Cheval Old Town Chambers

“LuxuryStay in an Unbeatable Edinburgh Location”

We recently stayed at Old Town Chambers during our family trip to Scotland and overall had a very memorable experience in an incredible location right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. What stood out most throughout our stay was the hospitality and professionalism of the staff. Every member of… more

We recently stayed at Old Town Chambers during our family trip to Scotland and overall had a very memorable experience in an incredible location right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. What stood out most throughout our stay was the hospitality and professionalism of the staff. Every member of the front of house team was warm, welcoming and genuinely helpful, with a special mention to Daniel who went above and beyond for our family during our time there. The apartments themselves are beautiful, spacious and perfectly positioned for exploring Edinburgh on foot. Being able to walk straight out into the Old Town made the experience feel very special, especially travelling as a family. Thank you again to the entire team for your hospitality. We leave Edinburgh with very fond memories and would happily recommend the hotel to anyone wanting a premium stay in an unbeatable location.

less

“Perfect location and charm in the heart of the Royal Mile”

My wife and I recently stayed at this amazing hotel in the heart of old world Edinburgh. It’s a quaint hotel right across the street from St. Giles’ right in the middle of the Royal Mile - which is exactly where you want to be as a tourist. A few blocks down from Edinburgh Castle and The Witchery (… more

My wife and I recently stayed at this amazing hotel in the heart of old world Edinburgh. It’s a quaint hotel right across the street from St. Giles’ right in the middle of the Royal Mile - which is exactly where you want to be as a tourist. A few blocks down from Edinburgh Castle and The Witchery (also highly recommended and get a reservation). We loved the room, staff was amazing, and opt for breakfast included which was wonderful. Stay here. Just a heads up, being on the Royal Mile, you have to drop your bags off and park your rental about a mile away, which is a slight challenge if you’re not used to driving European roads, but don’t let it deter you. Just embrace it and have a great time.

less

“An Apartment Hotel That Gets the Details Right. Practical Luxury Done Well.”

Overall Verdict This apartment hotel is excellent at what it does and comfortably exceeded my expectations. My experience of hotels in Edinburgh has been mixed, often skewing towards style over practicality, with comfort sacrificed as a result. This is not The Balmoral, and it does not try to be. A… more

Overall Verdict This apartment hotel is excellent at what it does and comfortably exceeded my expectations. My experience of hotels in Edinburgh has been mixed, often skewing towards style over practicality, with comfort sacrificed as a result. This is not The Balmoral, and it does not try to be. At roughly half the price per night, it offers something more useful: well-designed, high-quality apartment living. For that reason, I have given it five stars within its category. The Apartment I stayed in a third-floor loft suite arranged over two levels. Upstairs, a bedroom and bathroom; downstairs, a generous living space with sofas, dining table, desk, kitchen and an additional toilet and shower room. The space was airy, calm and extremely comfortable. The skylights do overlook rooftops, but they also frame the sky; lying in bed in the evening and looking up was a genuine pleasure. From the lower level, there were excellent views across the city. The suite also featured modern artwork, with a thoughtful mix of photographs and paintings curated across both levels. It added character without tipping into over-design. Kitchen and Practical Design This is where the hotel distinguishes itself. The kitchen is finished to a genuinely high standard and, more importantly, properly thought through: • good quality cutlery, plates and glassware • sharp knives, scissors and proper cookware • Salt and pepper mill. • Dishwashing soap, with dishcloths • Oven gloves and kitchen towel • Paper towels • coffee machine, kettle and toaster • dishwasher with tablets provided • washing machine • a good hob, oven and an effective extraction fan That last point matters. I was able to cook properly, including smoky food, without triggering alarms or filling the apartment with fumes. The fridge was sensibly stocked with milk and water and otherwise left empty. I shopped and cooked with ease. This level of practical detail is rare, and it shows care rather than just design. Service The staff were consistently warm, capable and helpful. Almost every interaction felt natural rather than rehearsed, which makes a difference. Location The location on the Royal Mile is excellent, yet the hotel feels tucked away and discreet rather than exposed to the crowds. It has the atmosphere of a small, well-run five-star property. Layout Considerations The apartments are spread across several buildings; mine was in the main one. The loft layout involves stairs, which may not suit everyone. I would not usually choose this, but I trusted the recommendation and it was worth it, even with the extra climbing. Restaurant and Breakfast The restaurant is the one area of inconsistency. My first breakfast (midweek, around 8:30) was excellent: Eggs Benedict, tea, fruit and yoghurt, all beautifully done. It set up the day perfectly. The following morning (Friday) was quite different. The restaurant was busy, and I was seated in the mezzanine. I would advise waiting for a table in the main downstairs area. The service upstairs was polite but disorganised. There were two people up there, including me; a group of about four joined later. The mezzanine was nearly empty, and my experience suggests it was somewhat forgotten. My order took nearly half an hour. When it arrived, it had clearly been sitting for some time and was stone cold. There was an acknowledgement and an apology, and genuine kindness and courtesy. The issue was not attitude, which was great, but coordination and efficiency. It is a small thing, but exactly the kind of detail that can undermine an otherwise excellent stay. Allergy and Bedding As always, Marriott accommodated my request for a feather-free room, which I appreciate due to allergies and asthma. The bedding was clean and well presented, with a proper mattress cover. There was, however, a faint, slightly unpleasant smell emanating from the bedding, likely from storage or laundering rather than cleanliness. It dissipated after airing, but was noticeable on arrival. The upholstered headboard, while attractive, is less practical from a hygiene perspective. A wipeable surface would be preferable. Bathrooms The bathrooms were well equipped with quality toiletries (Arran, a luxury Scottish brand). The shower pressure was just about adequate, possibly because we were on the upper level. The rainfall shower was not especially intuitive to use. I defaulted to the handheld, which was adequate but unremarkable in terms of water pressure. Slightly disappointing. Storage and Layout Details Storage in the loft bedroom is somewhat limited. There is a wardrobe (and one on the lower level too), but for folded clothes, only surfaces and ledges are available. A little more provision here would improve longer stays. The bed is high, and there is no chair in the loft area, which would have been useful. Space constraints likely explain this, but it is worth noting and considering a safe workaround. Conclusion What this hotel does well far outweighs what it needs to improve. The apartment, location and overall standard of service are all strong. The kitchen alone sets it apart. The issues are relatively minor and fixable: breakfast logistics, small design refinements and a few practical details. It delivers genuine, practical luxury—thought through, well executed, and all the more impressive for not trying too hard. AB

less

“Almost a Great Stay”

We stayed as a couple for 4 nights at this property and I will break everything down to the good and the bad . Good - Location. Super Convenient . Size of room - Huge . Asked for a quiet room and got it . Bad- The breakfast . Good lord you can't serve a bowl of cubed apples and pineapples and call… more

We stayed as a couple for 4 nights at this property and I will break everything down to the good and the bad . Good - Location. Super Convenient . Size of room - Huge . Asked for a quiet room and got it . Bad- The breakfast . Good lord you can't serve a bowl of cubed apples and pineapples and call it a fruit salad in a 5 star property . That's like something you'd get from a school canteen . I did get TWO blueberries one day . I had to buy my own fruits from M&S . Asked for Olive oil and was told they didn't have any ( am lactose intolerant/ dairy intolerant ) so had to buy that as well . The breakfast selection was very limited . The WTH - No turn down services , No proper amenities kit such as cotton buds/pads . Things never get replaced ( like tissues ) even though I was leaving housekeeping 5 pounds tip every morning . Our room needs updating . There was a photo missing on the wall and you could see the screws and the hanger that were supposed to secure it . Is this a 400 pounds / night kind of room ? No . The gym is not in the main building so if you are staying in the main building you actually have to go outdoor to get into the gym which is very odd . We paid 1,589 for 4 nights for a studio room . Would I come back . To Edinburgh -YES definitely . Such a magical city . Would I come back to Old Town Chambers . Probably not .

less