Travel: Edinburgh

Jan 16 2010 by Huddersfield Daily Examiner

As the hotel is built on a corner, many of its rooms have an unusual shape which adds to its unique personality and affords a range of impressive views from its large bay windows.

Like many of Edinburgh’s new up-and- coming hotels, The Rutland has a definite feel of glamour about it from the extra large dressing room mirror to the backlit screen behind the extra large bed.

The theme of glamour extends throughout the hotel with its black and red decorated restaurant offering opulent surroundings, both modern and contemporary in design, complemented by a menu enhanced by locally-sourced food.

After complimenting the chef on an excellent meal, we made our way down to the hotel’s cocktail lounge, aptly called The One Below.

Situated around the perimeter are 12 vaulted booths, each individually designed and providing the perfect venue for private parties.

It gets even better when you realise that some also come equipped with their own iPod dock, allowing revellers to play their own music to help get the party started.

The bar itself is miles ahead of most I have propped up down the years, with clever new technology that creates lighting effects when drinks are put down on it.

A fantastic drinks menu ensured a perfect end to a fantastic day out with the funky music persuading us to sample just one more cocktail.

l Edinburgh Castle is just one of the city’s many historic sites whose often turbulent and gory history is played out in the streets and underground vaults and dungeons of the Old Town.

l Families who visit are always looking for things to do in Edinburgh and are never short of options. Visits to Edinburgh Zoo are always popular as are the many children’s shows and children’s science activities organised there throughout the year.

l Edinburgh has a reputation for offering the best variety of nightlife. There are clubs for every musical taste and the extended opening hours of the pubs and bars, themselves often offering dance floors and club environment means a seamless transition between cafe, bar and club life.

l For an excellent way to discover Edinburgh take a tour on an open-top bus or with a walking guide. The buses offer a hop-on hop-off service for flexibility and you can rejoin the tour at any time.

l Visit the Scottish Parliament Building, Holyrood, within the Unesco World Heritage Site.