Edinburgh's New Town is the right base for a first visit: quieter than the Royal Mile, flat underfoot, and within fifteen minutes of the castle, the galleries and Stockbridge. Townhouse properties here trade ballroom-scale facilities for high ceilings, sash windows and genuinely central addresses.
Why we recommend it
Location does more work than amenities in Edinburgh. Being able to walk home from dinner in Stockbridge, rather than queueing for a taxi off the Royal Mile, changes the shape of an evening.
Good to know
Georgian buildings often mean stairs and no lift. Ask about a lower floor if that matters, and request a rear-facing room for quiet.
