Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Edinburgh, Scotland

The hotel is on George Steet overlooking pretty Charlotte Square. Explore the city's bars, restaurants and shops.

Great for transport links, Princes Street isn't far away and there's a tram stop less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel.

By car: around an hour from Glasgow, 2 hours 40 minutes from Newcastle and 5 hours from Manchester. Paid on-site parking available.

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 10-minute drive (or 15-minute walk) to the hotel. Book trains to Edinburgh.

This design-led hotel is decorated in rich colours with quality furnishings. There's a real attention to detail, particularly in the décor, and the lounge areas are inviting and relaxing.

Staff are wonderfully helpful. If it's too wet to hire a bike, head to the gym for a Peloton session instead. Facilties also include a 12m pool, steam room and sauna.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Swimming pool
• Gym
• Spa
• Wellness suite
• Pet-friendly
• On-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are a peaceful haven, with muted colours and tasteful furnishing. Bathrooms combine Edwardian fittings with contemporary décor and rainfall showers.

Room types: Essential, Premium, Suite, King Suite, The Townhouse Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, tea and coffee-making facilites, yoga mat, TV, free Wi-Fi

Choose between the BABA grill with its Middle Eastern offering with a Scottish twist, or enjoy relaxed fine dining at Aizle in the Garden Room. We loved everything on the six-course menu at Aizle - a world of imaginative cooking from the best Scottish ingredients.

BABA: Middle Eastern/Scottish fusion restaurant and bar. Open daily, from 12pm.

Aizle: fine dining restaurant, seasonal ingredients, themed menus. Open Wed-Sun, 5-8:30pm. Six-course menu from £105.