Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh, Scotland

The hotel overlooks the city's glorious Queen Street gardens. Stroll in the opposite direction and you'll find yourself in the desirable district of Stockbridge.

Located in the centre of Edinburgh's New Town, you're in one of the grander neighbourhoods.

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 15-minute walk to the hotel. Book trains to Edinburgh.

While it's grand - with its huge carved staircases and marble fireplaces - the hotel is also cosy, with plenty of seating areas in which to relax.

Staff are exceptional and the service is polished (almost as much as the cutlery) - there's also room service available. There was once a dress code for the dining room, but it's now been relaxed.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms on the upper floors are more traditional, with high ceilings, cornices and garden (or Firth of Forth) views. The downstairs rooms don't have the same views, but are stylish and upmarket.

Room types: Standard, Family, Executive, Classic, King, Four Poster

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, tea and coffee-making facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

The Abercromby Dining Room is soothing, from its décor to its food. Enjoy classics such as haddock and chips and mixed grill, or liven things up with veal saltimbocca or even nasi goreng. We recommend a nice wee scone and a pot of tea in front of the fire in the friendly bar.

The Abercromby Dining Room​: elegant restaurant, traditional Scottish cuisine. Open for breakfast and dinner for non-members.

The Cocktail Bar & Lounge: relaxed and cosy, bar food. Open Mon-Sat 7:30-12am. Bar food available 7:30am-3pm.