Hip Apartments in Edinburgh You’ll Want to Call Home
There are plenty of full-service apartments with hotel-style facilities in Edinburgh to suit all pockets and persuasions. Whether you’re looking to wander the Royal Mile, hike Arthur’s Seat or just sample a dram of Scotch whisky, there are lots of accommodation options to choose from that offer privacy and perks after a busy day exploring. Here are the most free-spirited stays in the Scottish capital, for those times when you just want to come home to your own place.
Mono Suites
Suite Hotel
Liberty is the latest buzz in aparthotels, and the sentiment behind this calm and quiet tower of four- and six-bedroom suites on lively South Bridge. With an unstaffed reception and access code keys, you can check yourself in, fuss-free, whenever you want. Smart design includes open-plan kitchens, local artwork and staggering window seat views – a must in Edinburgh.
Eden Locke
Boutique Hotel, Serviced Apartment, Hotel
Fully serviced and with plenty of bells and whistles, these apartments have a beach shack vibe and lots of zing on the tech-forward design front. There are smart TVs and Apple boxes, but also L-shaped powder puff sofas for lounging on and walk-in rainforest showers. The lobby is a cafe-cum-bar and functions as an extension of your apartment – coffee is brewed, pastries are snaffled and cocktails are ordered here before the working day is done.
The Pavilion at Lamb's House
Guesthouse
Narnia-like wardrobes, Victorian brass beds and timber-lined showers set the tone at this sequestered self-catering house, sleeping six, in the heart of trendsetting Leith. Its history dates back to the early 18th century and the private Italian renaissance garden is yours alone, but the real sell is the Irish-Icelandic welcome from hosts Nick and Kristin. Depending on the season, you might be surprised by wine, shortbread or an Easter egg.
Rock House
Apartment
The magnificent view of Calton Hill, with its 360-degree prospect of spires, steeples, sea and stadiums, is right out the front door of this historic merchant’s house turned private retreat. Beautifully restored, it has 18th-century eye candy galore: there’s a self-contained house for eight guests, a terrace apartment for four and a bijou photographer’s studio for two – all the previous playgrounds of pioneer artists and photographers David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson. Their legacy is evident in the museum-like curation of art and design throughout Rock House.
Destiny Scotland Distillers House
Apartment
When it comes to Edinburgh’s heritage buildings, it’s all about the numbers. There are 4,500 listed across the city and this one, renovated with 12 ultra-chic apartments, blends in with the best of them. William Street – the highlight of West End community life – is two blocks away, and the trams running from Haymarket can glide you to the airport or fashionable Leith in style. As for perks, enjoy street parking and free stays for under-12s.
Atholl Apartments
Apartment
Fully serviced apartments are a rarity in the village-like West End – which is why this one, tucked away on a quiet residential street, is such a find. There’s a choice of three apartments inside the Georgian mews house and all come with whizz-bang kitchens offset by a spectrum of grey and dove-white furniture. The offsite owners couldn’t be more helpful, too – just give them a call to arrange bike hire, groceries, freshly cut flowers or table reservations.
Mode Edinburgh
Apartment
This Queen Street behemoth, with 82 serviced studios and one-beds, overlooks the glorious New Town – unrivalled no matter the weather. Nice touches include 24/7 service, on-site fitness centre, coffee to grab and go when you’re running out of the door, help-yourself wine cuvenees, specially commissioned local art and a meeting suite for any urgent business needs.
Wilde Aparthotel
Chain Hotel, Apartment
This good-looking Grassmarket aparthotel goes out of its way to help your crew make the most of their stay. Room highlights include Smeg fridges, smart TVs and Nespresso machines, while there’s bespoke art and photography throughout. Nothing beats the sociable ground-level reception area – it’s crammed with counter seating, plush sofas and a centrepiece bench set between two sculpture-like balloons.
Edinburgh Castle Apartments
Apartment
For partygoers drawn to Edinburgh’s Rose Street, this series of town house apartments is virtually on top of nightlife central. That might explain the heavy-draw curtains in the studios, apartments and penthouse. Most rooms are street-facing, but there are a couple of garden suites with terraces for al fresco drinks after hours.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.