Contrary to expectations, the capital does have its best kept secrets. It's difficult to believe in a city where every street and every cobblestone has its own roaring legend to tell and where the sheer weight of expectation amplifies every whisper, but amongst the dark, forbidden corners around William Street and Shandwick Place there's still much undiscovered treasure. Although it's the Old Town and the New Town that attract the lion's share of visitors, it's the perplexing network of Georgian terraces around Drumshuegh Gardens that attract the knowing few. Here you'll find the West End Village - an eccentric composition, chiefly made up of designer gift and card stores like, 'Paper Tiger', cosy gourmet retreats like 'L'Escargot Blanc' near Queensferry (food with a great French/Scottish twist) and quirky 'barrel-vaulted' cafes like 'Hendersons' which specialise in modern vegetarian food and are rich West End atmosphere

Both the West Coates and Bruntsfield areas have the advantage of being close to the enchanting Old Town and the lively, eccentric Theatre district. If you plan to attend major events in the city like the Fringe Festival and Edinburgh Tattoo, then these are the bases of choice. There are dozens of bed & breakfast hotels in this neck of the woods: the five-star Elmview is worthy of mention as is the five-star Rutland - a dazzling boutique establishment and one of the most stylish hotels in the West End. You'll find both these prosperous 'villages' characterized by neat concentric rows of Georgian and Victorian Terraces. The nearby Meadows Park makes for pleasant Summer experience, with both tennis courts, croquet club and an adventure playground available to visitors. Bruntsfield Links also offers pitch & putt. For those who hope to escape the noisy heaving masses around Princes Street and the New Town, then lodging in at some of the the hotels in the West End of Edinburgh is a bit of a no-brainer.