Situated on Edinburgh’s famed Royal Mile smack bang in the heart of the city, the Adagio is a perfect base from which to explore this compact but bustling capital.
Within 15 minutes you could be immersing yourself in Impressionism at the National Art Gallery or seeing the Scottish Crown Jewels at Edinburgh Castle, visiting Holyrood House, the National Museum of Scotland, or even taking a City of the Dead ghost tour.
As part of the French hotel chain Accor, the Adagio is the newest addition to 100 aparthotels in city centre locations around Europe, the Middle East and Brazil.
The appeal of these is obvious, the luxury of being centrally located means that you can step out of the door, get right into the thick of it and pop back whenever you want for a quick meal or just to put your feet up between sightseeing!
The Adagio offers the best of both hotel and apartment living, it is like a home from home but with the advantages of onsite facilities such as a self service laundry and fully equipped gym, free wifi and a dry cleaning service.
For stays of 8 nights or more a weekly cleaning service is included and there is an optional service for shorter stays. With 146 apartments and studios over 4 floors, it also includes 8 apartments suitable for people with reduced mobility.
THE HOTEL
Cleverly designed to blend in with the surrounding old architecture, the facade of this large old building remains, but step inside and you enter an oasis of 21st century calm, the perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of this vibrant city.
The reception area is clean, spacious and welcoming and sets the tone for the rest of the public spaces. Someone had a lot of fun putting the decor together and it is a fab mix of understated calm and retro quirkiness.
A huge arched mirror set into a navy blue wall reflects an array of seating options from snug blue armchairs, funky stools, rush seated chairs, plush blue cushions adorning the central plant feature and red banquette seating over which is the most touchable artwork, a sort of 3D foliage sprouting out from the wall!
There is a 24 hour reception desk manned ( or should that be personned ? ) by friendly and helpful staff and a fledgling food and drinks mart with cold drinks and a selection of snacks and ready meals.
All of the public areas seem to be designed with texture in mind and as a compulsive toucher I could not restrain myself from feeling the unexplained yet comforting rock sculpture at the entrance of the dining room.
Breakfast is included in the room rate and comprises a hot and cold self service buffet. The room also has a random fuseball game at one end and at the other an inviting seating area with blue velvet sofas and chairs with a small library and board games like Trivial Pursuit.
THE APARTMENT
With pale wood flooring and decorated throughout in shades of taupe, cream and grey, grounded with dark wood furniture, this was a total home from home. Whoever furnished the apartments has got it spot on. Bright, modern and restful.
The hall was compact but still fitted in a double cupboard with rail and shelves containing the safe and hairdryer, a full length mirror and shelf, animal shaped coat hooks and another cupboard for the iron and ironing board!
To the left was the bathroom tiled in grey with a white suite and with the bonuses of a heated towel rail, a magnified mirror, a foldaway airer over the bath and luxury Keiji toiletries to pamper myself with.
Straight ahead was the bedroom and the first thing I noticed was an overhead light, gold star awarded for such a necessity so often overlooked!
With floor to ceiling windows dressed in thick beige blackout curtains, dark textured wallpaper and a double bed with crisp white linen it was a room to cocoon yourself in and take in a film on the wall mounted TV.
A triple wardrobe contained extra duvets and pillows and a little note informing me that the eco friendly bed linen comes into the hotel prepacked and no chemicals are used.
Sliding doors took me through to the lounge/diner which again had floor to ceiling windows with a view across to Calton Hill and the Nelson Monument.
A taupe sofa bed against a pale textured wall and a desk, table and chairs and TV unit in dark wood were livened up with pops of colour like the red topped stools and the orange and turquoise in the rug.
There were plenty of lighting options from a huge white circular lamp over the table, a freestanding lamp, 2 wall lights and an extendable spotlight on the desk.
But my favourite part of the set up was the two leather effect stool/tables with gold legs and a dark wood tray fitted over one of them. They looked like little pommel horses but as my last attempt to use one of those left me with a fractured skull I was not tempted to try them out!
Instead I used them as footstools, coffee tables, writing and chocolate resting devices while I laid back and watched films onTV.
The final room was the kitchen and I was impressed how such a small space could hold all that it did. A full sized fridge with ice box, microwave, hob, kettle, dishwasher, sink, saucepans, crockery, cutlery and utensils.
My only issue was that it could have done with a toaster but it redeemed itself by having a handy hatch into the lounge so that I could make a cuppa and not miss any of my precious film viewing!
SURROUNDING AREA
The Adagio is at the forefront of the exciting new development in the Waverley area, known locally as The New Wave. It will encompass retail outlets, cafes and restaurants alongside office buildings and homes.
Sibbald Walk, a spacious plaza behind the hotel is already a popular haunt and has several wooden food kiosks selling delicious lunch snacks from haggis in a bun to Kenyan doughnuts!
The Arches
The Victorian railway arches on East Market Street have been recently renovated with individual shops and food and drink outlets. Take a seat outside and tuck into steak from The Chop House or a gourmet sandwich from Gannet and Guga.
Sup a wine from Vino, an organic juice from Juice Warrior or a bubble tea at Tempo Tea Bar. Browse Atticus Boutique or check out Elk and Wolf for intricate jewellery and unusual pieces for your home.
SUMMING UP
The Adagio is already making a name for itself as the perfect base to explore the city and with a welcoming and friendly staff and bright well equipped apartments will surely go from strength to strength.
A relaxing and comfortable oasis in the heart of the city, I felt totally at home and would recommend it to anyone looking for the freedom that an aparthotel provides, whether for a weekends sightseeing, a business trip or family holiday.
Prices start at £132 per night for a studio with double or twin beds and £182 for an apartment sleeping 4 people. Breakfast is included in both these rates.
Address: 231 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BH
Phone: 0131 322 8299
