Where should I stay in Edinburgh??

[Kitsmummy]

We want to take a family half term break in Edinburgh (me, DH, DD 13 and DS 18) in February.

The main reason for this break is to show DS what a great city Edinburgh is (it's the top Uni for the course he wants to do).

I'm looking at hotels and apartments and am wondering if I should be aiming for the city centre or if there are specific areas (Haymarket???) which would be great?

Also, suggestions for places to see/things to do when we're up there would be great! Thank you

Airbnb and other short term letting providers are causing huge housing problems in Edinburgh. I think people should consider the impact they have before so casually advocating them.

Airbnb has also been exposed as, let us say, an environment where racists can act with impunity. As someone with a clearly non-English name I would never, ever consider attempting to book accommodation through them.

If that matters to you, OP, I’d consider choosing accommodation that’s more accountable and better regulated.

Premier inn Waverley station as another poster stated.close to train station for you and all the buses you need.newish premier inn so very comfortable and wins hands down on cost.
We have flown up every 2 years or so, straight into tram to the stn and 10 mins walk.

We stayed in Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre. Very near the train station to drag our bags. It was quiet, clean and breakfast was good. It was on a very good deal, though, so cheap for us. Absolutely loved Edinburgh.

Another vote for Premier Inn Waverley station. Stayed there for a weekend away with friends. It was spotless and the staff were lovely.

Re. Airbnb, gosh, I had no clue these were such a big problems. www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edinburgh-news/scottish-government-announce-airbnb-crackdown-17534113

The things you learn on mumsnet ...

Look at Lothian Buses maps. Day tickets a good idea.
www.lothianbuses.com/maps-and-times/network-maps/

The Merchiston campus is between Bruntsfield and Morningside. Right near " Holy Corner" ( 3 churches at intersection) Take a wee look on the map to see if you want to stay in that area.
I think you'd need 2 buses if coming from Haymarket.

We have lots of lovely walks around the city
2 big beaches one West atSilverknowes/ Cramond one in the East at Portobello/ Joppa. Smaller one at Wardie basin near Newhaven

You won’t need a bus to go between Haymarket and Bruntsfield, it’s only a mile or so

@Nevermindthefurball

You won’t need a bus to go between Haymarket and Bruntsfield, it’s only a mile or so

Depends how much of a cheapskate you are.

@Nevermindthefurball

You won’t need a bus to go between Haymarket and Bruntsfield, it’s only a mile or so

@CraftyGin it's faster to walk between Haymarket and Bruntsfield- there is no direct bus. Nothing to do with being a cheapskate.

We stayed at the Hub Premier Inn in Rose Street. A few rooms are internal but clean and light (so ask for ones with windows if you prefer) and breakfasts are simple continental and porridge, but it was very clean, comfortable and a great location for the train station, buses (although we never used them), castle, shops, museum and ten mins away you're on the edge of the Old Town. We found some traditional Scottish pubs and a nice mexican restaurant nearby. Location wise, you can't go wrong staying anywhere within ten mins of the train station. If you stayed near Edinburgh Uni/The Meadows, just be aware they'll be quite a lot of students around late at night (not saying they'll be a problem though).

We did a dungeon tour which we really enjoyed for the novelty and also history.

You should get an apartment in February with enough space for all of you at a reasonable price. Booking.com have good options.

What is this obsession with staying near the train station - as if proximity to an escape route were the sole point of any travel?

Just choose somewhere in the city centre that you all like the look of, OP! I promise you won’t find yourselves stranded, far from civilisation, with no way home.

The hub was fun. Tiny compact room, but with tech and clean. You pay for the floor space. Cheap

What is this obsession with staying near the train station Because the airport bus and tram both go to it/nearby, maybe.

But the Rutland hotel I mentioned isn't very far away and I have also stayed at the Radisson on the Royal Mile which is fairly close. And the George - on - er - George St is also only a 5 min walk from the station at most.

The best thing about visiting Edinburgh by plane is the fact that the bus and tram are such fantastic services into town (I've actually only used the bus but the tram is right there). Of course, if you get the train (I know the OP isn't) you are right in the centre anyway.

@NigellaSeed

The hub was fun. Tiny compact room, but with tech and clean. You pay for the floor space. Cheap

I once looked at that when I was going to do a (running) race in Edinburgh. In the end I decided not to go but that would have been my cheap accommodation choice.

The hub is great but not somewhere I'd want to stay for more than a couple of nights. It's worth getting the bigger room if you do stay there though (I'm too old to be clambering over DH in the middle of the night to go to the loo! 😄)

Stayed at Motel One Royal last weekend abd it was fabulous!

I’ve spent countless nights in Hub rooms (mostly in London) but I’m so old I cannot imagine sharing even one of the larger rooms with another human.

(This is the same me that spent six months sharing a single bed with my then boyfriend in our first flat. About thirty years ago. How the years do un-mellow a person …)

On our 10th wedding anniversary, we stayed at The Balmoral
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What about staying around Leith/ Ocean Terminal/Newhaven area.

There's an airport bus goes to Ocean Terminal.

The tram goes from airport to city centre but there's 4 airport buses going to various locations in the city.
www.lothianbuses.com/our-services/airport-buses/

[quote ratspeaker]What about staying around Leith/ Ocean Terminal/Newhaven area.

There's an airport bus goes to Ocean Terminal.

The tram goes from airport to city centre but there's 4 airport buses going to various locations in the city.
www.lothianbuses.com/our-services/airport-buses/[/quote]
Just no.

We stayed at the leonardo right near the castle. Normal city hotel, no onsite parking but could nearby

These tours are good www.auldreekietours.com/
Also Mary Kings Close and if you have time the weirdness that is Gilmerton Cove (you would need fo get a bus for this…) www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/gilmerton-cove-p548731

Jeez, do no this subject yourself to the airport bus to ocean terminal!! You'll loose half a day of your holiday, if it even turns up.
The team and airlink 100 bus go straight into the city centre via Haymarket. A black cab would be about £25 each way and isn't much quicker than the bus. Stay somewhere central and have the convenience of having everything on your doorstep and easy transfers.
If you make a shortlist of options we can probably advise which would be best. Depending on budget Knights Residence serviced apartments always get good reviews and might be cheaper than 2 hotel rooms.