See The best hotels for city breaks in the UK

A guide to the best city break destinations in the UK, featuring the top hotels to suit all budgets in locations including Bath, York, London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Manchester and Brighton.

EDINBURGH

From the history-soaked medieval tenements, vennels and wynds of the Old Town to the sweeping elegance of the Georgian New Town, Edinburgh deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and compelling cities in the world. This is a city that repays close inspection so the best way to get to know it is on foot. There are amazing views, hidden courtyards, secret gardens and stunning architectural details to be discovered almost everywhere you look.

WHERE TO STAY

LUXURY

The Balmoral Hotel

The Balmoral is located next to Edinburgh’s main Waverley railway station, at the eastern end of Princes Street, and a short walk from the National Gallery and shopping areas. Built as a railway hotel, it has accommodated film stars, royalty and prime minsters. In 1997 it was bought by Sir Rocco Forte as the first hotel in the Rocco Forte Collection and completely refurbished by his sister, the designer Olga Polizzi. Original features include ornate plasterwork in the reception, an elegant well staircase and the dome-ceilinged Palm Court tearoom and bar in the centre of the hotel.