Good idea to book hotel last minute in Edinburgh, UK during the end of May?
Apr 21, 2016, 3:06 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 55
Good idea to book hotel last minute in Edinburgh, UK during the end of May?
Hi all, I'm taking a trip to Edinburgh, UK on the last weekend of May. My hotel is already booked (non-refundable rate). However, there's a slight change in my itinerary. I reconnected with a friend from my younger days, and it turns out that he lives an hour from Edinburgh. If I had Nostradamus' vision, I would have booked a multi-room apartment instead of a hotel room.
Anyway, I'm willing to pay part of his hotel stay, but the prices for that weekend have increased significantly since I booked. Aside from a marathon and the start of a children's festival, I am not seeing any other big events in Edinburgh.
Should I go ahead a take advantage of the lower, non-refundable rates now? Or do you think it's better to wait until check-in to see if the hotel offers last minute rates? If no last minute rates, i would likely end up paying the full price.
I'm not familiar with Edinburgh, so I don't know what my chances are of getting a hotel with last minute rates.
Anyway, I'm willing to pay part of his hotel stay, but the prices for that weekend have increased significantly since I booked. Aside from a marathon and the start of a children's festival, I am not seeing any other big events in Edinburgh.
Should I go ahead a take advantage of the lower, non-refundable rates now? Or do you think it's better to wait until check-in to see if the hotel offers last minute rates? If no last minute rates, i would likely end up paying the full price.
I'm not familiar with Edinburgh, so I don't know what my chances are of getting a hotel with last minute rates.
Apr 21, 2016, 4:23 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
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A word to the wise. Most people in Edinburgh regard themselves as being in Scotland, so they would refer to it as Edninburgh, Scotland if, indeed, the suffix is even necessary, which it really isn't.
Apr 22, 2016, 1:44 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Malaga, Spain
Posts: 1,077
This report, even although it's from 2015 might help you make up your mind. Central Scotland, where Edinburgh lies, is a small area well connected so staying outside the city (or, whisper it) Glasgow would not be a problem
Apr 22, 2016, 1:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,962
Get yourself a ticket to watch Glasgow Warriors retain their title! 😉
The marathon is actually quite a big deal, too, btw.
Apr 22, 2016, 2:03 pm
#7
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The last weekend in May (or more accurately the last Monday in May) is also a public holiday in the UK. If I'm not mistaken they didn't used to observe this in Glasgow or something odd, but http://www.gov.scot/Topics/People/bank-holidays shows it.
Apr 24, 2016, 3:06 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 55
The Pro12 final is at Murrayfield Stadium that Saturday. You can forget cheap rooms that weekend, I'm afraid. And if one of the Irish teams with big support (Ulster or Leinster) reach the final (you'll know 1 week in advance), you can probably forget getting another room in Edinburgh full-stop.
Get yourself a ticket to watch Glasgow Warriors retain their title! 😉
The marathon is actually quite a big deal, too, btw.
Get yourself a ticket to watch Glasgow Warriors retain their title! 😉
The marathon is actually quite a big deal, too, btw.
Apr 26, 2016, 7:15 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,503
OP, I would advise you book a non-refundable rate as soon as possible.
It's peak holiday season at that time. It's a public holiday in the UK which will swell visitor numbers to Edinburgh - a very touristy city in any event. Add to that the big sporting events mentioned and you are very unlikely to get a better rate at the last minute.
With due respect, would ignore the advice on booking a place in Glasgow. I love Glasgow (and as a city I prefer visiting it to Edinburgh, but that's beside the point). If your friend lives an hour from Edinburgh then he/she may as well stay at home and travel in to see you.
PS Edinburgh is most definitely in the UK, so you're absolutely correct to state that
It's peak holiday season at that time. It's a public holiday in the UK which will swell visitor numbers to Edinburgh - a very touristy city in any event. Add to that the big sporting events mentioned and you are very unlikely to get a better rate at the last minute.
With due respect, would ignore the advice on booking a place in Glasgow. I love Glasgow (and as a city I prefer visiting it to Edinburgh, but that's beside the point). If your friend lives an hour from Edinburgh then he/she may as well stay at home and travel in to see you.
PS Edinburgh is most definitely in the UK, so you're absolutely correct to state that
Apr 27, 2016, 2:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: NCL
Programs: FB Plat; BAEC Gold
Posts: 930
Going off the last vote the majority also consider themselves part of the UK, so there should be no issue with the title.
May 1, 2016, 4:48 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: United 100K, Etihad Gold, Marriot Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 578
OP, I would advise you book a non-refundable rate as soon as possible.
It's peak holiday season at that time. It's a public holiday in the UK which will swell visitor numbers to Edinburgh - a very touristy city in any event. Add to that the big sporting events mentioned and you are very unlikely to get a better rate at the last minute.
With due respect, would ignore the advice on booking a place in Glasgow. I love Glasgow (and as a city I prefer visiting it to Edinburgh, but that's beside the point). If your friend lives an hour from Edinburgh then he/she may as well stay at home and travel in to see you.
PS Edinburgh is most definitely in the UK, so you're absolutely correct to state that
It's peak holiday season at that time. It's a public holiday in the UK which will swell visitor numbers to Edinburgh - a very touristy city in any event. Add to that the big sporting events mentioned and you are very unlikely to get a better rate at the last minute.
With due respect, would ignore the advice on booking a place in Glasgow. I love Glasgow (and as a city I prefer visiting it to Edinburgh, but that's beside the point). If your friend lives an hour from Edinburgh then he/she may as well stay at home and travel in to see you.
PS Edinburgh is most definitely in the UK, so you're absolutely correct to state that
May 2, 2016, 3:55 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 55
OP, I would advise you book a non-refundable rate as soon as possible.
It's peak holiday season at that time. It's a public holiday in the UK which will swell visitor numbers to Edinburgh - a very touristy city in any event. Add to that the big sporting events mentioned and you are very unlikely to get a better rate at the last minute.
With due respect, would ignore the advice on booking a place in Glasgow. I love Glasgow (and as a city I prefer visiting it to Edinburgh, but that's beside the point). If your friend lives an hour from Edinburgh then he/she may as well stay at home and travel in to see you.
PS Edinburgh is most definitely in the UK, so you're absolutely correct to state that
It's peak holiday season at that time. It's a public holiday in the UK which will swell visitor numbers to Edinburgh - a very touristy city in any event. Add to that the big sporting events mentioned and you are very unlikely to get a better rate at the last minute.
With due respect, would ignore the advice on booking a place in Glasgow. I love Glasgow (and as a city I prefer visiting it to Edinburgh, but that's beside the point). If your friend lives an hour from Edinburgh then he/she may as well stay at home and travel in to see you.
PS Edinburgh is most definitely in the UK, so you're absolutely correct to state that
May 2, 2016, 3:57 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 55
Yes, I have. The only option is another room. I did look at an AirBNB apartment near the hotel. I found one within 5 minutes walking distance, but the owner did not respond to my inquiry.