A short walk from Grassmarket and Edinburgh Castle, A charming one-bed apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps 4. provides a playground, laundry facilities and more. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.
Reviews
8.48.4 out of 10
Very good
Popular amenities
Washing machine
Free Wi-Fi
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
A charming one-bed apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps 4.
Sit back and relax in The Portsburgh Square Residence. Tucked just behind the Grassmarket in the Old Town, this one-bedroom apartment enjoys an enviable location, but with all of the peace and quiet of an off-street setting.
The lovely and light living/kitchen area features a flatscreen TV and unlimited Wi-Fi. The kitchenette comes fully equipped with everything you need for a few days in Edinburgh, including a microwave and fridge. The cosy master bedroom offers a double bed and guest storage. A family bathroom with shower over bath completes this delightful home from home.
Please note we do not provide hypoallergenic bedding at our properties.
The Portsburgh Square Residence’s location is simply the best! Sitting on the edge of the Grassmarket and just a few minutes’ stroll from the Royal Mile, the local area is brimming with history and things to do. Whether you’d like to browse the varied boutiques on Cockburn Street or have a good old fashioned pub lunch while you gaze up at the Castle, this property has it all. The apartment itself is a grade C listed building, which occupies an ancient site within the World Heritage Trust area of Edinburgh's Old Town.
Princes Street is a mere 10 minute stroll away, and the Royal Mile is even closer. We guarantee that you’ll find intrigue galore on your doorstep - but if you’d like to venture further afield, Waverley train station is within easy walking distance and the area is well serviced by the extremely efficient Lothian Buses.
This property doesn't come with free parking but there is limited paid street parking in local area for an additional fee.
This property operates a key safe, so you can let yourself in to the property any time after 4pm. The key safe code will be issued before your arrival.
If you are arriving earlier than 16:00 on your day of arrival, it is always worth contacting the property manager as they will always endeavour to give you access as soon as possible.
The latest departure time is 11:00, however, a guaranteed later departure (up to 20:00) can be arranged for a fee of 50% of the daily rate for that day but please note this is subject to no existing booking arriving that day already.
A £200 refundable damage/security deposit is due 7 days before arrival, and refunded after departure.
All properties are strictly non-smoking, and do not accept hen/stag/party groups. At least one guest must be over 25 years old.
Please note Wi-Fi at this property is complimentary.
Please arrange your arrival with the property manager at least 24 hours before arrival.
Check in is from 4pm, and check out is before 11am.
Layout
A central hallway leads to an open plan living area and kitchen, double bedroom, and family bathroom.
Sleeping Arrangements
1 double bed. 1 double sofa bed.
*Please note that the sofa bed is intended to provide flexibility for sleeping arrangements, however, the maximum occupancy must not exceed 2. There is an additional fee for the provision of the sofa bed.
Exterior
This apartment forms part of a larger block of flats.
Getting there
Waverley train station: 1 mile Haymarket train station: 1 mile Edinburgh airport: 8 miles Edinburgh bus station: 1.5 mile
Edinburgh City Centre, a neighbourhood in Edinburgh, is home to this apartment. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Grassmarket and Princes Street. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Edinburgh International Conference Centre or Murrayfield Stadium. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like cycling. Visit our Edinburgh travel guide
Is A charming one-bed apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps 4. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at A charming one-bed apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps 4.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at A charming one-bed apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps 4.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at A charming one-bed apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps 4.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is A charming one-bed apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps 4. located?
Located in Edinburgh City Centre, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Grassmarket, Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle. University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh International Conference Centre are also within 15 minutes. Princes Street Tram Stop is 12 minutes by foot and St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 17 minutes.
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Reviews
A charming one-bed apartment in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Sleeps 4. Reviews
8.4
Very good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
Being in the Grassmarket area was a perfect area with a lot of shops and places to eat, along with the great views of the castle and being so close to it.
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This 1-bed is in the heart of Edinburgh below the castle. It is an older property, but all the appliances and fittings were newer and easy to use. There is a grocery (Sainsbury) about 100m away and you can look up to the castle from the door. We had a good time for about 10 days.
Stayed 12 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Deborah C.
22 June 2024
Liked: Communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Just short of adequate
The location was excellent and the management company was immediately responsive to our needs. The flat itself was a bit dirty and the beds were terrible. Do not try to use the sofa bed for a good night sleep or any sleep for that matter. The bathroom was in good shape. The hallway as you enter smelled like old cigarette smoke. A deep clean would help it to go a long way.
We stayed two weeks and this place is a great launching point for exploring the city. Pretty easy walk to the train station and the tram. Kitchen set up is good with a grocery store almost across the street. The management company was very responsive and communicative.
The only thing to be aware of is the fact that since the complex is right in the middle of everything, there are a couple downsides. First, there can be some noise from people on the street, especially Friday and Saturday nights. The flat is right next door to a pub, and you can get the smell of cigarettes when people are outside smoking.
Overall, we would highly recommend this place and would definitely stay there again. It was a wonderful location from which to explore Edinburgh!
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review
8/10 Good
Randi R.
27 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Great location
I stayed at Portsburgh Square residences for 2 weeks in August 2024 for the Fringe Festival. Overall I would say it is fine.
Good: Loved the fact that the bathroom had a tub as well as a shower. I'm a bath taker and find that many accommodations only have a shower stall. There was plenty of counter space for makeup, etc. and a nice little cabinet to store essentials. There was not enough toilet paper for a long stay but there is a Stansbury just up the street so I just bought more.
The bed was comfortable. The linens were clean and soft. The bedroom was small so you have to maneuver around it to get into the closet. The washing machine is in the bedroom closet. This is a washer ONLY, no drying setting. I worked around that by hanging the wet clothes in front of an open window and they dried in a day,
The kitchen was fine. I did not cook but heated up water for tea every day. I could not get the kettle to work so just boiled water in a pan. The small fridge kept things cold and made ice fine.
The location is very good - just past Grassmarket. Easy access to all of the main Fringe venues. Overall it was quiet enough. I only occasionally heard music coming from the pub next door and that was exclusively on weekend nights. This is a residential building and only 2 of the units are rented out. The neighbors were friendly enough when I encountered any. One man helped me locate my unit.
The apartment was clean. I did not need to communicate with the management company during my
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review
4/10 Poor
Elizabeth L.
26 Apr 2024
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Disappointing stay
This flat is in a great location and check in directions were excellent. The flat is dirty, dingy, and needs an overhaul. Armchairs with torn vinyl, fridge shelves held together with duct tape, no room to hang clothes in the wardrobe as it is stacked high with pillows, blankets etc. Good supply of large towels. Only two rolls of toilet paper for a six day stay, and when I queried this was told it also “our policy”. This policy was not in the listing when I booked. My biggest gripes are opening the drawer to get a teaspoon and finding it with brown tea stains. Getting a mug to make a cup of tea and finding it yellowed inside. The dish rack is rusted (as are parts of the coffee table) and has a white sort of limescale on it. I didn’t put my dishes there to dry. I had no central heating for five days. I reported it on the Saturday. I expected a reply when the office opened on Monday morning. I just had a heater in the living room only. No contact made until late Tuesday morning to tell me off about wanting more toilet paper but ignoring the heating. I queried this, and no answer again until the Wednesday the next day. They thought I had left. I don’t know why as I was booked in until the Friday and I never said I was leaving. They had someone there that evening who solved it all in ten minutes. I had given the office my my UK phone number but no one ever called. They gave my number to the plumber who called. I was freezing for days in 4-6C. Bad form all round. Caveat emptor.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review
6/10 Okay
Geoff
14 Sept 2026
Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Great location. I thought it was very cluttered. Mouldy jam in the cupboard, small bed, musty smell in bedroom. Not a repeat for me.
The hosts were helpful and welcoming. Amenities are ok. Furniture is old and could do with an upgrade. Location is very good. Close to Edinburgh Castle, pubs and restaurants.
The location, just around the corner from Grassmarket, was perfect for us! We could eat at a different establishment, close to "home" every night! We felt quite safe and snug in our place. Bed, bathroom, kitchen, sitting area --all lovely. We just could not figure out how to use the washing machine. You might include instructions for us foreigners. A Scot would have known I suspect. We didn't want to potentially make a mess. We hand washed things but it took forever to get laundry dry. We also could not figure out the TV. Our American sign-ons didn't work for anything (and we are on lots of services here). We could not even get BBC1,2 etc. to come up and I thought they are a free service. Luckily we were so exhausted at the end of the day from sightseeing that a good book put us out in 10 minutes. Still...a little help with the TV would go a long way. All in all, a great place I would stay again in a heartbeat! Thank you.
The flat was as pictured and was in a great location. Close to Grassmarket with pubs and restaurants nearby. Walking distance to most sights including The Edinburgh Castle, High Street, Holyrood and Princes Street.
Nice layout and well equipped.
If you are a women I would not stay here or if you want a good night sleep I would also not stay here. I had to call the cops because a man tried getting into peoples apartments. The bars are really close but that means all night you hear everyone screaming and yelling as they come home a little tipsy. Not to mention the walls are insanely thin you can hear everything.( Someone coughing or talking above and next to you.) I could barely get a hold of the apartment owners and they don’t work on the weekends.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Maxie
17 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This place is a gem! You are actually right below the Castle. It is on a busy street but you would really not know because the apartment is tucked inside a square with plants and flowers everywhere.
The apartment was perfect for the 2 of us. Not overly big but all you need kitchen, lounge and separate bedroom. Process of gaining access to apartment went smoothly. Lastly an excellent location for both Old Town and New Town Edinburgh. Would highly recommend.
We appreciated the flat though the online pictures made it appear bigger. It was comfortable and had everything we needed except a clothes dryer.
Location was great - just a few steps from Grassmarket. We grew quite comfortable with our “new” home and miss it now far, far across the pond
Stayed 13 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review
4/10 Poor
Hugh T.
13 Apr 2026
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Listing was for non-smoking flat. Clearly marijuana was smoked inside in the past, and cigarettes too. To try to mask this, plug-in and jar-style wick air fresheners were added but they were unbearable to the point it made us ill. We had to unplug the plug-ins, throw away the wicks, and wrap the jars in a towel. If not for the cancellation policy, we would have left for a hotel. Also, laundry was listed as available. The washer was tucked in a closet, behind cleaning supplies, and no instructions were available. We were unable to do laundry during our 7-day stay. The smell makes the room a smoking room and you can’t even do laundry to get the smell out of your clothes. Very unsatisfactory. Cleaning must be done by washing all walls, shampooing carpets, and washing all window coverings. Oh, and the bedroom and bathroom windows were painted shut, so ventilation was next to none. We were finally able to get the bathroom window open a couple inches. Would never recommend this room to non-smokers.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review
8/10 Good
Deborah
10 Aug 2025
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Apartment was well represented by the photos. Well equipped with solid instructions for entry and use of amenities, but could use some improvements, e.g. the duvet. mattress pad, pillow covers and blanket are all stained and I only noticed this as I was asked to strip the bed before leaving. Pillows are flat. Shower is a deep step into the tub with no hand rails for support. TV is a smart TV for you to connect to apps but it did have Samsung Plus which was recent reruns of shows, many from the US like American Idol and Americas Got Talent. A few inexpensive upgrades would make this an even better option.
Apartment is located in Old Town in the Grassmarket area with lots of restaurants and pubs. If you are ok with LOTS of stairs (180), it is a short walk to Edinburgh Castle. The Hop-on Hop-off bus has stops very close by. Overall I would say it was a good choice and would recommend.