Name: Edinburgh Art Apartments
Address: 1 Royal Mile,, 1 Cranston St, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8BE, UK, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 8BE, United Kingdom
Rating: 9

Smoke-free property

Heating

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

General

Family room

Rooms

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

English

French

Arabic

Languages Spoken

No parking

Parking

Family/Kid Friendly

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the apartment

Tron Kirk

Edinburgh Vaults

St Andrew's House

Dunbar’s Close Garden

Collective Gallery

Edinburgh Dungeon

St. Giles' Cathedral

Edinburgh Visit Scotland Information Centre

National Monument of Scotland

City Observatory

Wohl Pathology Museum

Our Dynamic Earth

Old Tolbooth

Calton Hill

National Museum of Scotland

Museum on the Mound

Scott Monument

Palace of Holyroodhouse

National Gallery of Scotland

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Royal Scottish Academy Art Gallery

Princes Street Gardens

Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

Arthur's Seat

Edinburgh Castle

Holyrood Park

Royal Botanic Garden

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Royal Yacht Britannia

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Airport

Dundee Airport

Celtic Park

Glasgow Necropolis

Glasgow Cathedral

St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art

People's Palace and Winter Gardens

Glasgow Green

George Square

Buchanan Galleries

Gallery of Modern Art

Royal Concert Hall

Pavilion Theatre

Lighthouse

Centre for Contemporary Art

Botanic Gardens

Hunterian Museum

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Edinburgh Art Apartments

Edinburgh

Unfortunately I had a very negative experience with Carlos and the "management" of this property last week due to their inconsiderate and unreasonable response with regard to my group being forced to cancel our trip due to the coronavirus pandemic. The UK government advised all UK citizens to social distance and avoid any unnecessary travel from Monday 16th March. As such, I contacted the owner Carlios via Booking.com (this is how I reserved the booking) to request cancellation and either a full or partial refund (since we had just gone beyond the 7-day free cancellation period - no fault of our own since the government advice did not come in before that time and the pandemic rapidly escalated) , or even a postponement of our trip to another date in the future, for no extra cost, or even a fee. But no. Carlos did not offer us any of the reasonable requests listed above, which considering the unprecedented circumstances left myself and my friends feeling utterly helpless and upset. Carlos stated that there was nothing he could do and that the "management" were the ones that Booking.com should speak to discuss further. But interestingly, Booking.com could never get through to this so-called "management", and I was refused contact details for them also. The only thing that Carlos & the "management" offered was no refund on our £1,100 reservation but 25% off a future reservation with them! Not acceptable! Booking.com advised us not to cancel the booking until they could investigate further. Initially, Carlos was very friendly and helpful answering my questions about logistics when I made the booking back in January, stating that I would only be charged for the accommodation on the day of check-in (Friday 20th March 2020), but once I enquired about possible cancellation or postponement, I was charged in full on Tuesday 17th March! Overall, my friends and I had an extremely disappointing experience with the owner of Edinburgh Art Apartments. We were very  much looking forward to celebrating our friends hen-weekend in Edinburgh and would never cancelled if not for the extreme cirumstances. Not only were we folloowing the general government advice, some of us have existing chronic conditions, and some are key workers in the NHS and schools, and so it was especially important for us not to travel and to self-isolate at this time. Carlos and "management" did not feel that this mattered and they stuck with their policy, unwilling to consider any of these issues that we carefully and politely explained. Do not book with this accommodation during these uncertain times as you will not receive any benefit of the doubt from the owners. We were sad to miss out on a trip to the apartments sinc they were so well reviewed by others. What a shame. As yet we have still not been offered any chance of a refund or postponements and have been charged £1,100 for this booking, that the owners then cancelled on Friday since we could not come to check in due to all of the reasons listed above.

Inconsiderate and unreasonable host during coronavirus pandemic

Myself and 9 of my friends were booked for my hen-do at the Edinburgh Art Apartments. When it became apparent 5 days before the booking that we would be unable to travel due to the government introducing the social distancing advice (Monday 16th), we immediately contacted the host asking for a cancellation or postponement. However, the host, Carlos, has point-blank refused to even consider moving the booking to a later date, citing the cancellation policy that requires a 7 day notice. 

We feel utterly helpless. As there is not an outright travel ban in the UK at present, booking.com could not force the host to issue a refund; it is completely at the host’s discretion and they are being totally inflexible, heartless and hiding behind their cancellation policy, even in such extreme and unprecedented circumstances. 

It just seems like the host is using the current situation as a money grabbing opportunity. The booking was £1,100 which is now completely lost. What makes it even worse is that Carlos suggested that we “try to come, you can have a nice holiday", which is totally inappropriate given the government advice, and dangerous given that amongst us are key workers such as NHS staff and those with underlying conditions such as asthma. Just to reiterate how money-centred their approach is, Carlos actually thought he was being generous by offering us a 25% discount on a future booking. 

Like so many others we have had to postpone our wedding and honeymoon, and this experience of shameless profiteering has only added to our anxiety. It maddens me that he will be able to get away with this. 

If you are thinking of booking this apartment, especially over the next year when there are so many uncertainties concerning travel and future plans, I would seriously urge you to think twice about booking with this apartment and host. They will not give you the benefit of the doubt if anything awful happens.  

Finally, I should add that Carlos appeared to be so friendly and helpful from the outset. Unfortunately, this soon changed once there was a risk he would not receive his money.

Owner profiteering from the coronavirus crisis

Stayed here with a group of friends recently and it was a great find. The location was perfect as it is right on the royal mile so everything was within walking distance. We had 2 apartments and both were beautiful, clean and really well equipped. Carlos was also really helpful leading up to the booking with useful info and letting us leave our bags there after check out. I would definitely recommend staying here.

Perfect!

I'm sure there is some deep meaning behind the fish bones in all his paintings, just never remembered to ask what it was...

Location is ridiculously good. Three double beds, snug lounge/kitchen is fine. Will certainly book again when we're back in Edinburgh.

I kept forgetting to ask about the fish skeletons....

When I left it to my parents to book the accommodation in Edinburgh, I had no idea where they'd pick! To my delight, they picked something right in the heart of Edinburgh, with a superbly furnished and decorated interior - it felt more like a (very clean) home than a temporary hotel room or rental. And honestly, walking right out the front door and practically onto the Royal Mile: can you get a better spot? 

My Dad mentioned that there'd been a little mix up / communication error in the booking process. To make up for that our host came around one afternoon and provided some Scotch to have a drink with us - which was lovely! He was very friendly and gracious, plus I learned that the art in the rooms was actually created by him! As an artist myself, this just took the experience to another level.

The only thing I'd flag is that there are quite a lot of stairs to get to the apartment. (I know they have some on lower floors so maybe bring that up if that could be a problem for you, to ensure you get an option that works for you.) This was certainly a challenge with lots of bags to take upstairs! But the upside was that the view from the room was really great!

Talk about location...

This accommodation deserves a special review: for its central location, so central that there's no better place; for the precision and courtesy of the owner, who made us find wine and chocolate in the house and a complete pantry of genres useful for cooking; for the convenience and cleanliness of the premises; for the wonderful view of the Royal Mile... and the price for all this... there is no competition!

One word: wow!

We booked apartment 1 but got apartment 4 so if you have trouble handling 50 stairs - beware.

The apartment is located in middle of Royal Mile! Best location.

Across the road are three pubs including the World’s End! Mini-market downstairs with great cafe across road.

Did I mention the location. 

Clean and well set out apartment. Has 2 spacious bedrooms with double beds.  One with lounge that converts into a large double plus has its own tv. Lounge room  also has 2 sofa beds and tv with great wifi service.

There are 2 good size bathrooms with showers and toilets (1 has a bath) .

Would stay here again in a heartbeat!  Thought recommend this one of the best apartments I’ve stayed in UK and Ireland. 

Carlos, our host, left welcoming wine and chocolates (plus more following day) 

Only thing lacking is a washing machine/dryer.

Still 10/10!

Thank you!
  

Location, location, location! Plus great host and appartment 

Beautifully refurbished apartment in the best location on the Royal Mile central to everything.  It has all the amenities you would expect from a property which has an owner who understands attention to detail and looks after their customers. 
We stayed for three nights and our time spent in the apartment was cosy, if a little noisy at times from the hustle and bustle out on the street but you can’t beat the atmosphere of this vibrant city so we didn’t care.
Only one tiny point to mention. The artwork on the wall may not be to everyone’s taste and we had to remove one from the bedroom wall and turn it round so as not to give my daughters nightmares! Other than that the decor was lovely!

Perfect apartment, great location

We stayed here from 9 to 13 April 2018. 5 girls on pleasure trips. The structure is central (on the royal mile a few minutes from the castle, the royal palace, from princess street), quiet, comfortable and clean (and believe me, I am very allergic and manic with the cleaning...). The keys are not given personally by the owner but left in a drawer, a method I find very convenient, giving more freedom on arrival time without having to wait or be expected by anyone. Inside we found everything we needed and even more.

It's perfect.

Excellent apartment for its views of the city center. Easy access to iconic buildings due to its proximity as well as the apartment was very clean, carefully maintained and perfect bathrooms. It has rooms with comfortable beds and a large sofa bed in the living room.

Edinburgh Art Apartments

Main amenities of the apartment

Location

Available rooms

Location

Description of the apartment

What other amenities are there?

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Additional information

Payment