Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel

The Apex City of Edinburgh is a bright and breezy place, with a slate-gray and lemon color scheme throughout its lobby and restaurant, which both look out over Grassmarket from floor-to-ceiling windows. In the center of the hotel’s lobby is a hand-painted statue of a leopard set in the middle of yellow banquettes, and lit by oversize filament bulbs dangling from exposed wire draped from the ceiling. On the other side of the elevators is the hotel’s bar and restaurant, with a brightly patterned ceramic floor and walls covered in slats of richly varnished wood. There are bright-yellow sofas in the bar, and others with intricate patterns in shades of gray, and a tall black-quartz bar. The restaurant is a long and narrow space, with a high-backed lemon banquette down the middle facing both ways, and dark wood tables on either side. The hotel attracts tourists looking to make the most of its central location.

It would be hard to improve on the hotel’s location -- for those that don’t mind the hills that are a huge presence in Edinburgh’s Old Town, that is. The hotel is located along Grassmarket, a wide and bustling street with plenty of bars, restaurants, independent shops, and theaters. A five-minute walk uphill leads to the Royal Mile, which is Edinburgh’s main drag. At one end of the Royal Mile is Edinburgh Castle, which can be seen from the hotel, and at the other is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s Edinburgh residence, and Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano that looms large over the city. Over the brow of the volcanic ridge that the Royal Mile sits atop is Edinburgh New Town, an exquisitely preserved Georgian neighborhood. It’s about a 10-minute walk to Queen Street, which is the main shopping street for much of Edinburgh, and runs through this part of town. On the way to the New Town are Prince’s Street Gardens and the great gothic spire of the Scott Monument. Edinburgh Waverly Station is a 10-minute walk away, and Edinburgh Airport is 25 minutes away by car, or 40 to 45 minutes by public transport.

The 122 rooms in the Apex City of Edinburgh can sometimes feel cramped, but they're all contemporary and stylishly outfitted. Expect bold patterned carpets, gray accent walls, linens and upholstery in various shades like magenta or gold, and simple wood and metal furniture. Those that face out onto Grassmarket have lovely views of the Castle. Another perk is that all rooms have sofas, big desks with pop-out mirrors, kettles alongside tea and coffee, and flat-screen TVs. On the downside, only higher-category rooms come with mini-fridges, Nespresso machines, and safes. Bathrooms are modern, and have either showers or shower cubicles and separate bathtubs. Hairdryers and toiletries are also provided. Suites have separate living rooms with dining tables, and they add bathrobes. Guests have noted that there is no air-conditioning in the rooms, but that is rarely an issue in Edinburgh. All rooms include a free rubber duck to take home.

For a hotel of its class, the Apex City of Edinburgh is rather light in amenities, though travelers come here to explore the city rather than to spend time on-site. Although not included in room rates, the property serves a buffet breakfast with hot food cooked-to-order, however, it's pricier than nearby options. The restaurant also serves an all day a la carte menu. Conveniently, guests have free access to a sister hotel's indoor pool and gym, located just down the road. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.