The Knight Residence by Mansley

The Knight Residence is an apartment-style property that's a 5-minute walk from Grassmarket and a 15-minute walk from the Royal Mile. From the outside, the main building looks bland and boxy, with a stone base and slightly sooted plaster facade. The interior entryway has the simple, soulless feel of an office waiting room, with beige walls, unadorned except for a few framed certificates; floors covered in thin blue carpet; a potted fake tree and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV in one corner; and wooden check-in window. Past that, the vestibule functions as a cozier -- though equally simple -- lobby, with two chairs and a table, a large DVD library, wall racks of books and travel brochures, and an automatic coffee machine. This is the extent of the property's common space in which guests could interact, as there's no on-site bar or restaurant. 

The Knight Residence has an ideal location for leisure travelers. It is in the heart of Old Town, near Edinburgh Castle and within walking distance of the Royal Mile, where many of the top sights can be found. There are several bus lines running along Port Street, just around the corner from the property, but most tourist attractions can be reached on foot, including the Grassmarket area, shopping on Princes Street, and the Scottish National Gallery.

Old Town is the birthplace of Edinburgh. Its main street is known as the Royal Mile, which goes by four different names depending on the segment you are in. This beautiful street is lined with gorgeous historic architecture and plenty of shops. It can feel a little touristy at times, but it’s where travelers will find most of the things to do and see in town. Princes Street, which is the southern border of New Town and home to some of the best boutiques, is also within walking distance. This picturesque area is also home to bars and restaurants, and one of the highlights is the renowned Grassmarket, a vibrant, historic market square offering entertainment, shops, restaurants and pubs.

• 20-minute drive to Edinburgh Airport
• Three-minute walk to the Grassmarket
• 10-minute walk to the Edinburgh Castle
• 11-minute walk to St. Giles Cathedral
• 12-minute walk to the Royal Mile
• 12-minute walk to shopping on Princes Street
• 15-minute walk to the National Gallery of Scotland
• 23-minute walk or 16-minute bus ride to the Palace of Holyroodhouse
• 21-minute bus ride to the National Monument, the Nelson Museum, and the City Observatory
• Eight-minute drive or 26-minute bus ride to the Royal Botanic Garden

Style-wise, the Knight Residence apartments leave a lot to be desired. Their color scheme rarely strays from washed-out grays, beiges, browns, and blues, and some of the furniture has a distinctly dated look. What they lack in dash, though, they more than make up for with comfort and convenience. All room categories -- from studios to three-bedroom apartments -- have lounges with dining areas, full kitchens (refrigerator, microwave, oven/stove, coffeemaker, dishwasher, washer, dryer), and free Wi-Fi. All apartments have at least two flat-screen TVs -- many HD or plasma, and all 32-inch or larger -- with Blu-Ray/DVD players. 

The 420-square-foot studios have a double bed, while the 420- to 480-square-foot one-bedroom apartments come with either one queen bed, two twin beds, or two queen beds. The 680- to 700-square-foot two-bedroom apartments have either one or two queen beds in one room and two twin beds in the other. And the 1,400-square-foot three-bedroom apartment has a master room with a queen bed and a twin bed, a second room with two twin beds, and a third room with a queen bed. All beds have silk bedding and pillows.

All bathrooms have shower/tub combos, heated towel racks, heat-resistant mirrors, high-pressure showers, speaker extensions, and BeeKind bath products. 

Cribs, extra beds and cots are all available.

There aren't any common areas where guests can gather here (besides the hall area that acts as a lobby), but the hotel offers a few thoughtful features, like a gift for kids at check-in and a welcome basket with breakfast supplies (coffee, teas, bread, jams, cereals, juices), which is delivered to the room on guests' first day. The Knight Residence also stocks the kitchens with basic groceries, like water, cookies, instant noodles, and milk (and there is a supermarket across the street).

Private off-street parking (in the courtyard behind the main building) and babysitting services are both available for a fee.