Old Town Chambers

Housed in several contiguous buildings dating back to Medieval times, the Old Town Chambers is beautiful and swish through and through. It's small and has few on-site amenities, but this boutique has some of the most polished interiors in town. The property is tucked away in one of the oldest closes (alleyways) in the Old Town, and with just a small sign to mark the entrance and a historic facade similar to that of its neighbors, the hotel is easy to miss. A glass door opens onto a stylish, cozy lobby with wall-to-wall windows that feels more like a private living room (or a sleek home decor store) than a reception area. There is no front desk, and plush couches in purple hues set alongside a fireplace and bookshelves lend the space a homey feel. Long, narrow hallways with dim lighting lead to the apartments, while a small sign shows the way to the gym downstairs. The vibe is quiet and intimate, with just the lobby and the gym as common areas. But the property offers a level of luxury and comfort that is hard to match. Princes Street Suites is a good alternative in this price range, but the Old Town Chambers is more stylish. Travelers who don’t need a kitchen may want to compare rates at the Principal Edinburgh George Street, which is generally cheaper and has a similar luxe feel. The beautiful (and more expensive) Tigerlily may be a better pick for young couples wanting to party, with two happening bars on-site and sophisticated rooms with top-notch amenities. 

Old Town Chambers has one of the most coveted addresses in Edinburgh, right off the Royal Mile and directly opposite St Giles’ Cathedral. Travelers with mobility issues or carrying heavy luggage may want to note that although the hotel is just a five-minute walk from Waverley Station, the way up to the main entrance is via a long, steep set of stairs, and taking a taxi to the end of the alley closest to the Royal Mile is advisable. Despite the inconvenience of the steps, this location is ideal for those wanting to explore the city on foot, as most of the top attractions can be found within a five- to 10-minute walk, including Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill, the Scott Monument, and the Scottish National Gallery. Airport buses and trams are also just an easy stroll away, as is the National Museum of Scotland and shopping along Princes Street. It takes about 25 minutes to get to the Edinburgh Airport by car. 

Old Town Chambers offers 50 beautiful apartments, all decorated in a posh, modern style that combines a few of the building's original architectural elements -- such as exposed stone walls -- and designer touches, including patterned silver wallpaper, custom-made seating, and throw pillows of different textures. Most apartments have a polished navy-and-gray palette, but some have bright pops of green, purple, or yellow that make them cheerful and stylish.Studios are the smallest units here, but we found ours comfortable and a good size, with enough space to fit in a spacious open kitchen, a living area with a plush couch and a dining table, two twins or a king bed, and a big bathroom. The largest apartment is the Townhouse, a jaw-dropping, three-story unit with its own private entrance, vaulted ceilings, and a stand-alone copper tub in the bathroom. Big windows in all apartments let in sunlight, but Signature Apartments have the best views.Across the board, apartments are outfitted with an array of great amenities, including smart TVs, Bose sound systems, personal internet routers, smart lighting systems, and safes big enough for laptops. Kitchens are sleek and feature not only great appliances -- washers, dishwashers, cooktops, ovens, microwaves, Nespresso machines, electric kettles, mini-fridges, and pots and pans -- but also thoughtful extras such as butter trays, milk and sugar jars, egg holders, and cheese graters. Additionally, the hotel provides welcome packs that include Nespresso pods (not replenished), instant coffee, sugar, milk, tea bags, and shortbread, plus dish soap, sponges, and dishwasher pods. Bathrooms are big and contemporary, with Prussian-blue and gray subway tiles, shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads, heated towel racks, and professional hairdryers. Cowshed toiletries are provided in big containers, and hair straighteners are available on request.

The Old Town Chambers is overall light on amenities, but it does offer a couple of convenient perks. The 24-hour fitness center is spacious and well-equipped with a wide array of cardio and strength-training Rogue Fitness machines, plus personal trainers are available by appointment. There is no restaurant at Old Town Chambers, but guests can request to have their kitchen stocked before their arrival for a fee. The hotel also offers discounts at a couple of partner restaurants, including the Italian eatery downstairs from reception, and a gourmet take-out shop and cafe that can deliver food (including breakfast boxes) to apartments. The hotel also offers concierge services and discounted rates at a nearby parking lot.