I am looking for a nice place to stay within walking distance to the castle. Any Ideas?
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Edinburgh has several area with good B&B's. Some are longer walks than others from the Castle, but unless you go to edge of town you'll be within a 5 to 10 minute bus ride of the Royal Mile. The Dalkeith area has lots of B&Bs and small hotels, I've also stayed out by the Meadows, near Calton Hill, near the Botanic Gardens, and lastly near Murrayfield! Check out this website for B&B's in Edinburgh http://www.scottishaccommodationindex.com/edinburghmap.php. You can then look up the B&B for reviews on Tripadvisor or other review sites.
Pam
We're staying here: http://www.thevictoriantownhouse.co.uk/bookings.html
It was highly rated on TripAdvisor.com. Read reviews here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186525-d614209-Reviews-The_Victorian_Town_House-Edinburgh_Scotland.html
We're staying for 80 Euro/nt. She cut us a deal because we were staying for 6 nights.
We stayed at the MacDonald Holyrood Hotel.
It's not exactly in the city centre, but about a 10 minute or so walk to the Royal Mile from the hotel, then from the Royal Mile you can reach the castle.
The hotel staff was VERY friendly and that's where I first tried haggis and LOVED IT!
lol and I just realized you're asking for a b&b... but should you change your mind... I'd recommend this hotel.
i tried all of the rick steves places and from the message board. They are all full or very expensive.
It's not a b&b but we love staying at the Royal British. It is right across Princes St. from the train station and a quick 2-3 min. walk to the middle of the Royal Mile.
What are you calling expensive? Edinburgh is not a cheap town particularly in the summer. You might move out a little further in your search. I like the Inverleith. It's by the Botanic Gardens. You have to catch a five to ten minute bus ride to Prince's Street and the Royal Mile. Singles are still around 60 to 80 pounds depending on the time of year. It's the capital city and a tourist center and 2009 is homecoming so a lot of people are coming to Edinburgh. Did you search Tripadvisor? I just looked up the B &B that my sister and I stayed for our first visit. It is very economical if they have an opening. It's Beechcroft House http://www.beechcroft-edinburgh.fsnet.co.uk/about.htm We stayed there because our cousins in Orkney stayed there when they went to Edinburgh. Tripadvisor reviews are mixed, but old.
Pam
Anne,
Not sure if you checked out 23 Mayfield. My husband and I stayed there in October so it was off season rates I believe. It was really nice and any bus takes you to the Royal Mile. Taxi to and from the train station was fairly inexpensive as well!
Jill