Staycity Aparthotels West End

An apartment hotel constructed in 2011, the Staycity Serviced Apartments West End has the look of a typical urban apartment building. The five-story, tan brick structure is surrounded by neatly kept lawns and basic shrubbery, and some stone planters filled with leafy vines and trees. Interiors feel bright, airy, and modern throughout. The common areas are limited to a postage-stamp-size front desk area with a guest computer, bottled water vending machine, and a bank of tourist brochures. There's just one gray love-seat for relaxing, but the lobby is not the point of the property. The focus here is on the comfortable and cheery units. The apartment blocks are linked by outdoor corridors with attractive touches, like square planters and wood trim running up the wall, which adds to the chic atmosphere. Modern travel-themed or abstract prints -- some appearing nearly identical -- hang on the walls of the common areas and guest rooms. The Staycity attracts travelers looking for an alternative to the typical hotel, and it offers excellent value for the money.

The Staycity Serviced Apartments West End are located in Edinburgh’s up-and-coming Fountainbridge neighborhood, a less glamorous, but safe and steadily improving area. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, and a Tesco Express can be reached in a few minutes on foot, convenient for stocking apartment pantries. The Princes Street shops are a mile away, and the Haymarket train station is half a mile off. The Fountain Park Entertainment Centre, with kids' activities, eateries, and a cinema, is within a five-minute walk. It's a 20-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle. There are lovely park areas for strolling nearby, within a 15-minute walk at The Meadows, and within a 25-minute walk at Princes Street Gardens. 

The Staycity Serviced Apartments West End offers a variety of accommodations, from studio apartments up to four-bedroom townhouses with space for seven guests. All are bright, clean, spacious, and airy, with plenty of light and spotless hardwood floors. The decor in the living room areas and bedrooms is simple and sleek, in dark leather, glass, and natural-looking wood, with modern pops of pale yellow and polka-dot patterns. Some apartments have small balconies. Each unit has a full kitchen with stove and oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, cookware, dishes, and utensils; many have washer/dryers. Penthouse apartments have spectacular roof decks with views of the city. Bathrooms are modern and understated in dark brown and white tile, with walk-in shower stalls. Amenities include flat-screen TVs with digital channels, and linens/towels -- but no in-room safes (though hotel lockers can be used for a fee). DVD players are available on request. 

The Staycity Serviced Apartments West End has a 24-hour front desk with tourist information and guest assistance. There's a bank of lockers for guests who want to secure valuables, for a fee. (Note: Rooms don't have safes.) Vending machines with bottled water, as well as snacks and sodas are located in the lobby, and there's a guest computer at reception with a printer. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Weekly housekeeping is offered to guests staying seven nights or more, and paid parking is available on-site. Families can make use of the outdoor playground with a play space covered in soft-rubber floors.