Edinburgh for 2 nights

[guitarcarfanatic]

Hi All,

Sneaking away with the Mrs for a child free couple of nights at the end of Jan. Was thinking about booking the Fingal hotel - has anyone stayed? Or decent luxury alternatives?

And does anyone have any recommendations for restaurants?

Cheers,

Rob

[Chucklehead]

I haven't but is Leith where you want to be?

I stayed at the W Hotel a couple weeks back. It was lovely and well located.

[Regbuser]

Ondine is great, if you like fish, and can get in.

Also, the bistro in the basement of the French consulate.

[guitarcarfanatic]

Chucklehead said:

I haven't but is Leith where you want to be?

I stayed at the W Hotel a couple weeks back. It was lovely and well located.

Apparently, there is a new tram stop in front of the Fingal, but location was what was putting me off. Was think the Shore Bar for the first night when we arrive as it's in Leith, food reviews well and has live jazz. But I guess location is extra faff for coming back from exploring and then going back into the city for dinner.

[ecsrobin]

Teucthers Bothy near the Fingal is good for a drink and the chip butty was the best pub chips I’ve had so suspect the rest of the menu is good.

Kafeneion to steki is some very good Greek meze food and would recommend.

The ship on the shore is well reviewed but yet to visit.

Heron for fine dining I believe I had recommended on here but again still not visited.

There’s also some good breweries or distilleries around if you fancy a drink. The Barologist for a good cocktail although my favourite is panda & sons in the city.

The trans now running but it’s not a bad walk into the city if the weathers good.

[//j17]

Central Edinburgh isn't that big an area so no issues getting to/from Leith to the Castle, etc.

The Kitchen always worth a shout if you want a good restaurant near the Fingal.

[Regbuser]

Chucklehead said:

I stayed at the W Hotel a couple weeks back. It was lovely and well located.

Didn't know the was a Marriott W in Edinburgh now, but will use it as have a Marriott card, thx Chucklehead.

[ecsrobin]

If price isn’t an issue then this is nearby to save you heading back into the centre.

https://thekitchin.com/

[2 GKC]

Not sure what the grub is like but Dome Bar for a drink.

[guitarcarfanatic]

Thanks all - will check out the suggestions

[paulwirral]

“ the table “ is a good experience if your a foody , if you can get in as it’s basically an under stairs entrance hall to a large house and only seats a dozen or so .
You pay up front when you book and there’s a set tasting menu with 2 wine flight options and they don’t cater for any food intolerances .

[Tighnamara]

guitarcarfanatic said:

Hi All,

Sneaking away with the Mrs for a child free couple of nights at the end of Jan. Was thinking about booking the Fingal hotel - has anyone stayed? Or decent luxury alternatives?

And does anyone have any recommendations for restaurants?

Cheers,

Rob

Stayed at the Fingal last month for 3 nights, different and very well finished, definitely worth a visit, note the bar area in the restaurant is small.

Plenty nice places to eat in Leith as some have mentioned such as Kitchin,,Ship on the shore.
We didn’t eat on Fingal but by all accounts restaurant is very good.

Tram stop directly outside and 5 min to Princess Street.

[NaePasaran]

Chucklehead said:

I haven't but is Leith where you want to be?

I stayed at the W Hotel a couple weeks back. It was lovely and well located.

Leiths a far better option than the Disneyland-esque city center.

[s2kjock]

NaePasaran said:

Chucklehead said:

I haven't but is Leith where you want to be?

I stayed at the W Hotel a couple weeks back. It was lovely and well located.

Leiths a far better option than the Disneyland-esque city center.

A good bit quieter (in a good way) yet still plenty decent places to eat and drink - it was easy enough to get into the centre of Edinburgh on a bus before, and piece of cake now with the tram. The buses are great for getting further around Edinburgh also if you feel the need. The centre is horrid these days, albeit it won't be as bad at the end of January.

[ecsrobin]

Also the Ubers are cheap we used Ubers and buses during fringe from near the ring road and even after midnight the taxis for a 20min journey was around £10-12

[2 GKC]

s2kjock said:

A good bit quieter (in a good way) yet still plenty decent places to eat and drink - it was easy enough to get into the centre of Edinburgh on a bus before, and piece of cake now with the tram. The buses are great for getting further around Edinburgh also if you feel the need. The centre is horrid these days, albeit it won't be as bad at the end of January.

In what way is the centre horrid? Never struck me as such

[E63eeeeee...]

2 GKC said:

s2kjock said:

A good bit quieter (in a good way) yet still plenty decent places to eat and drink - it was easy enough to get into the centre of Edinburgh on a bus before, and piece of cake now with the tram. The buses are great for getting further around Edinburgh also if you feel the need. The centre is horrid these days, albeit it won't be as bad at the end of January.

In what way is the centre horrid? Never struck me as such

Me neither, having stayed and worked in both a fair bit over the last few years. The parts of Leith they've finished are good, and it's a lot better since the tram got finished, but quite a lot of it still looks a little post-apocalyptic for my taste for an expensive hipster enclave. Cutting Chaii is good though. Either way, if you're specifically going to Edinburgh, Leith isn't really it. I get it if you've "done" Edinburgh then you can definitely make a case but otherwise you may as well stay in actual Edinburgh and save the travel time for something more enjoyable. Certainly the centre can be busy and the obvious bits are quite touristy but there isn't really anything unique about Leith whereas you won't mistake Edinburgh for anywhere else.

[Tighnamara]

Leith also allows you to stay out of the ULEZ zone if driving and car not ULEZ compliant

[eein]

Kimpton on Charlotte Square is really nice. Heritage and modern rooms, has parking, good location, and really nice internal restaurant and bar areas.

I've used it a few times for the similar purpose to the OP, and prefer it over the Intercon (although it is also very nice).

[towser]

2 GKC said:

In what way is the centre horrid? Never struck me as such

Princes Street - once one of the best streets in Scotland, if not the UK, is a shambles, empty units, cheap tartan and shortbread shops - no sense of pride.

Buses everywhere.

Waverley Steps are now a plastic coated abomination - more of a nostalgia thing for me but I'm on a rant :-)

In general litter, lots of graffiti, puddles of vomit on the pavements

The never ending work on North Bridge.

I dunno - it just feels tired and complacent these days - used to be a real jewel.

Edited by towser on Monday 23 December 10:35