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A sparklingly modern guesthouse, converted from a schoolhouse close to Barra’s famous beaches. Laundry facilities, packed lunches and wheelchair access, too. Non-smoking; no pets. Only two bedrooms, but self-catering also possible.

Beautifully decorated Victorian West End home, and great cooking too. Comfort is assured in the bedrooms, and breakfast is served in the ample kitchen, using Scottish fare such as potato scones and Aberdeen butteries to augment the usual fryup staples.

This restaurant-with-rooms is a Scandinavian-style house with a “Best Small Hotel in Britain” award. Single-storey, easy wheelchair access, play area for children and views to Ben Nevis through the lovely pine trees. Dinner (by Master Chef Suki Barber) included with accommodation (see Old Pines) .

This stretch of Victorian terrace in the West End is the epitome of timeless, sophisticated luxury. The rooms, individually styled, are awash with luxurious fabrics to excite the touch and selected antique furniture. With sumptuous bathrooms and plenty of high-tech gadgetry in the bedrooms, why step outside the front door?

The most style-conscious hotel in town. Broad sweeps of intense colour add vitality to the sharp minimalism throughout, and the bedrooms and bathrooms are very well appointed and deeply relaxing. Good restaurant and one of the best bars in town (see Monboddo) .

Safe bathing, sandy beaches, colonies of puffins and wonderful isolation make the Isle of Muck (either isle of “pig”, or “porpoises”) a rat-race escapee’s dream. Port Mor House is a well-established guesthouse, run by the family that still owns and farms the island. After a day’s walking or beach-combing, indulge in superb and imaginative cooking.

Within a pebble toss of the sea, Port-na-Con is a former Customs House built over 200 years ago. Cosy rooms (only three) and a conservatory overlooking Loch Eriboll. Children-friendly, and a scrumptious restaurant (see Port-na-Con, nr Durness) .

Castle-like building on the Royal Mile. Spacious, if uninspiring, bedrooms within, and a plentiful supply of facilities, from the restaurant with lighting that recalls Watt’s first electrical experiments (see Rotative Steam Engine: James Watt (1736–1819)) to the leisure club, with jet pool, sauna and solarium.

Located in the residential area of Stockbridge – about a 10-minute walk from Princes St – Raeburn House is a fine Georgian villa. Pleasant décor with understated floral patterns and plenty of space. Currently, none of the rooms offers en-suite facilities (hence the budget price tag), but the hotel is to be upgraded in 2005. Festival Inns, who own the Raeburn, have various other hotels around town.

Very stylish rooms, with the contemporary chic of walnut head-boards paired with angora blankets. Such tactile comforts are complemented by DVD players, modem points and very good sound systems. (see Rick’s Bar)