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An absolute steal – bright and comfortable modern hotel, hewn from a rustic stone building to the west of the city centre. In such a compact capital, none of the main sights is very far away, and either the Old Town or Princes St can be reached within a 15-minute walk. TVs in all the rooms, decent beds, uncluttered décor, en-suite showers.

Smart, neat, clean, functional hotel that makes up for in prime location (just off the Royal Mile) what it lacks in generosity of space in the tiny bedrooms and bathrooms.

Pick of the budget hotels – fantastic value for a modern chic hotel. Unfussy décor and large windows give a convincing illusion of space in bedrooms that come with all the minimalist frills: that is, fancy TV, DVD player and full-on waterfall-type shower in the bathroom.

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.

Rising up above Waverley Station, and therefore enjoying splendid views, this is one of the smarter budget chain hotels. Décor is kept simple, and all the rooms have satellite TV and air-conditioning – on the off chance that the city’s temparature soars. Well placed for the Old Town attractions, and a short walk over North Bridge to Princes St.

A new style of hostel that provides a mix of dormitory and private rooms, some en suite. As well as laundry facilities and lockers, there are hot tubs, saunas and internet access. There’s also a bar on site.

Unlike most of the other hostels in Edinburgh, this one is away from the madding crowd, amid the genteel respectability of the West End, though still within a 10-minute walk of Princes St. Lounge areas, games room, kitchen and laundry; dormitory accommodation only.

One of the smaller hostels, and all the more cosy and relaxed for that. Room for 56 guests in spacious dorms with white stone walls and wooden floors. Good showers, laundry and cooking facilities, and – as with all the hostels, in fact – superbly located, in this case right in the thick of it on the Royal Mile.

Bustling 24-hour hostel, central to the action. No frills, but plenty of smiling faces, most off to spend money saved on accommodation in the local bars.

The smallest of the hostels, with room for 38 in simple, clean dormitories. Backpackers also has the Castle Rock hostel (0131 225 9666) if other branches are full.