My husband and I both avoid B&Bs in the States like the plague. We just find them too annoying with the owners hovering over you, mandatory house breakfasts at the communal table, nights around the fire with all the other guests, etc. Call us antisocial, but that's just our way.

In this case, our friends did the booking for our trip and got us rooms at Ramsay's and, despite our initial concerns about it being a freaky B&B, we were happily surprised. These folks REALLY know how to do a B&B to appeal to even the B&B fearful.

Sharon welcomed us cheerfully when we rolled in late on New Year's Eve eve and gave us a quick but helpful lay of the land: breakfast room (latest seating at 9, individual tables for 2-4 rather than one giant communal table), rooms, lights, bathrooms, etc. Since we were in town for New Year's Eve, she gave us some super key advice to book reservations for New Year's Eve dinner and some suggestions on where to go. We booked where she suggested (the Italian place around the corner) and were not disappointed.

Our rooms were two at the base of the stairs on the bottom floor facing the garden. One king and one double - both beautiful and perfect with well finished bathrooms and lots of necessary amenities. No hokey B&B decor either - these are done nicely with a tasteful color palette and comfortable features like iPod alarm clock, full length mirrors, stocked toiletries and responsive heating. No doilies, lace or babydolls on the bed - very contemporary and clean.

Breakfast was, as promised, very good. You can see from the photos that these folks know how to cook up a fine breakfast (eggs how you like them, toast, bacon, sausage, haggis, blood pudding, etc) and fruit and cereal are also available whenever you like.

The location of the B&B was also great - walking distance to the Royal Mile and all of the castles, churches and brooding scenery you could want, plus it's in a cute neighborhood with lots of good pubs and little restaurants.

As far as restaurants go, we highly recommend the Westroom (http://www.thewestroom.co.uk/) for dinner and drinks (the brie appetizer was incredible, same with the "bait", fish and chips, beef pie and soups), though you may want to cab it if you've been out walking all day. Also good was the Italian joint around the corner, Locanda De Gusti (http://www.locandadegusti.com/).

We had tickets to Hogmanay (the big New Year's bash that runs for three days over NY's) and walked to and from the street party and concerts without any issue. Definitely recommend everyone bring a raincoat, scarf and gloves at the bare minimum since we were told that this was the mildest NYE they'd had in recent memory (12/31/11) and it was still a bit "frostly" as Sharon would say at around 35 at night and drizzly/rainy.

At the end of the day, we had such a great time in Edinburgh that we'll be going back for NYE 2012 and will FOR SURE stay with Sharon and Norrie at Ramsay's.

And, just some random notes since I'd hate to leave them out:
*The B&B business runs in their family as Sharon's sister in law also runs a B&B across town and her husband, Norrie, has a few apartment rentals, too. Just saying, these folks have this down to a lovely science.
*On NYE we returned before dinner to find a bottle of champagne and boxes of chocolates in our room - nice touch.
*Sharon, Norrie, Sharon's brother, his wife and Sharon's mom hosted pre-Hogmanay drinks for the guests and it was really fun and a nice touch. Sharon and Norrie hosted karaoke at a spot a few doors down, which we didn't get a chance to see, but it sounded fun. Norrie's also a DJ, and was spinning from what we understand.

So glad we found Sharon and Norrie's lovely welcoming B&B a warm welcome from both lovely room with view to the garden Sharon took time to go over things in the room and pointed out sights on a map, we know Edinburgh quite well but was good to get an insiders look at the recommendations for local bars and restaurants which are 5 minutes from Ramseys 10 minute walk to centre of city for shops museums and galleries etc. Breakfast was great my wife did not want a full scottish so Sharon offered a very fresh fruit salad Iam vegetarian and got everything I could have wanted for a cooked breakfast. Sharon and Norrie also had time for a chat we felt as if we were in a friends home and not paying guests. Planning our next visit already.

We picked Ramsay's on the basis of the tripadvisor reviews - I think it was the highest rating in the price bracket we were looking at. The great reviews are entirely well-deserved and our expectations were met on every level.

Ramsay's is a really nicely presented place; the decor is contemporary and everything was scrupulously clean. It has obviously been well-renovated recently and our room was well-equipped, contemporary and stylish. We were in Room 3 which is a good-sized double room with ensuite looking out onto the rear garden.

The location is also really good - about 10 minutes walk out of the New Town area. Broughton St has some really nice independent shops, cafes and bars. We can definitely recommend Urban Angel on Forth St.

The welcome from Sharon and Norrie was great - good communication by email beforehand, and no problem at all about dropping off bags, as we arrived in Edinburgh about 9.30am, well before normal check in time. Sharon took time to talk us through a map and make lots of recommendations about places to eat and visit, and I think would have given us a complimentary breakfast when we arrived if we hadn't already decided to stop in somewhere on the way back into the city centre. They were friendly and helpful but not overbearing throughout our stay. The cooked breakfast was delicious and when I fancied something lighter the second morning before flying home Sharon made a fresh fruit salad as well as providing all the usual toast, cereal, yoghurt and muffins.

All in all I really can't fault the place, I thoroughly recommend it and would happily stay again.

My wife and I stayed two nights at Ramsays B and B in Edinburgh. The room was comfortable and very clean. The breakfast is excellent and Sharon and Norrie are very helpful and friendly. The B & B is close to the main tourist attractions. This is a great place to stay when visiting Edinburgh.