InterContinental Edinburgh The George, Edinburgh

It's a shopper's paradise in this part of the city and you'll find high-end shops like Harvey Nichols and Mulberry nearby. There are also plenty of bars and upper-end chain restaurants, like Dishoom, Hawksmoor and The Ivy.

The hotel is in the heart of New Town on George Street, which runs from Charlotte Square to St Andrew Square.

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 less than a 10-minute walk to the hotel. Book trains to Edinburgh.

Formerly five 'A' listed townhouses, it's a smart hotel and there's still a glimpse of its Georgian character, despite the modern wing at the back.

There are plenty of facilities, including a decent gym. The concierge is terrific, with 24-hour room service available, in addition to amenities like laundry and dry cleaning.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Gym
• Pet-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are smart, with soft décor in shades of mist, smoke, taupe and whisky. Tiled bathrooms feature rainfall showers.

Room types: Cosy, Classic, Premium, Junior Suite, Suite

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

Burr & Co serves good coffee, impressive cakes and sandwiches. We loved the beetroot and rosemary gin fizz (at least one of your five-a-day?) as well as the bacon, avocado, chilli and lime bagel for breakfast.

Le Petit Beefbar: bar and restaurant, serving steaks, sharing plates and street food. Open daily 12:30-10pm (restaurant, 5:30-9pm).

Burr & Co.: lively coffeeshop, food-to-go. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm.