SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND ALLISON HOUSE, EDINBURGH

Why?

Edinburgh. It's one of the world's most beautiful cities. Take in the likelihood of being able to stroll around the Old Town in the sun, yes, sun, and you're on to a winner.

Blissfully quiet at the moment - just a few tartan-adorned tourists; no mad, fire-breathing festival entertainers and the students are evacuating. Edinburgh, at its best:

sunny, beautiful and relatively quiet.

Postcard potential

Even with a disposable camera, every second street is a postcard.

The area around Allison House is plush, leafy and quaint, most of the houses are grand Edwardian guesthouses that were once the homes of the obscenely rich.

Fabulousness

Awelcoming face leads you along soft, plush carpets to a massive and recently refurbished bedroom. It's spacious and well-equipped:

comfortable seating, ample storage, and a huge, double bed. You'd expect a large, room-for-two bath, so finding a humble shower was something of a disappointment. Still, the generous measure of free whisky and sherry does help make amends.

Gut feelings

Allison House doesn't do dinner but we were happy to spend more of our day in the city centre where you are spoiled for choice when it comes to food. We found it impossible to walk past gourmet burger eaterie, Relish (217 High Street, 0131 225 8770, www. relishrestaurants. co. uk).

It boasts the biggest and best burgers I've had. Ever. Breakfast at the hotel, though, is the full works.

Fry-up, kippers, fruit, cereals, the lot.

Doorstep Challenge

The Old Town is a 15-minute stroll, and the Royal Mile, Holyrood, museums, galleries are all close. Our room overlooked Arthur's Seat, and, after over-indulging at breakfast, it made for a great walk. A few miles out of town, just across the city bypass, is Roslin village and its famous 15th-century chapel - 6 to get in, but it's worth it to follow Dan Brown's footsteps. And there are some particularly great gargoyles.

The knowledge

Allison House, 17 Mayfield Garden, Edinburgh, EH9 2AX (0131 667 8049 www. allisonhousehotel. com, or 0800 056 1970, www. scotlandhotels. com). Double rooms B&B 50 to 100, depending on time of year.

Copyright 2005 SMG Sunday Newspapers Ltd.
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