B+B Edinburgh

I took this tour a couple of years ago, arrived 2 days early and opted to stay at the tour hotel. It was not the B+B Edinburgh hotel, so I can't speak to that particular hotel.
Unless cost is a major factor, I'd just try to get a room at the tour hotel. That way, you're settled for the next few days and don't have to mess with checking out and checking in, shlepping luggage, etc. Edinburgh is an easy town to navigate no matter what part you stay in. Enjoy, it's a great tour!

I took this tour in September. The hotel we stayed at was too expensive (and the guide said we were the last group to stay there as Rick can't afford it anymore either) so I stayed at the Premier Inn at York Place for 3 nights before the tour. It was very nice, reasonable, right at the end of the tram line from airport, on several good bus routes with many eating options nearby. I would recommend it.

When we did the RS Best of Scotland tour last august, we came in a week early. I looked to see if staying a week prior to the tour at the same tour hotel- the Parliament Hotel was feasible, but the cost was outrageous- over £250 a night if I recall, and they couldn't put us for the entire week, because the RS tours and another tour company book most of the rooms in advance.
Two days early may be possible but find out how much it cost.
We stayed at an AirBnb just off the royal mile for the week. (great location) and then just took an uber from there to the Parliament when it was time to check in to the tour hotel.
For two days, a regular B&B is probably less hassle., but find one close to the Royal Mile for convenience. We almost stayed at the Premier Inn on the Royal Mile for the convenience factor. ( but canceled that when we found the AirBnb)

I had the same question as you so hopefully someone who has stayed here can give us some advice.

I’m on the May 2nd RS Scotland tour which is staying here too. I’m a single traveler and the B+B Edinburgh is a little pricy and not as close to the Royal Mile as I wanted. Currently I’m planning to stay two nights before the tour at a hotel on the Royal Mile so I can just walk around easily to see the main sights not covered on the tour.

I will stay one extra night at the B+B Edinburgh after the tour, so that I’ll have two nights in the same place. I’m staying in Scotland another week to spend time in the Highlands, so I’ll have a chance to get caught up on sink laundry and have an unplanned day before heading out again. I think this will be a great tour and I’m super excited about it!

I’m so happy for you Tricia. We are very excited to tour Scotland too. Have you been on a RS tour before? If not you are in for a treat. We did a RS Italy tour last year and it was wonderful. All the hotels we stayed in were charming, even elegant and so well located. So I’m hoping the B+B will be as good. Yes the extra days I have requested are a bit more pricey than I hoped. The convenience may win out but I’m still looking around. I’m waiting on a reply re the RS guest price. I will comment again if they come through with a better deal.

We're hoping to take the RS Tour of Scotland in October, so we'll be interested in your experiences. When we took the RS Tour to Ireland we stayed in B&Bs the night before and the night after the tour. Not only were these lodgings comfortable and modestly priced, they allowed us to interact more with people who live there. These were personal experiences that enhanced our overall visit to the country. We used AirBnB (which I've also used in the States); booking directly with a B&B can also work well.

We've stayed there a couple of times and were well pleased both times. It is within walking distance of the tram line (let me know if you need details) and were did not find the location to have any drawbacks at all. We were able to use tram and feet to get everywhere we wanted.

B+B Edinburgh has responded to me very quickly and polite. They do not offer a discounted rate to RS guests so the rate is quite expensive imo. It is a Hotel not a simple owner operated place and it does look lovely. I am currently searching AirBnb as they have some wonderful looking places nearby that might be the right fit for a couple of seniors just needing a place to recover from jet lag. We will be traveling lite re RS requirements so moving will not be a chore.

On my RS Scotland tour in June 2019 we stayed at the Bonham Hotel. It was a great location and beautiful hotel with bar and attached restaurant. It was only a block or so from the street up into the Royal Mile. Edinburgh is a terrific walkable city, and we took buses as well just down the street out to the Royal Yacht Brittania and Roslyn Chapel.