The Atholl, The Howard Hotel - City of Edinburgh

A five-star Georgian retreat in the centre of Edinburgh, the Howard is a privately owned boutique townhouse overlooking wide cobbled streets close to the city centre. As one reviewer noted: 'This is not a hotel – it's a home from home!'

The Atholl restaurant is at the heart of things and it makes a cosseted, clubby setting for food in the contemporary Scottish mould. To begin, take your pick from – say – twice-baked Crofton goats' cheese soufflé with caramelised walnuts and pears or spiced smoked pork belly with tiger prawns and chermoula dressing. Fillet of Buccleuch beef is favourite main course (perhaps served with mustard and shallot sabayon and polenta fries), or you might opt for something piscine like fillet of cod with linguine and white clam cream. For afters, consider dark chocolate marquise with an orange jelly 'shot' or caramelised lemon tart with Mascarpone ice cream.