Where to stay in Edinburgh?

[McFarkus]

When I visited, the tourist office hooked my up with a bed & breakfast in a private home. It was a great experience.

[caig]

if you want somewhere cheap and central for the railway and Princes Street try the Osbourne Hotel on 0131-556-5577. Otherwise the Cairn Hotel

[Nervous Jock]

Thanks to all for the suggestions... sounds like the Marriott might fit the bill for this leg of the trip!

If your here I'd make the effort to try to get a place in town

[Phil]

I know Jock Scot suggested me but as I never stay in any Edinburgh hotels I am probably the last person to advise you. What I would say is that you might be best picking up a hire car at Edinburgh airport then driving to a hotel for the night before setting off on your travels. Arnold Clark have a depot there and I know them to be a highly reputable firm if you are looking for suggestions. There will be other big name rental companies there too.
I would not recommend driving into Edinburgh. It is a nightmare at the moment in the centre with roads closed due to tram works and even for locals finding your way around is a problem. It is not dangerous so don't be worried about that, but the route your map tells you is likely to be blocked and finding an alternative is hell. believe me.
I take it you are planning to "do Edinburgh" at the end of your visit so you would be best heading off on your travels and find a hotel en-route. There are plenty of Travelodges around and try TripAdvisor for plenty of helpful advice.

[Jock Scot]

Good points there Phil. I think I would head out of town too.Sorry I landed that on you. You are of course dead right, as you live there, you are unlikely to know the ins and outs of the local hotels. Ooops!

[Firetacoma]

Jock, we'll be back to see Edinburgh at the end.

Phil, I looked into renting a car on the day we arrive but it's the 4th of May and the couple of places I tried weren't open that day. Holiday I guess.

We don't plan on doing much driving in Edinburgh, that's why I was curious about hotels further out and closer to the airport/car rental places. I will take a look at those suggestions! I sure love this place, there are experts on everything from all over the world!

[Phil]

Don't worry about 4th May - it is a bank holiday only but all the care-hire places will be open. I will be flying back to Edinburgh airport myself that day from Madeira. There are plenty hotels near Edinburgh without going into the city and if you tell me what direction you are heading I can suggest some as well as routes to take. Also say whether you are looking for budget hotels or a mix. There is a Travelodge at Bannockburn for instance, just outside Stirling if you are headed that way. It is under an hour's drive from the airport. If I can be any help between now and Sunday let me know. Otherwise go to Trip Advisor, Scotland and you will find plenty of help there.

[Firetacoma]

We're going to be mostly playing it by ear... first head south to the tiny village of Chirnside (my surname, though spelled slightly different) and spend a day or 2 in the Borders. Then probably head back North stopping when and where we please. Not sure how far we may make it, perhaps as far as Inverness. No set plans. Enjoy the countryside more than cities so small rural areas. Still cannot believe how quickly it's coming up! We're very excited for the wedding (kilted) and the trip!

[Flag Folder]

Last year about this time we stayed in a B & B about a 15min bus ride to the south of Princess Street. It is much cheaper to rent the car on line from the US than to rent it there. You might look into B & Bs for your longer stay, they are more personal and homey than the hotels and a very filling breakfast is included. I also recommend that you get Rick Steves' book Great Britian or Europe Through the Back Door. I found them both to be extremely helpful, for planning the trip and getting to places I would not have found on my own.
I would recommend the literary pub crawl tour.

[ForresterModern]

If you end up in the central highlands anywhere near Huntley there is a lovely old chateau right behind old Huntley Castle that is now a wonderful hotel known as The Castle Hotel. Beautiful grounds, lovely rooms, great atmosphere, wonderful people, great food and drink, family owned and operated. Not necessarily a budget hotel, but not out of this world expensive either. Very central to a lot of places in the central highlands----distilleries, castles, etc...

Enjoy your trip wherever you end up.