast to its surroundings, the hotel itself seems modern, bright and spacious, with 175 airy rooms. There are two restaurants, one of which has stunning views of Edinburgh Castle. The hotel has a business centre and conference facilities, with six separate meeting spaces, including a converted University lecture theatre. Breakfast is a treat with great views of the castle.

31-35 Grassmarket
Tel: (0131) 300 3456. Fax: (0131) 220 5345.
E-mail: reservations@apexhotels.co.uk
Website: www.apexhotels.co.uk
Price: From £105.

The Bonham
Recently voted ‘Scottish Boutique Hotel of the Year’, The Bonham is a sumptuous boutique hotel situated in a quiet crescent, just a few minutes’ walk from Edinburgh’s West End. While the building is Victorian and retains many of its original features, the interior is decorated in bold colours, with plush contemporary furnishings and modern art. Each of the 48 rooms is individually decorated in a dramatic style and contains its own interactive TV, with Internet and e-mail access and computer services. The hotel has a popular restaurant and there is an events room for meetings and private dinners.

35 Drumsheugh Gardens
Tel: (0131) 226 6050. Fax: (0131) 226 6080.
E-mail: reserve@thebonham.com
Website: www.thebonham.com
Prices: From £180.

The Point Hotel
This 140-room award-winning boutique hotel is only a few minutes’ walk from Edinburgh International Conference Centre and is convenient for many of the city’s financial headquarters. Situated in a former Co-op store, it is a large, bright hotel with a high-tech, minimalist feel – very popular as a location for fashion shoots. Bright white walls are emphasised with fluorescent lights and brilliant acid colours on doors. Rooms are comfortable and airy, with enormous beds, stereo systems and satellite TV. The hotel restaurant serves contemporary Scottish food and there is also a bar/grill. The Point also has its own conference facilities, with six rooms able to accommodate up to 200 delegates.

34 Bread Street
Tel: (0131) 221 5555. Fax: (0131) 221 9929.
E-mail: info@point-hotel.co.uk
Website: www.point-hotel.co.uk
Price: From £125.

The Scotsman
This distinctive and luxurious hotel on Edinburgh’s North Bridge is housed in the former offices of The Scotsman newspaper. Many of the building’s original features have been retained and wooden panelling and high ceilings mingle with contemporary art and high-tech facilities, giving the hotel the air of a comfortable gentleman’s club. There are 68 bedrooms and the individually decorated rooms are equipped with interactive TVs with computing facilities and access to the Internet, printers and DVD players. Six rooms are available for meetings and events, including a custom built screening room. The hotel also boasts an excellent health spa and fitness club has a 16m (53ft) swimming pool.

20 North Bridge
Tel: (0131) 556 5565. Fax: (0131) 652 3652.
E-mail: reservations@thescotsmanhotelgroup.co.uk
Website: www.thescotsmanhotel.co.uk
Prices: From £185.

Luxury

The Balmoral
Old and new Edinburgh blend perfectly in a landmark hotel that many locals as well as visitors rate as the best in town; the Balmoral won Hotel Review Scotland’s ‘Edinburgh Hotel of the Year 2005’ award. There is a strong Scottish baronial feel to this five-star legend with a tall, distinctive clock tower that presides over the city centre. The hotel has been restyled by Olga Polizzi, Rocco Forte’s sister, and has a well-equipped health spa with pool. It also has a choice of bars and restaurants, including the elegant Palm Court and a champagne bar, not to mention a Michelin-starred restaurant. Situated at the top of Princes Street, next to Waverley station, it is in the very heart of the city and boasts great views of the Castle. All of the 188 rooms have benefited from a recent £7million refurbishment that has helped keep the Balmoral at the top of the tree. There is also a fully staffed business centre for meetings and seminars, as well as 10 ballrooms/function suites.

1 Princes Street
Tel: (0131) 556 2414. Fax: (0131) 557 3747.
E-mail: thebalmoralhotel@rfhotels.com
Website: www.thebalmoralhotel.com
Price: From £160.

The Howard
One of the most luxurious hotels in Edinburgh, The Howard is renowned for its sumptuous interior and high standards of service. The aim is to give every guest personal attention in a discreet and welcoming atmosphere. This is the place to come for sheer indulgence – as high-profile guests such as Tony Blair and Sean Connery are said to have discovered. The hotel has 18 rooms, with the luxury suites cosily located in the basement, and is situated in the elegant heart of Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town. Special touches include claw-foot baths, high-tech interactive TVs and the services of a dedicated butler. Some bathrooms have Jacuzzis and the hotel also has a large drawing room. The restaurant at The Howard serves dinner, although guests can, if they wish, dine in the comfort of their own rooms, at any time.

34 Great King Street
Tel: (0131) 557 3500 or (0131) 274 7402 (reservations). Fax: (0131) 557 6515.
E-mail: reserve@thehoward.com
Website: www.thehoward.com
Price: From £240 (including breakfast).

Moderate

Bank Hotel
Built as a bank in 1923, this inn is situated on Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile, almost halfway between the Castle and the site of the new Scottish Parliament. Although the bar below is open until 0100 (0300 during the Edinburgh Festival), there is no need to worry about noise, seeing as the rooms are surprisingly quiet. The hotel is simple in style – guests eat breakfast in the former bank manager’s office and eat dinner in the downstairs bar in the evening. The Bank Hotel is privately owned and only has nine bedrooms, each of which is individually decorated in a quirky style, to reflect the era of a famous Scot. The John Logie Baird room, for example, contains an early TV, while the Alexander Graham Bell room has lots of dark wood and a small telephone exchange.

1 South Bridge
Tel: (0131) 556 9940 or 622 6800 (reservations). Fax: (0131) 558 1362 (reservations).
E-mail: thebankhotel@festival-inns.co.uk
Website: www.festival-inns.co.uk
Price: From £80 (including breakfast).

Christopher North House Hotel
This elegant small hotel is situated in a quiet Georgian terrace in the Stockbridge district of Edinburgh – an attractive area with a village atmosphere, yet only about 10 minutes walk from Princes Street. The hotel has 15 individually designed rooms, fitted with rich drapes, antiques and custom-made furniture, and it also boasts an executive suite. Style is generally bold but comfortable, although the restaurant and bar downstairs are dominated by some dramatic Art Deco features, including large gold mirrors and statues. The hotel aims to provide personal service and a home-from-home feeling.

6 Gloucester Place, Stockbridge
Tel: (0131) 225 2720. Fax: (0131) 220 4706.
E-mail: reservations@christophernorth.demon.co.uk
Website: www.christophernorth.co.uk
Price: From £90 (including breakfast).

Other Recommendations

Malmaison
A former seaman’s mission, sitting on the waterfront of the trendy Port of Leith, Malmaison has a fresh and chic appeal and has just enjoyed a refurbishment that has revamped some rooms that were starting to look a little tired. The hotel’s style is bold and contemporary but still comfortable. Many of the 101 rooms have great views over the water and out towards the Firth of Forth or back towards Arthur’s Seat. The hotel pays great attention to detail, with fresh flowers and crisp, white linen and CD players in every room. Neat touches include Arran Aromatics toiletries, interesting drinks in the mini-bar and local add-ons like Trainspotting DVDs. It has a popular French brasserie, a bar and its own parking area. Being only 15 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh, the hotel is handy for businesspeople attending meetings at the nearby Scottish Executive, Ocean Terminal or Leith creative agencies.

1 Tower Place, Leith
Tel: (0131) 468 5000. Fax: (0131) 468 5002.
E-mail: edinburgh@malmaison.com
Website: www.malmaison.com
Price: From £119.

Orocco Pier
In 2003 this funky hotel opened on the site of an old coaching inn in the seaside suburb of South Queensferry. The chic modern rooms are on the right side of minimalist making the best use of natural light and of the tremendous views of the Firth of Forth and the twin bridges that vault spectacularly across the water. Neat touches include Molton Brown toiletries, guests DVDs and old telescopes in some of the rooms for peering out towards the open sea. Downstairs a popular bar/restaurant awaits as does a function suite making this a popular choice for everything from weddings through to business meetings.

17 High Street, South Queensferry
Tel: (0131) 331 1298. Fax: (0131) 331 4731.
E-mail: info@oroccopier.co.uk
Website: www.oroccopier.co.uk
Price: From £100.