Hi TC,
I'm also going to the tattoo for the first time this year and have booked my tickets. A friend of mine went on a coach trip a couple of years ago and said most of the seats have a pretty good view though you're better the lower down you can get. Their tickets were included in the package and were very high up, she said it was still a good view but you felt a bit out of it.

Most of the Travelodges are in walking distance but this site is really helpful if you're unsure http://www.walkit.com/cities/edinburgh/

We've been in several seating areas of the tatoo and saw everything. Can get very cold so take a rug for your legs. Travelodge is easy for tatoo and is central for most things. I have stayed there and would stay again. Public transport is great too, but you'll enjoy going "Shank's Pony" too.

There is a new travel lodge opened up on Rose street - noticed the other day when I walked past it. really handy location!

Cool post! Now i do not need to dig the internet for travel information or buy an Edinburgh info pack.

I'm looking for accommodation for myself and hubby either on or just off Princes Street in Edinburgh. It's for 3 nights beginning on the 22nd Feb. We're not fussy, we'd just like a clean comfortable hotel which won't break the bank. Your help would be appreciated please.

The Mount Royal is a good one on Princes Street Helen - epsecially if you get a room at the front. It's a Ramada hotel - quick look on their website is showing a double at £67.50 per night for your dates. I have stayed there and found it really good - location couldn't be much better, and very close to the railway station if you were coming by train.

Meerkat - Shirley h recommended that one as well, although it's been a couple of years since she stayed there. However the reviews on TA put me off completely - one even said they had a mouse in the room not that I believe everything I read. I've just booked the Macdonald Holyrood whch I found for £200 b & b, and it has a pool, sauna, jacuzzi e.t.c. and airport transfer. Although not directly on Princes street, it's central enough.

Ooh, I hadn't seen recent reviews - just went by my own epxerience Helen. The one you have booked is in a nice part of town.

I've never been further than Gretna Green Meerkat, although hubby's been to Edinburgh many years ago, when he went with our son on a rugby tour. Shirley h told me the Holyrood was in a nice location. Looking forward now

Edinburgh's a great city for a break Helen - I go every couple of months to stay with my friend and catch up. Let's hope the weather is a bit better for you when you go.

The Edinburgh dungeons is worth a visit Helen- We had great fun there and needed a brandy in the bar across the road to calm our nerves

Macdonald Holyrood is in a quiet area but very well located for the Old part of the city. Just along from the hotel you have the Dynamic Earth Centre, the Parliament Building and the Palace. You are just off of the Royal Mile and although it`s uphill for you there is lots to see. Personal favourite is the Childhood museum and of course the castle right at the top of the Mile. Some decent restaurants in this part as well. The sightseeing bus is good at any time of year and although they start from outside the station I beleive you can join along the route , your hotel should be able to advise. Personally I would always choose this part of the city except perhaps at Christmas/New Year when the Gardens area is the place to be. We stayed last New Year at the Mount Royal and the view from the lounge was outstanding, rooms were fine but I never pay top dollar for any of my city breaks. Weekend before Christmas we stayed at the Macdonald Roxburghe hotel in the new town and had nothing to complain about.
We visit Edinburgh as often as we can it`s our favourite city with lots to do and see.

thanks for that - I'm getting excited now

Yes the Museum of Childhood is really good as is the Hop On Hop Off bus. I can also recommend a Ghost Walk, but I can't remember the name of the one we went on.

luci

I'm looking for accommodation for myself and hubby either on or just off Princes Street in Edinburgh.

Helen, linking this with your other recent thread on hotel prices in the UK, you'll get much better value if the avoid Princes Street. There are some lovely hotels along it but they'll all be pricey - you'll get a much better deal if you look at places in the Old Town to the south of Princes Street or in the New Town north of it.

But personally I think that it is much better value to avoid hotels and go self-catering in an apartment. For example, last Ocotber, on the spur of the moment I toook my parents dow to Edinburgh for a short break and got a really good deal on a well-equipped 2 bedroomed apartment in the New Town for £90 per night - we wouldn't have got 2 rooms in a central placed hotel for that and this also gave us the benefit of a really lovely lounge and a dining kitchen. The only meal we had in was breakfast - something quick and light before heading out but there are plenty of places that you can get a decent breakfast out in if you don't even want to bother with that.

The VisitSoctland website literally has 100s on offer, including serviced apartments where a breakfast can be delivered to you each morning.

SM

We've just booked an apartment nr Holyrood for 3 nights in September for £65 per night including parking. Looks perfect for us - will report back properly after we've been.

Buses in edinburgh (lothians - which are madder and white (maroon)) are £3 per day all day.

Apart from the obvious attractions, does anyone have any recommendations for sightseeing, or even a lovely restaurant! We're staying at the Mc Donald Holyrood.

I know a less obvious one but it might be a bit chilly in February. I had it all planned out last September but my friends all bottled out! You can walk the Forth Road bridge. If you use the east side footpath you get a fantastic view of the famous rail bridge and the villages either side of the Forth but you'll need a head for heights. Trains to get you from Edinburgh to the north side run about every 15 minutes and cost about £5 return off peak, although you'd come back from the south side unless you actually want to walk both ways. I even found a useful pub for lunch on the south side. If you're interested I'll PM the details.