Although it is an easy walk from the station, through the park where once a moat surrounded the mound and Edinburgh Castle, we took a taxi waiting at the station and five pounds later were at The Knight Residence, a converted apartment block that delivers every comfort you want while away from home and more - like a range of paraben-free BeeKind bathroom amenities. This range by the well-known Gilchrist & Soames ticks all the boxes demanded for green credentials but also represents The Knight Residence commitment to maintaining a low carbon footprint. The welcome letter lists things we as guests can do to contribute and, if you want to recycle, the kitchen is geared for it with separate waste containers.
TripAdvisor reviews all compliment the cleanliness, spaciousness and friendliness of staff and they are right. Many mention strip bars in the vicinity which I believe is totally over stated. Based on what I read I expected to be staying in the equivalent of the Reeperbahn or Amsterdam's red light district. I saw three adult clubs in the same city block that also includes a fabulous Sainsbury's, open from 0700 until 1200 and a firm of architects.
What impressed me, using other my five-star hotel stays as a lens to assess our stay, was the provision of deep pile bathrobes, a generous "welcome pack" that included ground coffee and a French Press plunger, proper milk, butter, a range of cereals, sliced loaf of bread and, in true Scottish tradition, packs of shortbread.
The kitchen is fully equipped with a Smeg-brand wash/dry machine, a dish washer, iron, and ironing board. In creating these apartments the developers have thought carefully about what travellers need and have delivered: There is a high-powered hairdryer, already plugged in next to a mirror with a good light, there are lots of easy-to-reach plugs and flat-screen TVs in both sitting room and bedroom. The apartment offers a Bluetooth connection to the sound system so you can play your own music as well as a CD player which I couldn't get to work. Many TV channels, a DVD library and a selection of CD's are provided.
I especially liked the fast, free Wi-Fi but the one thing that impressed me the most, which I experienced when I stayed at The Ritz Carlton, Kuala Lumpur where personalised name cards were provided, was to see my name on the outside of the building and again on my apartment's door. It is a small thing to do but it makes a big difference to feeling welcome and to allowing people who visit you during your stay to find you without bothering the concierge or other guests.
Two drawbacks are that the apartments are not well soundproofed internally and I could hear my neighbours opening doors and that the water-pressure in the taps is so strong you drench yourself when washing your hands.
Our room, one-bedroomed apartment number five, overlooked the street but I was not aware of noise from the road.
While in Edinburgh enjoy The Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood House which is the Queen's residence. St Giles' Cathedral is spectacular and its blue roof and stained windows are worth a crick in the neck.
Rather than eat out, we took a picnic along for lunch in the beautiful park (the apartment even provides plastic crockery for this purpose) and found it very affordable, about 12 pounds for three grilled chicken and salad meals for two.)
The Knight Residence was ranked No. 9 globally and has the top spot in the UK in Expedia's 2013 Insider Select list of 650 hotels around the world, drawn up after study of half a million independent guest reviews. The list "recognises the very best hotels available in Expedia's global marketplace," the agency said.
"These properties have been identified by customers as consistently delivering superior services, an exceptional guest experience and notable value." Last year it was voted Scotland's best employer in the hospitality industry and it is the seventh year in succession that it has featured in the Expedia Insider Select list.
For more information go to http://www.theknightresidence.co.uk/.
