GRASSMARKET HOTEL, Edinburgh

The hotel sits on the corner of Grassmarket and Victoria Street (Diagon Alley inspiration), placing you in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Most major attractions are within a 10-minute walk: Edinburgh Castle (5 min), Royal Mile (2 min), Princes Street (10 min), and Waverley Station (10-15 min uphill). The area is packed with pubs, independent shops, and restaurants, making it lively day and night. For airport transfer, a taxi/uber costs £20-30 (20-30 min) or take Airlink 100 bus to Princes Street and walk. Edinburgh is very walkable, but note the city is hilly. Parking is not available on site; the recommended car park is a 15-20 minute walk away.

The 42 rooms are spread over five floors in a historic building. Room sizes vary: Cosy Single (6m2), Snug Double (7.5m2), Comfy Twin (11m2), Comfy Triple (20m2), and Comfy Quad (25m2). All rooms feature free WiFi, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, Bluetooth speaker, fridge, tea/coffee, safe, hairdryer, and Arran toiletries. Some rooms have wall-sized magnetic maps and larger TVs. The building's character means no two rooms are identical; some are accessed via stairs only. The elevator serves parts of the hotel - Snug Double rooms and some other rooms require stairs. Quad rooms can be made elevator-accessible if requested at booking. Rooms above the pub can be noisy until 1am; rooms at the back or higher floors tend to be quieter. Windows in some rooms are painted shut; fans are provided. Bathrooms have glass doors (partial privacy) and rainfall showers; no bathtubs. Bed comfort is generally rated high, but some single and double rooms are described as very compact.

Breakfast runs from 08:00 to 11:30 daily and costs £10 per person. It includes unlimited continental items (breads, pastries, cereals, fruit, juice) plus bottomless coffee, and one choice from the hot menu (e.g., full Scottish, eggs). Pre-booking the day before is required for the continental buffet. Early departures can request a breakfast bag if arranged the night before. Breakfast can be slow during busy periods; alternatives include nearby cafés (Hula Juice Bar, Zaza's Coffee House) within a 3-minute walk. Biddy Mulligans also serves lunch and dinner with a 10% discount for hotel guests, offering pub classics, live sport, and live music. Vegan breakfast options are limited; check the pub menu.

WiFi is free throughout the property. The 24-hour front desk can assist with taxi bookings, local recommendations, and luggage storage (free before check-in and after checkout). Daily housekeeping is provided; some stays report inconsistent servicing. Laundry and ironing are available for an additional charge. Safety deposit boxes are free in rooms. Air conditioning and heating are in all rooms. The hotel is non-smoking and offers allergy-free rooms on request. Family rooms are available; cots can be provided for children up to age 3. The property has CCTV and key-card access. Check-in is from 15:00 (early access at 14:00 for £10), check-out until 11:00 (late check-out extra hour £10). No restaurant on site, but the attached pub serves food. No spa, pool, or gym.