"Overall Verdict
This apartment hotel is excellent at what it does and comfortably exceeded my expectations. My experience of hotels in Edinburgh has been mixed, often skewing towards style over practicality, with comfort sacrificed as a result. This is not The Balmoral, and it does not try to be. At roughly half the price per night, it offers something more useful: well-designed, high-quality apartment living. For that reason, I have given it five stars within its category.
The Apartment
I stayed in a third-floor loft suite arranged over two levels. Upstairs, a bedroom and bathroom; downstairs, a generous living space with sofas, dining table, desk, kitchen and an additional toilet and shower room.
The space was airy, calm and extremely comfortable. The skylights do overlook rooftops, but they also frame the sky; lying in bed in the evening and looking up was a genuine pleasure. From the lower level, there were excellent views across the city.
The suite also featured modern artwork, with a thoughtful mix of photographs and paintings curated across both levels. It added character without tipping into over-design.
Kitchen and Practical Design
This is where the hotel distinguishes itself. The kitchen is finished to a genuinely high standard and, more importantly, properly thought through:
• good quality cutlery, plates and glassware
• sharp knives, scissors and proper cookware
• Salt and pepper mill.
• Dishwashing soap, with dishcloths
• Oven gloves and kitchen towel
• Paper towels
• coffee machine, kettle and toaster
• dishwasher with tablets provided
• washing machine
• a good hob, oven and an effective extraction fan
That last point matters. I was able to cook properly, including smoky food, without triggering alarms or filling the apartment with fumes.
The fridge was sensibly stocked with milk and water and otherwise left empty. I shopped and cooked with ease. This level of practical detail is rare, and it shows care rather than just design.
Service
The staff were consistently warm, capable and helpful. Almost every interaction felt natural rather than rehearsed, which makes a difference.
Location
The location on the Royal Mile is excellent, yet the hotel feels tucked away and discreet rather than exposed to the crowds. It has the atmosphere of a small, well-run five-star property.
Layout Considerations
The apartments are spread across several buildings; mine was in the main one. The loft layout involves stairs, which may not suit everyone. I would not usually choose this, but I trusted the recommendation and it was worth it, even with the extra climbing.
Restaurant and Breakfast
The restaurant is the one area of inconsistency.
My first breakfast (midweek, around 8:30) was excellent: Eggs Benedict, tea, fruit and yoghurt, all beautifully done. It set up the day perfectly.
The following morning (Friday) was quite different. The restaurant was busy, and I was seated in the mezzanine. I would advise waiting for a table in the main downstairs area.
The service upstairs was polite but disorganised. There were two people up there, including me; a group of about four joined later. The mezzanine was nearly empty, and my experience suggests it was somewhat forgotten. My order took nearly half an hour. When it arrived, it had clearly been sitting for some time and was stone cold. There was an acknowledgement and an apology, and genuine kindness and courtesy. The issue was not attitude, which was great, but coordination and efficiency.
It is a small thing, but exactly the kind of detail that can undermine an otherwise excellent stay.
Allergy and Bedding
As always, Marriott accommodated my request for a feather-free room, which I appreciate due to allergies and asthma.
The bedding was clean and well presented, with a proper mattress cover. There was, however, a faint, slightly unpleasant smell emanating from the bedding, likely from storage or laundering rather than cleanliness. It dissipated after airing, but was noticeable on arrival.
The upholstered headboard, while attractive, is less practical from a hygiene perspective. A wipeable surface would be preferable.
Bathrooms
The bathrooms were well equipped with quality toiletries (Arran, a luxury Scottish brand). The shower pressure was just about adequate, possibly because we were on the upper level.
The rainfall shower was not especially intuitive to use. I defaulted to the handheld, which was adequate but unremarkable in terms of water pressure. Slightly disappointing.
Storage and Layout Details
Storage in the loft bedroom is somewhat limited. There is a wardrobe (and one on the lower level too), but for folded clothes, only surfaces and ledges are available. A little more provision here would improve longer stays.
The bed is high, and there is no chair in the loft area, which would have been useful. Space constraints likely explain this, but it is worth noting and considering a safe workaround.
Conclusion
What this hotel does well far outweighs what it needs to improve. The apartment, location and overall standard of service are all strong. The kitchen alone sets it apart.
The issues are relatively minor and fixable: breakfast logistics, small design refinements and a few practical details.
It delivers genuine, practical luxury—thought through, well executed, and all the more impressive for not trying too hard.
AB"
