Reply to: Edinburgh

[Lockhouse]

I just wanted to say thanks very much for all the links and recommendations. More than enough for the weekend we're going to be there.

We've booked The Balmoral; eating in their main restaurant one night and The Fishers on the other. I'll use some of your other recommendations for lunch - so they won't be wasted.

Mucho appreciated.

[CoolCat]

Novotel at Edinburgh park is good, has a pool, right next to tram and Edinburgh park train station so 5 mins to the center, and on tram route form airport.

[darmstadt]

I always thought McDonalds was a traditional Scottish restaurant

Domhnall mac Raghnaill, the eponymous progenitor of Clan Donald (Clann Dhòmhnaill, "Children of Donald"), was from the Hebrides, but lived most of his life on the Scottish mainland, where he developed the earliest known version of the "haimburgour", a pattie of minced haggis to be eaten between two slices of "bannock bread"....

[scooterscot]

My home city Mk II.

When it comes to recommendations of the best and latest places to eat then refer to the list. Events and what's on is also listed. However eateries, a friend does the reviews, that are on top never disappoint.

https://www.list.co.uk

My own personal favourite for that special meal is the Grain Store Restaurant - you'll need a deep pocket but well worth the money IMO.

Go here for lunch:http://www.theoutsiderrestaurant.com. No matter how many times I visit home I'm always making sure I squeeze in a visit to the outsider.

After dinner you might try the http://www.smws.co.uk, although I'm not sure it's open to members of the public.


PM me and if you want accommodation, we've a apartment with a wood burner, which you'll want at this time of year.

[Lockhouse]

Are you flying or taking the Bentley ?

Flying, only because it's quicker.

[tarbera]

Are you flying or taking the Bentley ?

[MrMarkyMark]

Similarly, Hotels in Cardiff - Cardiff Hotels - Royal Hotel Cardiff is doing excellent prices and 5 mins walk from the train station in the centre of the city. No car parking and no evening meals but you are in the centre of a city with lots of food options available within 5 mins walk. Possibly the best room I've stayed in with the exception of an executive suite in Nice at B&B prices.

Long walk to the center of Edinburgh, from there, though, eh?

[BigRed]

Royal British, Princes Street - Edinburgh is over the road from Waverley Station and reasonable rates. Check that the room you book has been refurbished last year in case they haven't finished them all yet. Very reasonable rates.

Similarly, Hotels in Cardiff - Cardiff Hotels - Royal Hotel Cardiff is doing excellent prices and 5 mins walk from the train station in the centre of the city. No car parking and no evening meals but you are in the centre of a city with lots of food options available within 5 mins walk. Possibly the best room I've stayed in with the exception of an executive suite in Nice at B&B prices.

[d000hg]

Guildford Arms IS nice although it seemed to me Edinburgh is chock-full of small, characterful pubs.

We went here for breakfast, it was pretty cool: The City Cafe | Diner by day, drinks by night.

[ContractorHardman]

I recommend The Glasshouse. We stayed there a few years ago and it has closed and been renovated since but if it is up to the same standard it is a fine boutique hotel very close to the centre.

I have never been in the North British but I have to say it has a reputation as a fine old railway hotel.

It has actually, my old manager stayed there and it is a really nice place to stay! Good shout!

[ContractorHardman]

My home city:-

Hotel - Avoid Malmaison in Leith, it is going through a refurb until Feb although generally nice. For high roller: Scotsman, Balmoral, Waldorf are all within the City Centre.

Dinner:-

Leith has some of the nicest places to eat in Edinburgh. They have Martin Wishart, Tom Kitchin which are Michelin starred. They also have the Flying Dog which is my favourite place. The top 3 place in the UK to have a hot dog and yes, its definitely an amazing hot dog, gourmet with no crap. Fishers is amazing for Sea Food. Chaoprya (Sp) for Thai food and it also has a nice view. Kings Wark is the best place to have a Sunday Roast and that is in Leith.

Bars:-

Cocktails - I recommend Panda & Sons, it looks like a barber shop from the outside but it has some really cool cocktails. Tonic is also another great place for cocktails. The Bar in the Scotsman also gets an honourable mention.

Nice ones - Guildford Arms, its a really cool old man style bar. Brauhaus has an amazing selection of German beers and 3 selections of wine... House Red, House Rose and House White.

Areas:-

Leith - Amazing wee place and it is full of history. You can learn of the history between Leith and Edinburgh. They didn't always get along and they were separate until 90 odd years ago. The people of Leith voted not to join Edinburgh but were ignored. It also has converted Whiskey Bonds, etc. If you read up before you go then its a cool place to visit.

City Centre - Castle, Bus tours is good, Dynamic Earth is nice and of course a visit to the National Museum is worth a visit. Jackie Stewarts F1 Car is on display. The Royal Mile is a very scenic place to visit and usually get the usual tourist attractions of ghost tours.

Any help, just post in here and I can try and answer your questions

[expat]

I recommend The Glasshouse. We stayed there a few years ago and it has closed and been renovated since but if it is up to the same standard it is a fine boutique hotel very close to the centre.

I have never been in the North British but I have to say it has a reputation as a fine old railway hotel.

[Jeebo72]

I'm taking the missus to Edinburgh next month for the weekend. Somehow I've never got round to visiting there before. I've been told the place is full of Scotch people. Not booked a hotel yet but any recommendations for a contractor stylee place to stay and what to see would be welcomed!

Scotsman hotel. Fishers for dinner.

[MrMarkyMark]

FTFY

Stayed at the Sheraton - nice place but rooms had en-suites with glass walls. Not good for having a swift bit of "self love", when the missus wasn't up for it

[Gumbo Robot]

Went up with the missus for a long weekend in December.

Stayed at the Sheraton - nice place but rooms had en-suites with glass walls. Not good for sound/light proofing.

Found some nice places for cocktails - Monteith's, & the bar of the Scotsman Hotel. If I went back, I'd definitely stay at the Scotsman. Seemed to have all the grandeur without feeling it was part of a chain.

Also would well recommend eating at the Witchery up by the castle - has a very dark, gothic feel to it & food was excellent; you'd need to book in advance though.