With the credit crunch biting, Harlequins Rugby League fans heading to Edinburgh for the Murrayfield Magic weekend might be tempted to do it on a strict budget.

But do you really fancy travelling for hours on an over-crowded coach, bunking at some dodgy backpackers along with a heavy-snoring Yorkshire yokel, and taking the overnight coach back to London to turn up bleary-eyed at work on Monday morning?

You only live once and Super League’s Magic weekend comes along but once a year, so why not visit Scotland’s capital in style? If a couple of days of luxury appeal, Jo Rooney's 48 hours in Edinburgh as a guest of Visit Scotland during the Six Nations tournament may give you some ideas…

Friday morning: Arrive at Edinburgh airport and take Airlink bus to the city centre, then make the short walk from Waverley Bridge to the Hotel du Vin in Bristo Place. One of 14 locations in this luxury boutique chain, Edinburgh’s version is housed in a former lunatic asylum that dates back to the 1600s, which was more recently a hospital blood bank. No jokes about being bloody crazy to want to stay there, please. The hotel is a perfect marriage between the historic listed building and sleek contemporary lines of the interior, with those extra little touches that enhance your stay – luxuriously appointed rooms, a cosy whisky snug that our host likened to “Scotland in a room”, Laroche wine tasting experience and a stylish bistro complete with chef’s table and sommeliers on hand to recommend the perfect vintage for every dish.

Friday afternoon: After a hearty lunch of haggis and neeps in the bistro, it’s off to Murrayfield for a tour of the stadium, including hospitality box and the changing room used exclusively by the Scotland national rugby team. There is plenty of evidence of the following day’s Six Nations clash with Ireland – official team jerseys laid out, name tags in place and even some tactical notes from the coach (‘target O’Gara’ - not very original, Frank).

Friday evening: The cobbled streets of Edinburgh’s old town and cavernous bowels of South Bridge are the ideal setting for the Auld Reekie Ghost Tour, which has little impact on a sceptic such as me but nonetheless offers an interesting history of the city. Tales of torture and witches are followed by dinner at Hawke & Hunter, accompanied by entertainment from traditional Scottish story teller David Campbell. The late-night bar is tempting but, full of beetroot soup, roasted pork belly and chocolate mousse, I’m definitely ready for bed.

Saturday morning: Well rested after good night’s sleep in the oh-so-comfortable bed, it’s time to hit the shops along the Royal Mile and Princes Street, before an indulgent lunch at Harvey Nichols’ Forth (sic) Floor Restaurant, which affords stunning views across the city to Edinburgh Castle.

Saturday afternoon: Stuffed full of delicious food once more, the 15-minute walk to the Scotch Whisky Experience in the shadows of the castle is more of a strain than it probably should be, although it is almost entirely uphill. Presented with four regional varieties of single malt, I do my best to choke back bad memories of cheap scotch as a 17-year-old and manage to almost enjoy the tasting session. Almost. Thankfully, it’s time to return to Murrayfield for Scotland v Ireland and, with the sun setting on Edinburgh beyond the East Stand to provide a spectacular backdrop, Ireland respond to a healthy green-clad contingent in the crowd to keep alive hopes of the Grand Slam they would go on to secure in Cardiff a week later.

Saturday evening: With the streets around Murrayfield gridlocked, the fastest way back into town is by foot, which builds up a hearty appetite for dinner at The Affair. This is not helped by a lengthy wait for food but my steak is juicy and tender enough for me to forgive and forget and, besides, the red wine is flowing freely. It is after 11pm by the time we leave the restaurant, which seems about the right time to head to Bacaro nightclub to cut some moves.

Sunday morning: After not very many hours’ sleep, my head feels very heavy as I trudge back to Waverley Bridge for my return Airlink ride to the airport. I glance at my watch and calculate that it is about five hours until I can be at home in my own bed. Oh well, at least I’m not travelling by coach!

For more information on Edinburgh’s May Festival of Rugby visit visitscotland.com/perfectrugby