After checking out from Novotel York Centre, we hit the road for a four-hour drive up to Edinburgh. Well, slightly longer if you count the lunch stop at a service station along the way. Our home base for the next four nights? Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile, and let me tell you, the location alone made this booking worth every penny.
Why We Picked Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
The biggest selling point is the address. You’re smack in the historic Old Town, right on the famous Royal Mile itself. This street is buzzing with pubs, cafes, restaurants, and specialty shops. You’ll spot kilted buskers playing bagpipes and the odd living statue too.
A kilted bagpiper on the Royal Mile — as Edinburgh as it gets.
Here’s the clever bit though. The hotel sits on the quieter Canongate end, so you get all the charm minus the constant tourist crush. Win-win.
Walkable to Everything
- Edinburgh Castle – 15 minutes on foot
- The Scotch Whisky Experience – 15 minutes
- Victoria Street – 13 minutes
- National Museum of Scotland – 12 minutes
- St Giles’ Cathedral – 10 minutes
- Calton Hill – 9 minutes
- Holyrood Park – 8 minutes
- Palace of Holyroodhouse – 7 minutes
One thing I only clocked once we arrived: the Royal Mile is properly sloped. Walking towards the Castle is a noticeable uphill trek. If you’ve got dodgy knees, my tip is to grab a taxi or bus up to the Castle, then stroll back down. Much kinder on the joints.
Supermarket Heaven Nearby
I’m a sucker for poking around foreign supermarkets, so this delighted me. Three supermarkets sit along the same road, all within easy walking distance:
- Sainsbury’s at South Bridge – 8 minutes
- Tesco Express – another 2 minutes from Sainsbury’s
- LIDL on Nicolson Street – 4 minutes further
Perfect for stocking up on water, snacks, or ingredients if you fancy cooking in.
Parking Situation
No onsite carpark, so we left the car at Edinburgh Waverley Station, just a 2-minute walk away. It set us back £25 per day. Not cheap, but convenient.
The Building Has History
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile was built behind the retained façade of the Old Sailor’s Ark, originally a 1930s social club and hostel for sailors. The historic stone exterior is gorgeous, but step inside and it’s all sleek modern interior.
The bright, open lobby — a great spot to unwind between sightseeing stints.
The quieter reading lounge downstairs, with plush seating, shelves of books, and a botanical vibe.
The recreational area doubles as the breakfast space — foosball table included for good measure.
The lobby level has a chilled recreational space where you can read quietly, play foosball, or work on your laptop. Breakfast is served here too, but it’s an additional charge. Honestly, with so many cracking cafes on your doorstep, skip it.
Check-in was quick and fuss-free. We were in our room within minutes.
The studio room: compact, functional, and surprisingly well laid out.
Inside the Studio Room
We booked the Studio for 2 with a double bed (priced at around S$440/night after taxes via the Accor website), measuring 26sqm.
Bar table with stools doubles as a dining and workspace.
The complimentary tea and coffee tray.
Upper cabinets stocked with everything you need: bowls, plates, mugs, and utensils.
Bold wallpaper and a gold hook right at the entrance — small design details that add character.
Here’s what you get:
- Bathroom with shower and separate WC
- Fully equipped kitchenette with induction hob, microwave, and even a dishwasher
- Large fridge (though ours didn’t chill drinks particularly well)
- Coffee and tea making facilities
- Bar table with stools, plus a separate writing desk
- Full-length mirror, good-sized TV, safe, iron and ironing board
- Hair dryer provided
- Loads of storage, hanging space, and wall hooks for jackets
If you love cooking your own meals or you’re here for a long stay, this setup is brilliant. Much cheaper than eating out every day.
The view from the bed — everything within easy reach without feeling cramped.
The courtyard view from our room. No skyline drama, but peace and quiet were guaranteed.
The Bed and the Room Vibe
We got a courtyard-facing room, so no killer view, but peace and quiet were guaranteed. The mattress is firm and supportive. Soundproofing is excellent – I could barely hear anything from outside.
WiFi was complimentary, stable, and no drama.
One Niggle: The Aircon
The aircon goes down to 20°C on paper, but it never quite felt that cool. The room stayed warm enough that we didn’t even need the duvet to sleep. For a Singaporean used to icy hotel rooms, this was a bit of a letdown.
Clean, well-lit bathroom with a glass shower and that backlit round mirror.
The separate WC — a small but appreciated touch in a 26sqm studio.
Bathroom Basics
You get handwash and a 2-in-1 shampoo/body gel. That’s it. Pack your own toothbrush, toothpaste, shower cap, and anything else you might need.
The Cons You Should Know About
Being an aparthotel, there’s no daily housekeeping for short stays. That means:
- You empty your own bin when it’s full
- Fresh towels and toilet paper need to be requested from the front desk
Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing before you book.
Final Verdict on Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile
The stay was comfortable from start to finish. Staff were friendly, the room was clean and well-kept, even if the decor is more functional than fancy. The location is the absolute winning factor – you cannot beat being right on the Royal Mile.
That said, at this price point, I’d personally prefer stronger aircon and daily housekeeping for maximum comfort. So weigh up what matters to you. If location and a proper kitchen top your list, you’ll be very happy here.
Aparthotel Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile: Essential Info
- Address: 231 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BJ, United Kingdom
- Phone: +44 131 322 8299
- Website
- Check-in: From 3:00 PM
- Check-out: Until 11:00 AM
Note: Please verify all details directly with the hotel before your visit as information may change.