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As its name suggests, Malmaison looks to France for inspiration, and provides a winning mix of good brasserie food and contemporary styling in its rooms – wonderful bathrooms! Nicely set on the quay, next to Fishers (see Fishers, Leith) .

Joining its sister hotel up the road at No. 31, with modern, simple and functional rooms, and a mix of business and family facilities (photocopying and secretarial services in the former case, cots and high chairs in the latter).

Victorian town house hotel, close to the glorious Botanic Garden (see Logan Botanic Garden) . Try for the sumptuous four-poster room, or consider the Georgian self-catering apartment in the New Town.

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) .

The George retains many period details and trades on its evocation of a bygone era – the early 19th century to be precise. Price category a little misleading, as cheaper deals can nearly always be struck.

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.

For self-catering in style, The Northumberland St apartment offers two double rooms and a single; the two leafy Abercromby Place properties have a double, plus two beds in a screened-off section of the living room. Two/three-night booking policy.

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.

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)

Small B&B hotel, nicely placed in the New Town – quiet and leafy, yet close to many good restaurants, plus the shops of George St, Rose St and Princes St. Smartly decorated rooms, in a 19th- century ilk, with the modern requirements of TV and drinks facilities.