Frommer's Scotland 8th Edition - To Parent Directory

86CHAPTER 4 . EDINBURGH & THE LOTHIAN REGIONExpect a huge roll-top bath built for two. The building is 17th century, filledwith open fires, opulent beds, luxurious sitting areas, a galley kitchen, and wallto-wallluxury. Before your arrival, the beds were broken in by the likes ofMichael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Pierce Brosnan, and Andrew LloydWebber.Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2NF. & 0131/225-5613. Fax 0131/220-4392. www.thewitchery.com. 6 suites. From £225 ($360) double. AE, DC, MC, V. Rates include continental breakfast. Bus 1 or 6.Amenities: 2 restaurants. In room: A/C, TV, fridge, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, safe.EXPENSIVEThe Bank Hotel Value This imposing hotel offers better value than manyof its competitors in this congested neighborhood beside the Royal Mile. Untilaround 1990, it was a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the past is stillevident in its Greek Temple design. High ceilings, well-chosen furnishings, andking-size beds provide comfort; all but one guest room has shower and tub bathrooms.Each bedroom celebrates the work of a famous Scot, including roomsdedicated to Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Alexander Graham Bell.Royal Mile at 1 S. Bridge St., Edinburgh EH1 1LL.& 0131/622-6800. Fax 0131/622-6822. www.festival-inns.co.uk. 9 units. £110–£140 ($176–$224) double with bathroom; £100 ($160) double without bathroom. Ratesinclude breakfast.AE, MC,V. Nearby parking £6.50 ($10). Bus: 4, 15, 31, or 100. Amenities: Bar; laundry service.In room: TV, coffeemaker, hair dryer, trouser press.Crown Plaza This is the best major hotel in the old city close to “RoyalEdinburgh.” This restored and mellow old brick building lies midway along theRoyal Mile, halfway between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. In spite ofthe antique geography, the hotel is thoroughly modernized and offers first-classfacilities, though lacking the old world charm of some of Edinburgh’s granddame hotels. It’s also one of the best-equipped hotels in the area, with such luxuriesas a leisure club with a jet stream pool and undercover parking. Most ofthe bedrooms are spacious and well-decorated; bathrooms contain tub andshowers and heated floors for those chilly Scottish mornings. Most of theaccommodations are nonsmoking.80 High St., Edinburgh EH1 1TH. & 0131/557-9797. Fax 0131/557-9789. www.crowneplazaed.co.uk.238 units. £100–£230 ($160–$368) double; £260–£330 ($416–$528) suite. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Bus 1 or 6.Parking £7.50 ($12). Pets accepted. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; indoor pool; health club; sauna; concierge;business center; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry/dry-cleaning service. In room: TV, dataport, minibar,coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron/ironing board, trouser press, safe.Holyrood Hotel We prefer this deluxe charmer to the grand palacehotels of Edinburgh. Holyrood launched itself into the millennium by beingproclaimed “Hotel of the Year for Scotland” by Automobile Association. Thisimpressive and exceedingly stylish hotel stands near the Scottish Parliament, thePalace of Holyroodhouse, and Dynamic Earth, and is only 5 minutes fromPrinces Street. Bedrooms are luxurious, with deluxe furnishings and elegant toiletries.The Club Floor is one of the best retreats in Edinburgh for luxurymindedguests: It has its own private elevator, lounge, and library along withbutler and business services.Holyrood Rd., Edinburgh EH8 8AU. & 0131/550-4500. Fax 0131/550-4545. www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk.157 units. £150–£250 ($240–$400) double, from £325 ($520) suite. Rates include buffet breakfast. AE, DC,MC, V. Bus: 25. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; indoor pool; health club; sauna; 24-hr. room service; laundry/drycleaning service; club-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV, fax, dataport, minibar, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron/ironingboard, trouser press, safe.