Fraser Suites Edinburgh

Housed in a 130-year-old stone building, the Fraser Suites is modern, and elegantly designed. The lobby is bright and, with white leather and wood chairs by the large street-facing windows, offers quiet comfort. The reception desk is a simple wood counter with a white-leather face, with wide black lampshades hanging overhead. Large black buffet cabinets line one wall, with books to borrow. There's a lounge area below, where guests can relax in the black and white button chairs, or work on the few small tables.

Sleek wood and a white and black color scheme gives the Fraser Suites a comfortable but hushed vibe. Head to the hotel's restaurant, the Broadstreet Bistro & Bar, and things feel a little looser. With specials written on chalkboards, and plum and teal-blue walls, the Broadstreet is charming and welcoming. At both tables and couches, it's a great place to grab a Scottish-inspired meal, a coffee, or a colorful cocktail. 

The Fraser Suites is in Edinburgh's historic Old Town. Right off Royal Mile (the main thoroughfare of Old Town), the hotel is a six-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street, the main shopping avenue. Other attractions, such as the Holyrood Palace, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of Scotland, and Arthur's Seat are also within walking distance. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars in this lively part of town. The Edinburgh Waverley train station is within a five-minute walk. 

The 75 rooms at the Fraser are individually designed. Some rooms, particularly the Classic Deluxe Rooms and the Junior Suites, may feel a bit cramped, but one-bedroom suites are also available. The style of the rooms varies too, but all have a contemporary, elegant decor. Many rooms are decorated in a style similar to the lobby's, with gray tones and simple, bright lighting with dark shades. Alternatively, rooms such as the Quaich or the Observatory Suites are vibrant, with red flared bedding and headboards, and cherrywood furniture. While size and layout vary, all rooms, including Classic Deluxe Rooms, come with kitchenettes, which include microwaves, kitchen sinks, coffeemakers, and mini-fridges (larger suites have two-burner stoves). Rooms also have iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms at the Fraser are large and lovely, gray tiled with wood inlays, with large showers or shower/tub combos. Bathrooms come stocked with L' Occitane toiletries. 

The Broadstreet Bar & Bistro serves three meals a day and is a low-key spot to grab coffee or drinks as well. The hotel's fitness center isn't large, but has a variety of cardio machines, weight machines, and exercises balls -- the room is nice and bright, and well stocked with towels. The Fraser also provides free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and has one small meeting room, which can accommodate up to 30 people, depending on setup.