Old Town, United States
Centrally located in Old Edinburgh, within walking distance of Edinburgh Castle
Regal retrofitted bank building with high ceilings and historic details
Tastefully decorated rooms with coffeemakers, minibars, and iPod docks
Bathrooms with modern, upscale finishes and The White Company toiletries
On-site restaurant with a focus on Scottish cuisine
Access to a nearby gym
Affiliated spa nearby
Free Wi-Fi
No elevator means guests climb stairs to some rooms
Rooms on lower floors can get outside noise
No on-site gym or business center
The Inn on the Mile, is, as the name suggests, located on the Royal Mile in the heart of Old Edinburgh and within walking distance of several landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle and Scottish Parliament. The nine-room boutique hotel is housed within a former bank building that still has the original ceiling cornice molding and exposed brick plus modern designer finishes. The upper-middle-range hotel has a distinct style, but also minor drawbacks, such as no elevator. As an alternative, travelers could try the neighboring Stay Edinburgh City Apartments - Royal Mile with similar rates and full kitchens, but also no elevator.
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Scene
A bank building with historic details converted into a boutique hotel
Built in 1923, The Inn on the Mile still has Greek columns and an ornate stone crest that was carved into the edifice when it was the British Linen Bank. Inside, the building has been given a modern rustic makeover. The lobby has a chalkboard accent wall listing off some of the restaurant's menu items, and the reception desk is fashioned from repurposed, dark-wood shelving. The staircases are lined with sparkling white tile and black and cream-colored flower wallpaper. Sculptures, pottery and artifacts from the building's history dot the landings in front of the sash windows. Walls in the hotel restaurant are stripped down to the original stone, and the banquette booths are covered in black leather.
Location
On the Royal Mile, surrounded by historic Edinburgh
The Royal Mile, where The Inn on the Mile is located, runs downhill between two historic locations: Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace. This section of the Old City is touristy yet also has some of the best restaurants in Edinburgh. Neighbors include pubs, a cashmere store, banks, and even fast food restaurants such as Subway and Pizza Express. Many of these shops are located in retrofitted historic buildings, making this commercialized district still appear very quaint. Plenty of landmarks are within walking distance, including Parliament Square and St. Giles' Cathedral (both of which are a five-minute walk away). Edinburgh Airport can be reached in approximately 23 minutes by car.
Rooms
Subtly stylish rooms with iPod docks, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi
Guest rooms come in two categories: Mile and Royal Mile. Both have a king-size bed, work desk, flat-screen TV, coffeemaker, and free Wi-Fi. Royal Mile Rooms have a little more space and impressive views, and each has its own signature wallpaper. Several guests staying one of the hotel's lower floors complain of street noise interrupting a good night's sleep. Bathrooms may be the most stylish space of all, with glass shower stalls lined in charcoal-tinted tiles and broad white sinks capped with two faucets. Some rooms have a free-standing bathtub in addition to the shower. All come with free toiletries by The White Company. Each minibar is stocked with "Scottish refreshments" (for a fee). The room's iPod dock connects to speakers in the ceiling so you can give your stay a personalized soundtrack.
Features
Beyond the restaurant, on-site features are limited
The Inn on the Mile's restaurant focuses on a mix of hearty Scottish fare and crowd pleasers, with menu items including "Breast of Chicken Stuffed with Haggis," "Gourmet Bangers" and "Breaded Whole Tail Scampi." Drinks include a large selection of craft beers and several aged whiskeys. In-room food service is also available. Travelers hoping to exercise off these calories will have to head over to the nearby Pace Health Club, where guests of Inn on the Mile are given a discount daily rate. The hotel also has a deal with Zen Lifestyle for guests who want a spa treatment. But there's no solution for the lack of a business center, aside from making use of the free Wi-Fi.
