Located in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town, this 1876 mid-Victorian apartment boasts spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Unwind on a comfortable corner sofa, enjoy a meal with an unbeatable view from the dining area or immerse yourself in local history books within its small library.
Reviews
8.28.2 out of 10
Very good
Entire apartment
2 bedrooms1 bathroom116 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Free WiFi
Fireplace
Add dates for prices
About this property
Two-bedroom apartment, steeped in history and located in the heart of the Old Town. Sleeps 4.
This fabulous 1876 mid-Victorian, two-bedroom period apartment boasts stunning views and is ideally situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, just metres from Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. With its historic charm it offers a truly unique opportunity to experience the character and atmosphere of one of the city’s most iconic locations.
As you enter the apartment you will find the hallway opening into the open plan lounge/dining and kitchen area. You can sink into the comfortable corner sofa and catch up on events on the 36” plasma screen TV. If you have brought your laptop you will be able to use the free and unlimited WiFi broadband to surf the web. There is also a flame effect stove in the lounge for a bit of character to compliment the golden cornice work and ornamental iron rams head fireplace, while the original internal wooden shutters still stand guard over the old sash and case windows.
The dining area in the lounge sits in front of the window and is one of the most unique dining views in Edinburgh. There are only a handful of properties that can say they can look into the front door of Edinburgh castle and you can enjoy your self-catering with a view that can’t be beat. In addition to the amazing castle view the three double aspect windows also provide spectacular views over the Grassmarket, Greyfriars and the Pentland hills beyond. You will be able to prepare your food in a fully equipped kitchen, which has oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle and there is also a freezer and washing machine in the hallway.
Tucked away off the lounge is a small library, which is stocked with a selection of local historical and topical books. There is a small writing area as well so with the character and views in the apartment you may well be inspired to write something in the city that has already inspired writers such as JK Rowling, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Ian Rankin amongst others.
A good nights rest is assured in both bedrooms, with the same breath taking views directly overlooking the castle and esplanade, thanks to the comfortable orthopaedic mattresses. Each bedroom has a built in wardrobe providing ample space for even the most demanding fashionista. You will also find an ironing board, iron and hairdryer in each room so you don’t have to wait for others to get ready. The main bedroom is set up as a standard double and the other bedroom can either be set up as a king size or a twin as required. Our extra wide luxury shower room is finished in travertine tiling and has a 10kw shower.
Throughout the apartment you will find high quality finishes with solid oak flooring and stainless steel appliances.
In summary this apartment has been designed for guests who want to be able to get here easily and really experience the old town of Edinburgh as it was 150 years ago, If you want your accommodation to be as much a reminder of your holiday as everything you do when you are in Edinburgh then this is the place for you. Minimalism is banished and instead we have created a character apartment with lots of period features but all the modern comforts you will need for your stay.
Please note: this property is situated on the third floor of a traditional mid-Victorian property and is accessible by stairs only (around 80). No lift is available and therefore unsuitable for guests with mobility issues.
Please note that from July to September, the temporary seating area for the world-renowned Edinburgh Tattoo is installed and dismantled within 50 meters of the property. As a result, there may be some temporary obstruction of the view during this period, as reflected in the bedroom photos provided.
Please note that we do not provide hypoallergenic bedding.
This property operates a key safe, so you can let yourself into the property any time after 4pm. The key safe code will be issued before your arrival.
Entry to the apartment is from 16:00 onwards. If you are arriving earlier than 16:00 on your day of arrival, it is always worth contacting the property manager as they will always endeavour to give you access as soon as possible.
The latest departure time is 11:00, however, a guaranteed later departure (up to 20:00) can be arranged for a fee of 50% of the daily rate for that day but please note this is subject to no existing booking arriving that day already.
All properties are strictly non-smoking, and do not accept hen/stag/party groups. At least one guest must be over 25 years old.
Please note Wi-Fi at this property is complimentary.
Please arrange your arrival with the property manager at least 24 hours before arrival.
Check in is from 4pm, and check out is before 11am.
*Please note that as of start November 2024 this apartment has a new cleaning company as well as pre and post-cleaning inspections, along with all new bedding and linens.*
Sleeping Arrangements
1x double bedroom, 1x king OR twin bedroom
Exterior
This apartment is on the third floor of a traditional Edinburgh tenement
Getting there
Waverley train station is within walking distance (about 10 mins) and the airport shuttle bus stops outside Waverley station so you can get here from the airport easily. If you are arriving by car you can unload your luggage right outside the apartment on the single yellow lines, however, on-street parking is not available. The NCP Castle Terrace Car Park is a 30 second drive from the property. Please note that during August there may be restrictions in place and therefore may result in road closures.
Accessibility
This property is situated on the third floor of a traditional mid-Victorian property and is accessible by stairs only (around 80). No lift is available. Unsuitable for guests with mobility issues.
Registration and Compliance
Registration or Licence Ref: EH69502-P EPC: E
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the apartment: Free WiFi
Kitchen
Dishwasher
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Living spaces
Fireplace
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
TV with cable/satellite channels
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
No smoking allowed.
No pets allowed.
No stag/hen dos, parties or events allowed.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the neighborhood
Old Town Edinburgh, a neighborhood in Edinburgh, is home to this apartment. Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile are notable landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Grassmarket and George Street. Check out an event or a game at Murrayfield Stadium, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Visit our Edinburgh travel guide
Is Two-bedroom apartment, steeped in history and located in the heart of the Old Town. Sleeps 4. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Two-bedroom apartment, steeped in history and located in the heart of the Old Town. Sleeps 4.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Two-bedroom apartment, steeped in history and located in the heart of the Old Town. Sleeps 4.?
Check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Two-bedroom apartment, steeped in history and located in the heart of the Old Town. Sleeps 4. located?
Located in Old Town Edinburgh, this apartment building is steps from Castlehill and Grassmarket. Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile are also within 10 minutes. Princes Street Tram Stop is 8 minutes by foot and St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 12 minutes.
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Two-bedroom apartment, steeped in history and located in the heart of the Old Town. Sleeps 4. Reviews
Reviews
Very Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The view from this flat is spectacular! The castle is so close you can look down the gates! We enjoyed our stay in this cute historic flat in such a beautiful historic city.
The apartment is in a spectacular location for most tourists. Great kitchen and living room etc, but do be warned - you’ll need to be fairly fit and healthy to manage the stairs.
Could have been a bit cleaner (floors) but overall we very much enjoyed ourselves.
This flat is charming. It is literally next door to the castle and walking distance to all the culture Edinburgh has to offer The kitchen is well kitted out for a weeks stay and living area comfortable. The landlords are very responsive and kind. The only downside is the beds - they have obviously been well used over the years so the flat would benefit from having new ones installed. Other than that we couldn't have been happier with our stay.
Location was awesome. There were a lot of stairs-over 60 inside and another flight externally! No lift. No park
Ing BUT so central. Single beds were tiny and the quilt cover just touched the sides - should be bigger. Water pressure was good. Amenities were all there. Just have good knees.
Very nice apartment with an unbeatable view. Comfortable beds, good heat for chilly nights. For some people it might be important that there are a lot of stairs. If you're in reasonably good shape it's not a problem but potential guests should be aware. The location is great too. The apartment was clean overall but when I got an old fan out of the closet it dripped dust bunnies. That wasn't a deal breaker -- the experience was very good.
We stayed here in late June and enjoyed the location for walking to all of the cultural sites in Edinburgh. You're right next to the Routal Mile, and, of course, the castle. The kitchen is well equipped, but we didn't use it much as we ate out often. The rental agency is very responsive and kind. The beds could use an update, but the rest of the furniture suited us just fine. It is a hike to the third floor, so be sure all in your party can manage it. It's also an uphill walk just to get to the building, so be aware of that, as well. Your reward for all the steps? An amazing view of the city and the Crags.
Overall, the location was good and the main room was nice and spacious. However, the furniture was very worn, especially the couch and dining table and chairs. Not comfortable, and needed a good cleaning. The beds were not great either. The shower room was good, but the separate toilet room was tiny. I’m not sure that a large person would fit. Communication with staff was very good.
Even though there are pictures in the listing, I didn't fully appreciate how close we were to Edinburgh Castle until we arrived. It was also right off the end of the Royal Mile, so super convenient. We had the misfortune of being there one night when there was a concert at the castle. It made for a very loud evening! The layout of the apartment is a bit quirky, but I think that added to its charm. It was pretty clean, but there were places that could probably used a good dusting. I appreciated that there were black out curtains in the bedrooms, considering there were so few hours of darkness. The stairs into the building and up to the apartment are not for the faint of heart! I loved the notebook in the apartment that told the history of the building. I found it very interesting. We definitely liked staying here.
An antique apartment with an amazing location, be aware of stairs
Thank you for letting us stay! We had a lovely time in this beautiful town. Hoping this review can be helpful to future travelers.
Pros: You won’t find a better location, the view of the castle is out all the windows (ours was obstructed a lil due to the Tattoo). Very antique and adorable. It was decently spacious with a large bathroom.
Cons: THE STAIRS! It’s is mentioned at the end of the description but this should be the first sentence. You have to go up 3 flights of steep and long steps to get in. We found dirty laundry and felt we needed to clean a little. The furniture was very old (chairs falling apart). There was no description to help with laundry and the tv didn’t work.
My parents are 65+ so probably would give this a 2-3 star review because of the stairs but the location and views are worth staying here in my opinion!
Nikki S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Julia B.
3 April 2024
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location but some things to be aware of
The location of this apartment cannot be faulted, opening the curtains to see the castle front door is wonderful.
Although it caused us no problem, the listing does not mention the £200 deposit that is required to be paid before arrival (refunded 7 days after departure) and payment continues via a third party agent rather than VRBO.
We were aware there were going to be plenty of steps to the apartment, however the poorly lit, internal stone spiral staircase that is uneven through years of use could prove challenging for some.
The apartment was lovely but the cleaning was not as thorough as it could have been particularly in the kitchen. The kitchen is also in need of some investment, doors and drawers were showing damage and there was only mixed sets of crockery and glassware available.
My husband and I stayed in the apartment for a little over a week. It is warm, tasteful, inviting, clean and comfortable. The location is in the middle of everything. It was so nice being able to actually open the windows. Even though there were only 2 of us, we liked having the extra bedroom for our luggage (although, there is also plenty of closet space). We had been traveling around Scotland a couple of weeks before arriving in Edinburgh and really appreciated having the washing machine. There isn't a dryer, but our clothes dried fairly quickly on the drying rack. Just a couple of things to note - the spiral stairs are long - it was no problem for us, but I could not have taken my parents there. If you rent a car, there is a parking lot nearby. But do not prepay! Just pay by the day. If you prepay, you do can not take your car in and out of the lot as you wish. You can only exit once and then have to pay by the day.
The host communicated well and the apartment was cozy and comfortable. My ultimate favorite part was the gorgeous, stunning view of the Edinburgh Castle!! It was worth every step to climb!
This was such a cute place, absolutely loved it! The location was great. We walked everywhere. The best part was the castle view and just going up the stairs right outside to go to it. It was great at night when closed to visitors, went to take pictures
Great location in the Old Town with an amazing view of Edinburgh Castle. Clean, with comfortable beds. Fairly well stocked kitchen although with a random collection of glassware, plates and not enough bowls or dinner knives. Decor generally good but let down by cracked floor tiles in the bathroom and some window frames in need of maintenance. Various light bulbs need replacing. It is on the third floor, accessed by 80 steps (which was clearly communicated).
Don’t be seduced by the description or the view. We left after one night of a five night stay. The 80 step spiral staircase was narrow and dark and damp. (See photos) The place is not as described, electrics were dodgy (sparks and smells), it is not spacious, the beds are not orthopaedic and there is no working fireplace. Asked for refund for four nights but was declined and lost 2000 in the exercise.
We had the opportunity to stay at this magnificent property over the last 3 nights. The location could not be better, steps from the Edinburgh Castle and located via stairways to nearby streets and attractions. The property was clean and quaint. You can sit at the kitchen table and look at the castle or lay in your bed and do the same. We really enjoyed staying here. Can’t wait to return!
Edinburgh is one of our favorite cities. It is also one of the most vertical cities I’ve visited. Lots of stairs, lots of hills but the payoff is stunning views down every street. So it is with this flat. Get ready to climb but also marvel at the spectacular views, not only of the Castle but also of the city and beyond to the soft green hills.
Set smack in the middle of the old city, this flat is also quiet and peaceful when you need a break.
The Castle Esplanade has the quirks of an historic old building but also all the intrigue of an historic old building.
The property is tidy and the staff are helpful. Note that the larger bed can be separated into two beds if it suits your needs better, just ask the staff for help before you visit.
Paul G.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Janet A.
22 February 2024
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Mrs
Dirty apartment, old tired broken furniture. Terrible lighting. Door handles fell off. Chipped and cracked plates and cups. Scalding hot water. No towel rail in bathroom. Bathroom smelled of sewage. Lights didn’t work. Curtains falling off the rails. The shower has absolutely no water pressure. Would definitely not recommend this apartment.
We were delighted with the location. We arrived at 11am after a long flight, but I was unable to negotiate an early check in. I was sent a list of storage facilities, but it would have been helpful to be told that the easiest and probably cheapest option was at the Castle Rock Hostel opposite. There was a burst sewer pipe on the ground floor when we arrived, making the steps wet and unpleasant; and a very nasty smell in the stairwell. I rang to advise the agent, but didn’t get a call back to check that the pipe had been fixed. The apartment itself is excellent and well appointed; but I was surprised that there was no welcome pack, especially as there is no shop nearby. We were given milk by the staff in the restaurant across the road ( Hanan, great place to eat). The water pressure in the shower is quite poor. But, overall, a good choice for an Edinburgh holiday.