Cheval Old Town Chambers Edinburgh

Cheval Old Town Chambers Edinburgh: A Michelin Key Selected Aparthotel of Distinction

Cheval Old Town Chambers Edinburgh, a Michelin Key selected property, consistently garners exceptional reviews for its blend of historic charm and contemporary luxury in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Praised for its prime location, spacious and well-appointed apartments, and outstanding service, it offers guests a "home away from home" experience with hotel-level amenities.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Cheval Old Town Chambers is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "Exceptional" and expressing a strong desire to return. Review scores consistently highlight high satisfaction across categories, including location (9.8), cleanliness (9.5), comfort (9.6), and staff performance (9.5). The sentiment is one of luxurious comfort, unparalleled convenience, and memorable stays.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise several aspects of Cheval Old Town Chambers:

• Location: Its situation directly on the Royal Mile, opposite St. Giles' Cathedral, is a major draw, offering easy walking access to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Princes Street, and countless shops and restaurants.
• Design & Amenities: The apartments beautifully blend traditional Scottish elements like exposed stone walls with modern, slick, and contemporary design, featuring high-end furnishings and fully-equipped kitchens. Amenities often include smart flat-screen TVs, luxury bathrooms with bathrobes and ARRAN Sense of Scotland products, refrigerators, coffee/tea makers, and complimentary bottled water. Many apartments also boast balconies with stunning city views. A 24-hour fitness center is available.
• Service: The staff is frequently described as incredibly helpful, professional, friendly, and accommodating, often going above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay.
• Spaciousness: Guests appreciate the generous size of the apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedroom penthouses and townhouses, providing ample space for relaxation and practicality.

3. Room Quality

The rooms and apartments at Cheval Old Town Chambers are consistently described as stunning, luxurious, modern, and exceptionally comfortable. They feature a unique blend of traditional Scottish aesthetics with contemporary design. Guests frequently mention comfortable beds, plush linens, and blackout curtains ensuring a restful night's sleep. The fully-equipped kitchens, complete with ovens, hobs, microwaves, dishwashers, fridges, and even washer-dryers in some units, contribute to a true "home from home" feeling. Luxury bathrooms with bath-showers and high-quality toiletries are also a highlight.

4. Dining Experience

While the apartments offer fully-equipped kitchens for self-catering, Cheval Old Town Chambers also features an on-site restaurant and bar called Luckenbooths. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with expertly crafted cocktails. Guests who have dined there have praised the food as "fabulous" and highlighted the quality of the Scottish breakfast. Many guests, however, opt to explore Edinburgh's extensive culinary scene due to the central location, so personal reviews of Luckenbooths are sometimes limited.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Cheval Old Town Chambers receives consistent high praise. Staff members are frequently noted for being exceptionally friendly, professional, efficient, helpful, and accommodating. Examples of outstanding service include staff going "above and beyond" and providing warm concierge service. Guests have reported receiving upgrades and complimentary refreshments while waiting for their rooms, further highlighting the attentive hospitality.

6. Location & Accessibility

The aparthotel boasts an exceptional location on Edinburgh's iconic Royal Mile, making it a highly desirable base for exploring the city. It is a short walk from major attractions such as Edinburgh Castle (5-minute walk), St. Giles' Cathedral (directly opposite), Holyrood Palace, and the National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh Waverley Station is also just a 2-minute walk away, providing excellent transport links. The central location ensures easy access to a wide selection of shops, restaurants, and bars. For attractions further afield, a hop-on hop-off bus tour stop is conveniently located nearby on Market Street.

7. Value & Pricing

Cheval Old Town Chambers is considered a luxury experience, reflected in its higher price point compared to average hotel rates in Edinburgh, with rooms averaging over $500. While acknowledged as notably higher, guests generally feel the immersive experience, exceptional service, spacious accommodations, and prime location justify the cost, offering distinguished and memorable lodging. Some deals can be found, with rates starting from around $135 in the low season (February being the cheapest month) and rising significantly in high season (July being the most expensive).

8. Common Complaints

While overall feedback is highly positive, a few recurring minor criticisms have been noted:

• Noise: Despite some rooms having soundproofed windows, some guests have reported noticeable street noise, particularly early morning cleaning with high-pressure water hoses, which can be disruptive.
• Layout and Accessibility: The apartments are spread across several historic buildings, and some units, particularly those not in the main building with reception, may require walking through a courtyard or down alleys. A few apartments are located in buildings without elevators, which can be a hassle for guests with mobility concerns, though the staff is noted to be helpful in these situations.
• Apartment Size/Layout Discrepancies: In rare instances, some guests have found smaller open-plan apartments to feel a bit cramped for longer stays or noted a lack of a dedicated eating area despite the website suggesting one for their apartment type.
• Odour: One guest reported a grease smell in the bathroom from the restaurant below.

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