Edinburgh has a weird way of hiding its best secrets right in plain sight. You can walk down the Royal Mile a thousand times, dodging selfie sticks and bagpipe buskers, and never notice the tiny opening of Advocate’s Close. But if you duck through that narrow stone gap, the noise of the city just… vanishes. This is where you find Old Town Chambers Edinburgh UK, a place that honestly feels more like a time-travel experiment than a standard holiday rental.
It’s not just a hotel. It’s a massive, sprawling collection of 82 luxury apartments tucked inside buildings that have been standing since the 15th century. You’ve got medieval stone walls meeting floor-to-ceiling glass, which sounds like an architectural disaster on paper, but in reality? It’s stunning.
What Actually Is Old Town Chambers Edinburgh UK?
Most people arrive in Edinburgh and book a room at a big-chain hotel because it’s safe. They end up in a beige box with a view of a parking lot. Staying at Old Town Chambers Edinburgh UK is the exact opposite of that.
Basically, the developers (the Chris Stewart Group) took a cluster of derelict buildings and historic "closes" and gutted them. They kept the bones—the jagged stone, the ancient timber beams, the sloping roofs—and shoved high-end, Scandinavian-style minimalism inside. It’s now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, but it doesn't feel corporate.
The layout is a bit of a maze. Because it’s built into the side of a steep hill, you might enter on one level and find your room three flights of stairs down, yet still have a view of the Princes Street Gardens below. It’s peak Edinburgh.
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The Apartment Breakdown
You aren't just getting a bed and a kettle here. These are full-blown residences.
- Studios: Great for a weekend, though some people find the 27-square-meter ones a bit tight if they’re staying a week.
- The Penthouses: These are the ones you see on Instagram. We're talking wrap-around terraces and views of the Scott Monument that’ll make you want to never leave.
- The 15th-Century Townhouse: This is the crown jewel. It’s a standalone two-bedroom house within the complex. It has a freestanding silver bathtub. Honestly, if you’re trying to impress someone, this is the move.
The Location "Cheat Code"
Location is usually a trade-off. You either stay in the thick of it and never sleep because of the noise, or you stay in the suburbs and spend a fortune on Ubers.
Old Town Chambers Edinburgh UK somehow cheats the system. It is literally 300 meters from St Giles' Cathedral and a five-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle. Yet, because most of the apartments are tucked down Advocate’s Close or Roxburgh’s Court, the stone walls act like giant noise-canceling headphones.
You’re also right next to Waverley Station. If you’re coming in by train from London or Glasgow, you can be at the check-in desk within seven minutes of stepping off the platform. Just a heads-up: it’s an uphill walk. Edinburgh is essentially one giant staircase, so leave the heavy rolling suitcases at home if you can, or just accept that your calves are going to burn.
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Is It Actually Practical?
Let's talk about the "serviced" part of serviced apartments.
Often, these places feel lonely. You miss the hotel bar or the front desk help. Here, you get a 24-hour reception and a gym that’s actually decent (not just a broken treadmill in a basement).
Food and Drink
There’s an on-site restaurant called Luckenbooths. It’s pretty good for a Scottish breakfast or a cocktail on their Royal Mile terrace. But honestly? You’re in the food capital of Scotland.
- Walk two minutes to The Devil’s Advocate (it’s practically in the same alleyway) for a massive whisky selection.
- Head to Makars Gourmet Mash Bar for what is arguably the best bangers and mash in the country.
- Use the kitchen. Every apartment has a full kitchen with integrated appliances. If you’re tired of eating out, you can hit the local Marks & Spencer and cook a steak in your 500-year-old room.
The Reality Check: What Most People Get Wrong
People often assume "luxury" means "flawless," but this is an old building in a rainy city.
Sometimes the water pressure in the older sections can be a bit moody. Sometimes the Wi-Fi struggles with the three-foot-thick stone walls. And yes, because you're in the city center, you might hear the occasional 6:00 AM street sweeper or a late-night reveler who’s had one too many drams of Highland Park.
Also, accessibility is a mixed bag. Some units have elevators; others require you to climb narrow, winding stone stairs that were designed for people in the 1600s. If you have mobility issues, you must tell them when booking so they put you in the newer, accessible wing.
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Why It Still Matters in 2026
In a world where every city is starting to look the same, Old Town Chambers Edinburgh UK feels like it actually belongs to its location. It doesn't try to hide the grit of the Old Town; it celebrates it. It’s the difference between watching a documentary about Scotland and actually living inside the B-roll.
It’s expensive. No way around that. You can easily drop £400–£600 a night depending on the season (August during the Fringe is a whole different beast). But for the space and the fact that you’re staying in a UNESCO World Heritage site, the value is there.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
- Book the right side: Ask for an apartment with a view of the New Town and the Firth of Forth. The "City View" rooms are the ones that give you that "wow" moment every time you open the curtains.
- Skip the car: Do not try to drive here. Parking in the Old Town is a nightmare sent from the deepest pits of hell. Use the tram from the airport or the train to Waverley.
- Check the "Close": Spend ten minutes just reading the history plaques in Advocate’s Close. It was named after Sir James Stewart, a Lord Advocate who lived there in the late 1600s. The history is literally etched into the walls.
- Grocery Strategy: There is a Co-op and a Sainsbury's nearby for basics, but if you want the good stuff, walk 15 minutes to Valvona & Crolla for high-end Italian deli goods to enjoy in your apartment.
Staying here isn't just about a bed; it's about claiming a little piece of Edinburgh's timeline for yourself, even if it's just for a weekend. Just watch your head on those low doorways. People were shorter back then.