Greyfriars (Flat 7), Old Town, Edinburgh

Gut

We spent a few nights here while exploring Edinburgh and it definitely exceeded expectations. We wanted to stay someplace that was walkable to everything we wanted to see and this apartment certainly was. Just around the corner from a fairly famous pub, this is pretty much an equal distance from Edinburgh Castle and Palace of Holyroodhouse, but just off the Royal Mile, so tucked away from all the tourist traffic. You'll get a bit of street noise, but not much and given the location that's pretty much par for the course. You either have convenience or total quiet-it's not possible to have both if you're staying near the Royal Mile. The apartment was clean, well decorated and spacious for two people, with a comfortable bed, well appointed kitchen and a good washer/dryer. It also has a nice selection of Scottish based books and movies and Jennifer welcomed us with wine and shortbread, a great touch. Communication with Jennifer was easy and she was always quick to respond. She was wonderful regarding check in and was very flexible, which worked great for us as our travel plans day to day weren't set in stone. This apartment felt like a home away from home for us and the location can't be beat. So happy we found it!

I gave this apartment five stars because our overall experience was great. From my first contact with the owner, she was always very prompt and helpful in her replies, even about little things such as where the nearest grocery store was, etc. the apartment building itself is a beautiful old building, but it is obvious that this apartment was recently renovated and is kept in very nice condition. It is definitely on the cozy end size-wise, but still very comfortable for two adults. The kitchen is fully stocked with cooking equipment (much more than we needed), and easy to use. The washer and dryer is a single machine that took some getting used to for those of us that have never used one before, but the instruction manual provided some help. When I first booked this apartment, my daughter wasn't walking yet, but by the time our visit arrived she was cruising consistently and wanting to walk constantly. This apartment was a little cramped for that purpose, but not such a big deal in the end because we spent most of every day sightseeing, and also let her stretch her legs in the Greyfriars abbey yard right next door. Also along the lines of child issues, We were also grateful for the numerous restaurants along this street, many of which offered take out, which is sometimes key with a tired toddler at 7pm. Also, the one night we did eat out with her, we went to an Italian restaurant (Vittorio) which was just a block away. Their window said "children very welcome" and I have to say that was very true. Practically every waiter in the restaurant cooed and flirted with our daughter and kept her entertained, while they also were careful to keep our dinner moving quickly. Overall, we had a great time in Edinburgh with this apartment being home base. Would definitely return again or recommend to family or friends.