Edinburgh is magical in every season, but in winter, the promise of frosty Georgian architecture, bitterly cold garden walks, and plenty of cosy corners to hole up in make it one of the ultimate February escapes. It's a wonderful pocket of peace where you're all but guaranteed a table at some of Edinburgh's best restaurants, uninterrupted views of the Castle and crowd-free hikes up Arthur's Seat, and tranquil evenings playing board games and sinking pints at one of the capital's cosiest pubs. The Gleneagles Townhouse is more akin to a member's club than a hotel, wonderfully majestic yet simultaneously tranquil – the prime place to hide away after a day spent pounding Edinburgh's cobbled lanes.