Edinburgh is notoriously in the grip of a perpetual short-term accommodation crisis, one that’s only gotten worse since stringent new licensing controls were brought in in 2022. Aparthotel Native offers one alternative to dropping a bomb on a random Airbnb, with its cavernous warren of serviced luxury apartments that are sort of halfway between an upmarket rental and a boutique hotel. The studios aren’t massive, but they’re bigger than most central Edinburgh hotel rooms at anything like the same price, and have an impressive array of en suite facilities: fridge, hobs, washing machine, all that good stuff. Starting at around £150 a night, it’s definitely not budget, but it’s really not bad for Edinburgh, and there are obvious savings to be made via in-room facilities. Counter, a classy bar that shapeshifts through the day to offer offers various city-appropriate activities (whiskey tasting et al) will help you feel right at home.
Neighbourhood
It’s located amongst the atmospheric Georgian buildings and leafy gardens of Edinburgh’s atmospheric New Town – a little walk from the castle but that’s not a bad thing by any means: a relaxed neighbourhood full of cool little bars and eateries.
Nearby
1. Princes Street Gardens: for the most charming urban park in all of Edinburgh.
2. Bramble Bar & Lounge: for an atmospheric ‘hidden’ cocktail lounge that you should find as it’s on you street.
3. Noto: for bold and brilliant American-Asian fusion cuisine.
Time Out tip
You can pretty much spend an entire day in Counter, which begins the day as a chilled out breakfast venue and can ended it in all manner of ways, from live jazz to upmarket cocktails.