Accommodations in Edinburgh run the gamut, from luxury hotels to backpacker hostels; bed and breakfasts, too. But the first bit of advice travel writers seem to offer is to book early. A major tourist destination -- especially during August's Edinburgh Festival and New Year's Hogmanay celebration -- Edinburgh's accommodations fill up quickly.

• Edinburgh is such a popular city, the first piece of advice about accommodation is this -- book in advance! This is particularly important around New Year (Hogmanay) and the Festival in August, when the city gets very crowded. The bulk of the hotels are in the New Town, but there are many other places to stay in the Old Town and on the outskirts of the city." -- Travel Channel
• If you're the type of traveler who thinks of hotels as just places to lay one's head at night, some of the better deals in town are found at the no-frills chains." -- Frommer's
• Rooms are harder to find in August and September, when the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival take place, so reserve at least three months in advance. Bed-and-breakfast accommodations may be harder to find in December, January, and February, when some proprietors close for a few weeks." -- Fodor's

Bed and Breakfasts

Travelers might want to stay in an Edinburgh bed and breakfast, which are usually reasonably priced and afford a more authentic Scottish experience (plus a full Scottish breakfast). Recent visitors praise 94DR, a modern one in southern Edinburgh, as well as Ramsay's B&B in New Town.

• There are Guest Houses and small hotels dotted around almost every part of the city, however there are high concentrations in 2 areas, namely around Newington Road and Minto Street on the South side, and on Pilrig Street and Newhaven Road in Leith. Both areas are within a brisk 15-20 minute walk of the city centre and both have excellent round-the-clock bus services." -- Wikitravel
• To save money and see how local residents live, stay in a B&B in one of the areas away from the city center, such as Pilrig to the north, Murrayfield to the west, or Sciennes to the south. Public buses can whisk you to the city center in 10 to 15 minutes." -- Fodor's

Hotels and Hostels 

For cheap accommodations, consider booking a chain hotel on the edge of town or on the outskirts. According to Travel Channel, "Leith is the perfect place for visitors who want shops and restaurants on their doorstep, but would rather not stay in Edinburgh itself." Old Town's Cowgate neighborhood has an assortment of hostels, nearby a collection of fun pubs and clubs. There are also quite a few hostels congregated around the Royal Mile.

• For those on a budget, there are cheap youth hostels available with prices from £10 and above. The private/independent hostels center around the Cowgate area, the lower Royal Mile and its side streets." -- Wikitravel

Luxury Hotels

Centrally located Princes Street is dotted with luxury accommodations, which include the regal Balmoral Hotel. But don't be fooled in thinking that just because Edinburgh is ancient that its luxury hotels are too: Some of the city's poshest places are also the most contemporary, like Concierge.com's picks, The Glasshouse and Le Monde. Check out George Street, and the accompanying Charlotte and St. Andrews squares, for a handful of four- and five-star accommodations.

• Weekend rates in the larger hotels are always much cheaper than midweek rates, so if you want to stay in a plush hotel, come on the weekend." -- Fodor's