Market Street Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland

You could easily miss the entrance of this hotel, as it slips handsomely into the Old Town skyline. Nearby places of note include the City Art Gallery and Fruit Market Gallery.

It's an ideal location for transport links, sitting opposite Edinburgh Waverley station, where parking can be arranged.

By car: around an hour from Glasgow, 2 hours 45 minutes from Newcastle and 4 hours from Manchester. Paid parking available nearby.

By train: Glasgow Queens Street to Edinburgh Waverley takes around 50 minutes, it's 3 hours from Manchester Piccadilly and 4 hours 45 minutes from London Kings Cross - after which, it's a 5-minute walk to the hotel. Book trains to Edinburgh.

The hotel gives off an air of upmarket urban chic - the look may be eclectic, but the feel is inviting. Not only beautiful, it's eco-friendly too, with sustainable Saintluc furniture and reusable glass.

Staff are friendly and so helpful, arranging everything from transfers to dry cleaning, as well as offering tips and recommendations on the local area. There's no gym on-site, but you're able to buy a pass for the nearby Nuffield gym

• Restaurant
• Bar

• Terrace

• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are simple with their oak and stone look but have a zen-like feel. Amenities include 'indulgence' cabinets and quality coffee for the espresso maker, a Dyson hairdryer, GHD straighteners and a clothes steamer. Marble bathrooms feature drench showers.

Room types: Cozy, Artist's Vista, Vista, Roomy, Roomy Bath, Mhor Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, bathrobe and slippers, espresso maker, bluetooth speakers, TV, free Wi-Fi

Dine at the Nor'loft for everything from a generous breakfast cooked to order to upmarket small plates. Dishes include brie and Champagne fondue, monkfish and serrano ham, or pork belly and queenie scallops with roast cauliflower purée. We loved the flight of Champagne with oysters and mignonette (followed by a bramble and cognac brownie).

Nor'Loft: relaxed rooftop setting, small plates. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.