Hotels

Edinburgh offers many options for accommodations, from the super posh and fabulously pricey five-star hotels to down-and-dirty bunkhouses and youth hostels. It is a city that anticipates bundles of tourists and travelers, whether seasonal backpackers, school groups, and families -- or professional types in the Scottish capital on commercial and governmental matters. Be warned, however. During the month-long period of the Edinburgh Festival every August, the hotels, guesthouses, and B&Bs fill up. If you're planning a visit at that time, be sure to reserve your accommodation as far in advance as possible. Otherwise you may end up in a town or village as many as 40km (55 miles) from the city center. And don't be surprised if the standard rates for accommodation in Edinburgh are higher -- in isolated cases twice as high -- during August, particularly at smaller hotels.

The tourist board's Edinburgh Information Centre is near Waverley Station, atop the Princes Mall shopping center, 3 Princes St. (tel. 0845/225-5121 or 0131/473-3800, or 44-150/683-2121 from overseas; www.edinburgh.org or www.visitscotland.com; bus 3, 8, 22, 25, or 31). The local information center, in conjunction with the Scottish tourist board, compiles a lengthy list of small hotels, guesthouses, and private homes providing a bed-and-breakfast for as little as £20 ($37) per person. A £3 ($5.50) booking fee is charged for reservations made using the Booking Hotline and a 10% deposit is expected. It's open year-round; typically the hours are Monday through Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 7pm, though it is open later during the Festival and closes earlier in the winter months.

The Scottish tourist board is also a source of star ratings, which are based largely on amenities. So the stars can be limited for smaller operations that may not offer all the mod conveniences but are still perfectly good places to stay. References to stars in the information below are those bestowed by VisitScotland.

The Internet can be a trove of discounted rates if you have the time and inclination to surf the Web. In some cases, the bargains are only available if using web-based booking services. Some of these special prices and promotions are noted. Also check the Edinburgh Principal Hotel Association website, www.edinburgh-hotels.org. Finally, booking for multiple nights in one hotel is another way to reduce your accommodation bills.

If you have an early flight out and need a hotel convenient to the airport, consider the 244-unit Edinburgh Marriott, 111 Glasgow Rd. (tel. 0131/334-9191), off A8 on Edinburgh's western outskirts. It offers doubles from about £150 ($277), including breakfast. Facilities include an indoor pool, gym, sauna, and restaurant.

Basic Chain Hotels -- If you're the type of traveler who thinks of hotels as just places to lay one's head at night, some of the better deals in town are found at the no-frills chains. In the heart of Old Town, try the Ibis (6 Hunter Sq., Edinburgh EH1 1QW; tel. 0131/240-7000; www.accor-hotels.com) where rooms cost between £55 ($102) and £77 ($142). In the West End, the Premier Travel Inn (1 Morrison Link, Edinburgh EH3 8DN; tel. 0870/238-3319; www.premiertravelinn.co.uk) is modern and functional with rooms at £77 ($142), although its Leith branch is cheaper still at £56 ($104).

Family-Friendly Hotels

A-Haven Townhouse -- With some guest rooms large enough to accommodate families, any brood should feel right at home in this small hotel in Leith.

The Carlton Hotel -- Kids will love the indoor pool. Parents will love the availability of extra-large units and the fact that cots are readily provided. It's right in the heart of town to boot.

Thrums Hotel -- This Southside hotel takes its name from J. M. Barrie's name for his hometown of Kirriemuir. Barrie is best known to children as the author of Peter Pan. Kids are made especially welcome at Thrums and have room to play outside.