Centrally located, the Apex Grassmarket Hotel is equally ideal for business travel or a perfect bolthole for a long weekend in the Scottish capital.
The hotel is situated in the heart of the Old Town in Edinburgh’s thriving Grassmarket, and is within short walking distance of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Greyfriar’s Kirk, the National Library of Scotland and the National Museum of Scotland.
The magnificent Edinburgh Castle is on the hotel’s doorstep and looms imposingly down. A sister property, the Apex Edinburgh City hotel is located just down the road. Apex Hotels is a Scottish hotel firm that can mix it with the likes of Sheraton and Hilton without too much fuss.
The 169-room hotel is a short taxi ride from both Waverley and Haymarket stations and, unusually for a downtown hotel, has its own carpark.
There are also comprehensive facilities for travellers with disabilities. The hotel boasts an impressive indoor swimming pool, gym and sauna.
Entering the lobby via the hotel’s unassuming exterior bring you into a stylish, warm lobby. The staff are courteous and helpful and check-in was completed quickly and efficiently.
Our deluxe room was large and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows gave us an impressive view of the Grassmarket and Edinburgh Castle, which sat directly above us. The king-size bed was very comfortable and the room came with a well stocked mini-bar and a large-screen plasma television.
The bathroom had a large, deep bath and even came with Elemis toiletries and even a complimentary rubber duck! It was a cold few days in Edinburgh but the room was warm, dry and cosy.
Breakfast in the hotel is served on the upper level in the breakfast room. Here you can enjoy a continental or full Scottish breakfast and have spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle. Be sure try out the local Scottish kippers.
The hotel also has a lounge and the Metro Bar & Brasserie at street level. The airy restaurant is informal and serves perfectly decent Scottish gastro-fayre at very reasonable prices. You can choose from local delicacies such as small plates of venison scotch egg or crayfish linguine. Mains include highland Scotch beef and lamb dishes.
It will come as no surprise that the hotel is very popular with business travellers and is a hive of activity most mornings into lunch. The hotel has a comprehensive conference suite.
Edinburgh’s oldest, and reputedly haunted, pub The White Hart Inn is opposite the hotel. The surrounding Grassmarket has winding cobblestone streets waiting to be explored and filled with bespoke boutiques selling everything from local pottery to Scottish and cashmere. Highly recommended.
Double rooms from £99 in low season; and from £130 in high. Breakfast included and free Wi-Fi.
Address: 31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HS, United Kingdom
Phone: 0131 300 3456
Website: apexhotels.co.uk
