🇬🇧 Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites
📍 28 Castle Street
Your stay — Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites
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The Property — Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites
Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites is a straightforward 3-star self-catering place a few minutes' walk from the castle and Royal Mile. The lobby feels like a functional city-centre base – clean, no frills, with staff who hand you keys and point you to the lifts. It suits independent travellers who want their own kitchen and space, not hotel services or atmosphere. The main asset is location: you step out onto Johnston Terrace/Royal Mile action immediately.
Chronicles of Edinburgh
Edinburgh grew around the volcanic plug of Castle Rock, settled from at least the Iron Age. The medieval Old Town clustered down the Royal Mile, while the 18th-century New Town spread north in a grid of Georgian terraces and neoclassical squares. Its distinctive split-level cityscape – dark closes and wynds below, broad Georgian crescents above – reflects a tension between medieval deference and Enlightenment ambition. Today the city is a year-round cultural magnet: the world's largest arts festival in August, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a blunt, bookish local character that keeps the tourist gloss in check.
Best Time to Visit
Full Edinburgh guide →Best months
May, June, September – mild weather (12–18°C), long daylight, and fewer crowds than the festival peak. June has the best chance of dry, settled spells.
Peak / festival surge
August is absolute peak because of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and International Festival, plus the Military Tattoo. The city's population roughly doubles, hotel prices typically climb 200-300% above off-peak, and rooms book months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and early October offer significant discounts (30-50% below August rates), still reasonable weather (8–15°C), and manageable visitor numbers. Many attractions remain on full winter schedules, but you skip the worst queues.
Weather & packing
Edinburgh has a microclimate that can deliver four seasons in one afternoon – sun, sudden drizzle, gusty wind, then back to sun. Pack a waterproof shell jacket with a hood and layer up; never rely on an umbrella, as the wind off the Forth will snap it.
Live City Briefing — Edinburgh
- Edinburgh's tram extension to Newhaven opened in June 2023, now running direct from the city centre to Leith's waterfront, including the Royal Yacht Britannia and newer food-and-drink areas.
- A long-running road improvement scheme on George IV Bridge (next to the National Library) will still be active in summer 2026; expect temporary lane closures and pedestrian diversions near the Central Library and upper Royal Mile.
- The Scottish Government has extended Low Emission Zone restrictions to Edinburgh city centre (enforced from June 2024); rental cars and older vehicles must meet emissions standards or pay daily charges – check before you drive into the zone.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a top-floor rear-facing room. Castle Street is a main thoroughfare in the New Town, so rooms at the back avoid traffic rumble and benefit from quieter conditions. Upper floors also minimise street-level pub noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor above Castle Street; they catch direct traffic noise and may overlook the pavement. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft if your property has one — older tenement buildings like this often have noisy lifts.
Best views
Front-facing rooms on upper floors have views over the New Town gardens and towards Edinburgh Castle. Rear-facing rooms overlook courtyard or adjacent quieter streets.
Quietest floors
Request floors 3 or higher (top floor usually 4). These are furthest from street and entrance noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Castle Street is a busy one-way street with buses and taxis, especially in morning and evening rush hours. Pubs and restaurants on nearby George Street and Princes Street create foot traffic until late on weekends.
Insider tips
1. Ask for Room 401 or similar top-floor rear — it’s quietest. 2. If arriving by car, use the Castle Terrace NCP car park (5 mins walk); there’s no on-site parking. 3. Check-in is often via a key safe or the pub next door; confirm in advance.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites
Free WiFi throughout, typical speed 25 Mbps, no login required
Lift serves all floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; building is a converted 19th-century townhouse with a narrow spiral staircase to upper floors
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed; late checkout fee of £30 until 12:00, subject to availability
Free luggage storage available at reception during check-in/out hours
No step-free access; main entrance has a step, and no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms due to listed building constraints
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Castle Terrace Car Park (5-min walk) at £25 for 24 hours; no EV charging on site
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (not applicable to this property type in Edinburgh)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a £200 incidental card hold taken at check-in, released upon departure
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: New Town Church (85 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Christian Science Reading Room;Scottish Science Reading Room (677 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Quaker Meeting House (700 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: St Columba's Free Church (702 m · ~9 min walk)
Halal: Al-Turki Butchers on Leith Walk (5-min walk); multiple halal kebab shops within 2 min walk on Leith Walk
Kosher: Fenwick's Delicatessen (city centre, 20-min walk) stocks kosher items; no dedicated store in EH2
Vegan/Vegetarian: Harmonium café on Queen Charlotte Street (8-min walk), 100% vegan; The Lookout on Leith Walk offers extensive vegan menu
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Waverley Market — 438 m · ~5 min walk
East Princes Street Gardens — 363 m · ~5 min walk
Museum on the Mound — 531 m · ~7 min walk
Assembly Rooms — 224 m · ~3 min walk
Royal Mile Nursery — 731 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 108 m · ~1 min walk
Boots — 455 m · ~6 min walk
Costcutter Local — 89 m · ~1 min walk
Princes Street — 281 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound Sterling, GBP
Travelex at Waverley Station or local banks (avoid airport bureaux with poor rates); Post Office in Leith Walk offers competitive rates
Contactless and card payments widely accepted everywhere; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) standard in most venues
Restaurants: 10-15% if service not included; taxis: round up or 10%; hotel staff: £1-2 per service; not obligatory but appreciated
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Starbucks or local cafés in Leith Walk around £2.50; Caffeine & Co for better value at £2.30
Tesco meal deals (sandwich, snack, drink) £3.50 at nearby Leith Walk supermarket; kebab shops offer £5-7 mains
Fish & chips from Fritto (Leith Walk) £7-9; Indian takeaways on Easter Road £6-8 for a main
Leith Walk has multiple kebab and chip shops; weekend food van near Pilrig Park with pizza/burgers around £8-10
Tesco Extra on Leith Walk (10-min walk) or Sainsbury's on McDonald Road (12-min walk); budget chains offer best prices
Leith Walk high street has Primark, H&M, New Look within 5-10 min walk; charity shops on Easter Road for bargains
Day ticket (Ridacard): £4.50 for unlimited buses/tram within zones 1-2; airport bus (Airlink 100): £5.50 single or buy 3-day pass for £13.50
Buy Ridacard weekly (£18.50) instead of daily; use Tesco Clubcard for food discounts; Leith Walk has numerous free activities and quieter parks than city centre
Good to know — Edinburgh
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Emergency Contacts
Edinburgh999 (or 112 from a mobile phone)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Edinburgh, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites
🕒 Check-in is from 15:00. Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 108 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Boots — 455 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Waverley Station / City Centre → Princes Street / Royal Mile area
💡 Perfect for local transit once in city. Modern, accessible, connects main attractions. Hotel is walkable from tram stops.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) → The Scotsman Hotel, Royal Mile
💡 Pre-book for better rates. Black cabs are iconic but metered taxis can be cheaper. Hotel can arrange pickups.
Edinburgh Airport → Waverley Bridge / City Centre
💡 Most economical airport transfer. Buy Ridacard for unlimited city bus travel. Buses to hotel area are frequent.
Edinburgh Airport (via airport link bus to Waverley) → Waverley Station (250m from hotel)
💡 Excellent for day trips (Glasgow, Stirling, Borders). Station is 5-minute walk to The Scotsman Hotel on Royal Mile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites?
Request a top-floor rear-facing room. Castle Street is a main thoroughfare in the New Town, so rooms at the back avoid traffic rumble and benefit from quieter conditions. Upper floors also minimise street-level pub noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites?
Avoid rooms on the first floor above Castle Street; they catch direct traffic noise and may overlook the pavement. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft if your property has one — older tenement buildings like this often have noisy lifts.
Is Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites noisy?
Castle Street is a busy one-way street with buses and taxis, especially in morning and evening rush hours. Pubs and restaurants on nearby George Street and Princes Street create foot traffic until late on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites?
Front-facing rooms on upper floors have views over the New Town gardens and towards Edinburgh Castle. Rear-facing rooms overlook courtyard or adjacent quieter streets.
What are insider tips for staying at Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites?
1. Ask for Room 401 or similar top-floor rear — it’s quietest. 2. If arriving by car, use the Castle Terrace NCP car park (5 mins walk); there’s no on-site parking. 3. Check-in is often via a key safe or the pub next door; confirm in advance.
What time is check-in at Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites?
Check-in at Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites is from 15:00. Check-out is by 11:00.
Does Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, typical speed 25 Mbps, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites?
None (not applicable to this property type in Edinburgh)
Where can I eat cheaply near Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites?
Tesco meal deals (sandwich, snack, drink) £3.50 at nearby Leith Walk supermarket; kebab shops offer £5-7 mains
What is the cheapest way to get around from Edinburgh Castle Apartments & Suites?
Day ticket (Ridacard): £4.50 for unlimited buses/tram within zones 1-2; airport bus (Airlink 100): £5.50 single or buy 3-day pass for £13.50
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
May, June, September – mild weather (12–18°C), long daylight, and fewer crowds than the festival peak. June has the best chance of dry, settled spells.
Top Attractions in Edinburgh
💡 Free guided tours run at 11am and 3pm. The basement cafe has the cheapest lunch on Princes Street.
💡 Head to the rooftop terrace for a clear view of the castle. The cafe does a decent bacon roll for under a fiver.
💡 Look for the grave of Thomas Riddell—J.K. Rowling borrowed the name for Tom Riddle. Ask at the art gallery next door for the map of notable graves.
💡 Start at the path behind Holyrood Palace. Avoid the grass if it's wet—it gets treacherously slippery.
💡 The glasshouses are free but ask at the ticket desk for a timed pass. The café does decent scones for under £3.