Name: Apex Grassmarket Hotel
Address: 31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, Edinburgh, Scotland, GB
Price range: US$216–US$987 per night
Rating: 8.65

What guests think

Apex Grassmarket Hotel stands out for its central Grassmarket location with sweeping Edinburgh Castle views, friendly staff, and useful extras like a pool and sauna and on-site dining, making it convenient for sightseeing, eating, and getting around on foot.

Many guests praise hearty breakfasts and efficient check-in, with several noting comfortable rooms and memorable castle-view balconies. Common drawbacks include no air conditioning, warm rooms that require fans, and street or car-park noise, especially at night and during busy periods. Cleanliness and maintenance are generally fine but inconsistent, with reports of tired decor, stained carpets, damaged bathroom tiles, and dirty exterior windows. Expect a lively, walkable base with great views, but plan for potential heat and noise.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Guests appreciate the pool and sauna, on-site restaurant/bar, and refillable water stations. Limited on-site parking carries a fee, some areas feel worn, access involves stairs, and the small pool and bar service can be underwhelming.

Related guest reviews

10

Anne

17 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Excellent location. Having a pool was a nice bonus.

8

William

2 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Perfect location. Short walk to the Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, many shops and eating locations. The staff were very knowledgeable and friendly. The breakfast was wonderful. The many steps in the restaurant, reception/front desk, and the pool/spa areas pose a serious accessibility challenge for people with mobility issues.

10

Sarah

2 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Terrific location in very scenic location with everything within walking distance. Great to have pool and sauna. I loved being in the pool looking at the castle! Helpful, friendly staff. Clean, comfortable room. Good night’s sleep. Thank you!

8

Shawna

22 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Very convenient location (incl own restaurant and several nearby), comfortable bed, clean. The staff was very friendly and professional. What I did not like was how hot the hallways and rooms were. There should have been air conditioning in a hotel of this price. A small fan does not help much. Also the ventilation in the pool area was not good either.

10

Tj

22 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The balcony with castle views is 100% worth upgrade. Only about 10-15 rooms seemingly have the view with a balcony. Staff was great. Hotel was clean. The water bottle refill station was huge. Great stay 10/10

10

Heather

15 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I had a lovely view (even though the window was dirty outside so I could not get some nice pics). Enjoyed the metal pool and the sauna after a long day of exploring. Would definitely stay here again.

10

Gina

19 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Stayed 4 nights. Great location. Enjoyed several meals in the restaurant.

8

Lee

5 Jan 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great location for grass market and old town. Lovely views of the castle. Rooms and bathrooms dated, reception area not the easiest to get too, with stairs.

10

Elaine

19 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Lovely hotel, staff excellent food good, only downside was 20.00 per day parking

8

Annette

24 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Swift check-in, but we didn’t feel any warmth from the hotel. The bar wasn't comfortable and due to limited staff was quite messy with lots of glasses needing clearing. Room was comfortable, however we had disabled room which whilst was not particularly an issue, it felt as though these should be saved for those that need them. One thing we did both note though was it took a lot of strength to push the buttons to flush the toilet, something someone with limited mobility/strength would find difficult. We weren't blown away by it

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Cleanliness

Cleanliness is generally good, but reviews are mixed: multiple guests report stained carpets, moldy grout, damaged tiles, dirty exterior windows, and occasional maintenance issues alongside many mentions of tidy rooms.

Related guest reviews

8

Denise

27 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The staff was very friendly and held our bags for us prior to check in. The bed was comfortable and room clean. The location is excellent to walk everywhere with restaurants across the street. The only disappointment was to be placed on the first floor with road noise. We booked the hotel several months in advance. When asked for a higher level room I was advised that they were fully booked. Also the bathroom shower had mold in the grout that needs to be scrubbed as well as the shower floor.

10

Alexandra

15 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The rooms are very clean and the beds and pillows so comfortable. Staff really friendly. Brilliant location

6

Caroline

7 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Let’s start with the good: the hotel is at the heart of the Grassmarket which makes it the perfect location while visiting Edinburgh. Our room overlooked the old castle and the market square. Even if on the street, it was surprisingly quiet at night. The room was kept clean daily and beds were comfortable. Now the bad: hotel is run down: broken tiles and missing grout in the bathroom; no AC or temperature control with windows that do not open making the room smelly and stuffy. The whole curtain rod fell on me while opening it in the morning. Other than a boiler for instant coffee, there is no amenity in the room. The worst part remains in the lobby which is not accessible to anyone with mobility issue. The steps leading to the front desk are highly inconvenient with luggage and very dangerous - I fell down those stairs the first day there, straining an ankle and putting a damper on my 3-night stay in such a wonderful city.

4

Lisa

2 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Tired and in need of some TLC. Fabulous view of the castle, a shame the windows are filthy so you can't see it properly! There used to be a nice seating area and 2nd bar area by the lifts, its now just a storage area for junk as is the car park. I reported a leak in our room but noone was interested. I think this hotel gets by on it's location. We won't be back :(

2

Stefanie

5 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very disappointed with this hotel. Photos look better than the real room! Booked and upgraded to superior room for £50 more- total waste as I’d hoped to clearly see the castle! I could barely see it through filthy bedroom windows! Considering this was the selling point of the room, they should be cleaned! These windows also barely opened, there’s no air conditioning so the room was very hot! The bed was soo hard, probably one of the worst I’ve slept on which meant no sleep. The bathroom is dreadful!! Cracked floor tiles, mould and no ventilation!! Don’t book here

10

Marnie

21 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Clean, huge room, filtered water on every floor, very accommodating to store bags. Beautiful hotel that was very well maintained and in a perfect location for exploring Edinburgh.

10

carolyn

4 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The staff were courtesy and polite. The room was roomy and clean. The restaurant and breakfast service were outstanding.

4

Will

4 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Room was not very clean, also shower tray/tiles were badly damaged, sunk down when stood near the the drain. Tiles and grout had deteriorated and become sharpe underfoot. Reported to the hotel reception

6

Sarah

5 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I don’t think this is a 4 star hotel and I don’t get high review at all. The room was quite tired looking and the carpet badly stained. In addition, I didn’t sleep for the entire 2 nights stay. The room was noisy and we were facing a loading area, the noise started very early in the morning. Location is good and the staff is friendly.

4

charith

31 May 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

A very beaten down property overall that just felt very unhygienic. Bathroom was not clean with a dirty floor. Tiles were cracked and fungus was growing in multiple spots. The view was admittedly beautiful, but the windows also has some fungus / rotting situations and the curtains had quite a few stains as well. The bedding also seemed dirty with gross throw pillows and bedspreads as well that looked like they haven’t been washed since 2010. Service was consistently great, from front desk to bar but couldn’t make up for a horrible hard product. Definitely not worth the $350+ a night.

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Rooms

Rooms are often comfortable and some are spacious with standout Edinburgh Castle views and balconies. Downsides recur: no air conditioning leading to warm stays, street or car-park noise, dated furnishings, high/slippery shower-tub combos, and occasional low water pressure or awkward lighting.

Related guest reviews

8

William

18 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Only thing we didn't like was the shower was awkward to get in and out of as the tub was much taller than the floor.

8

Anita

30 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Really enjoyed our stay at Apex Grassmarket. Beautiful rooms, great breakfast and friendly staff. However, first time we stayed there in August and it was really noisy from the bar/smoking area? below and from the laundry crates early morning (we were at the back of the hotel). Some better double glazing would help or ear plugs in the room. The other times we’ve stayed there wasn’t the same issue but appreciate that it’s not the hotel’s fault extra noise due to the Fringe.

6

Tony

4 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The room was adequate, very noisy from the street, the lighting in the room was poor, the room felt tired along with the bathroom, The bedding was a poor fit and that is poor for a superior room, I feel it was overpriced for the quality of the room, bedding etc The staff were all friendly and helpful, check in was good, would we stay at Apex Grassmarket again No

8

Amy

4 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

No air conditioning Only fan

6

Samuel

12 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Conveniently located, friendly and welcoming staff. Room was a "superior" room but didn't feel like it matched that description. Not much room and fairly basic equipment (e.g. one of those hairdryers you have to constantly hold the button for it to stay on, a pretty basic fan/no air-con, small kettle). We were on the 5th (top) floor where the water pressure seemed to struggle meaning the shower and taps were not very effective. There is a pool at the hotel, but it's no more than about 8m² so not useful for doing any meaningful swimming. Didn't opt for breakfast there as it was on the pricey side (£19.50 / £17.50pp depending if you pre-booked or not) but there were plenty of good options within 5-10 min walk. Location was good for getting around and things to do.

6

Leroy

28 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 7 nights

Biggest problem with hotel is the bathroom. The shower area contains a tube that has about two feet tall sides. So not made for anyone that has any trouble lifting leg two feet in the air. Reported problem with room that did not get fixed during stay. Breakfast buffet need some help.

8

Jonathan

29 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Staff, location and facilities were superb. Bedroom was good size but bed was uncomfortable. Shower was quite low pressure. We were awoken each morning by an ungodly amount of noise from the car park below.

8

Jayesh

12 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

The property is right in the heart of the city with easy access to many attractions. The balcony room offers stunning views. The only negative is the lack of air conditioning in the rooms. We had trouble sleeping as the room was a bit too warm for us.

8

Robert

4 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The hotel is located in the heart of the city and is writhing close walking distance of most of the sights in the old city. Amazing views of the castle! Breakfast was so convenient and good. There is no air conditioning in the rooms but with a window cracked open and a supplied oscillating fan on the sill, we were very comfortable. Bed was comfy. Staff was always helpful with any questions or assistance needed.

10

Scott

18 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Amazing view of Edinburgh Castle. Great rooms and shower

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Service

Service is frequently described as friendly, professional, and accommodating, with helpful recommendations, baggage help, and swift problem resolution. A few guests mention inconsistent warmth or isolated rude encounters.

Related guest reviews

6

Dawn

17 May 2025

·

Stayed 8 nights

I have stayed there 2 years in a row. The last time, the staff was extremely RUDE and treated us like second class citizens. I will not stay at this property next year!

10

Daniel

20 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The check in was a breeze. Alistair was very helpful in his recommendations.

10

nuala

13 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

The room was perfect the location couldn’t have been better and the front desk staff were amazing

10

Megan

1 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Fantastic stay at Apex Grassmarket. Anna was amazing at the front desk and made our stay special !

10

Patricia A

25 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Excellent customer service. Booked a cab, suggested a restaurant for dinner and held our luggage for us!

8

Michael

6 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

- Acknowledged any issues and service recovery was quick and met expectations. - Breakfast was great! - Staff, except for the guy that looks like a marvel hero with a thick eastern block accent -- he was rude. - Irian was very responsive, and we greatly appreciate his help. - Great location!

10

Deanne

8 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

I booked this hotel for a trip to Scotland with my adult children without knowing much about the area. Were we ever amazed to arrive and have Edinburgh castle across the way with a view of the castle from our window. Walkable to tons of shops and restaurants. Absolutely wonderful helpful staff. So friendly. Highly recommend this hotel!

8

Amandeep Kaur

6 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Top location, close to restaurants, shops, and attractions. Very nice that there are water stations at the hotel. Excellent breakfast and helpful staff. The woman who checked us in was not very helpful. We got a room facing the parking lot, and there was a lot of noise from people and cleaning staff rolling carts and suitcases. Expected a better room considering the high price.

8

Annette

24 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Swift check-in, but we didn’t feel any warmth from the hotel. The bar wasn't comfortable and due to limited staff was quite messy with lots of glasses needing clearing. Room was comfortable, however we had disabled room which whilst was not particularly an issue, it felt as though these should be saved for those that need them. One thing we did both note though was it took a lot of strength to push the buttons to flush the toilet, something someone with limited mobility/strength would find difficult. We weren't blown away by it

10

Mark

25 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

From check in to check out, the experience here is amazing. The staff, the breakfast, the castle views are above extraordinary. If you’re looking for a quiet sleep, consider a non-castle view room as the party on Grassmarket Square goes well past 1:00am, and the cleaning crews immediately start resetting the area for the day crowd.

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Location

Central Grassmarket/Old Town location steps from Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, restaurants, and transport; highly walkable with great views. The lively area can be noisy at night, and private vehicle drop-off or step-free access can be tricky.

Related guest reviews

8

Abebe

30 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Ideally located to explore the city’s attractions. Our room faced the castle and it was an amazing view, but the street below was noisy unless we closed the windows, which made the room hot. Lots of places to eat and drink nearby Very helpful staff Pool was good for the kids and sauna for the grown ups Breakfast was great and restaurant plus a nice bar plus outdoor area in the back to relax and drink Within walking distance of E Waverley station but taxi was under £10.

10

Sang

20 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location

10

Craig

12 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location

8

Cristina

5 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Beautiful rooms and bathrooms. There is a refillable water station on each floor which is very convenient. Location is great!

10

Tesse

9 May 2025

·

Stayed 6 nights

Hotel is very well maintained and location is wonderful. Historic Grassmarket square surrounded by pubs and restaurants. Easy walk to Royal Mile. Nice courtyard and pool.

10

Henry

11 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

Perfect location near pub dustrict & castle, Victoria St., Royal Mile etc. Can't beat the convenience

10

Pamela

21 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Wonderful stay in a perfect location.

10

Rachel

25 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

GREAT location. 5-20 mins walk to everything, and in such a convenient area next to pubs and shops on Victoria street. Staff were great, and the pool and breakfast were awesome. Highly highly recommend, if we ever get back to Edinburgh we’ll plan to stay here again.

8

Rayto

26 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The location is excellent—within walking distance to the Royal Mile and with easy access to restaurants and shops. However, there’s no designated area for private vehicles to stop and drop off luggage in front of the hotel (only for taxis). This wouldn’t be a problem if you’re arriving by taxi, bus, or train, but it’s inconvenient if you’re traveling with a rental car. Additionally, we had to carry our luggage up several flights of stairs before reaching the elevator, and there was no staff available to assist us—which I found quite disappointing.

10

Carole

26 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great location in central Old Town Edinburgh. It was easy to walk to many of the things we wanted to see.

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Dining

Breakfast is widely praised for quality and variety, and many enjoyed meals at the on-site restaurant. Some report mediocre items, limited dessert availability, slow or messy bar service, and prices that feel high.

Related guest reviews

10

barbara

20 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The hotel (and Apex City Center) are right on Grassmarket and in the middle of all you want to see. Take the stairway off Victoria Place and you are right at the Castle. It's a longer walk to Holyrood House and the Parliament but not bad. Many good restaurants right outside the door, any shopping you want. The hotel is modern, with a breakfast that beat anything we could find outside, and at a better price. No air conditioning, but the provided fans cooled the room sufficiently during the heat wave.

8

David

19 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location. Restaurant and bar poor. Simply went for desert. Half of the deserts on the menu were out. No suggestions made. Took forever to get our check. Definitely would not go back to the restaurant. Better options are close

10

Edward

20 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Did not have breakfast. Other meals were first class. Our room was clean and well equipped. A nice view and balcony but could not access balcony for safety reasons. All staff were fabulous

10

carolyn

4 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

The staff were courtesy and polite. The room was roomy and clean. The restaurant and breakfast service were outstanding.

10

Gina

19 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Stayed 4 nights. Great location. Enjoyed several meals in the restaurant.

10

Rachel

25 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

GREAT location. 5-20 mins walk to everything, and in such a convenient area next to pubs and shops on Victoria street. Staff were great, and the pool and breakfast were awesome. Highly highly recommend, if we ever get back to Edinburgh we’ll plan to stay here again.

8

Ron

4 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Great staff, excellent breakfast and dinner. Rooms do not have air conditioning, only a table fan. Windows open, but we experienced noise in the early hours of the morning with youths shouting and swearing out loud. A pity because the hotel overall was worth a stay.

8

Annalee

2 Nov 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

friendly attentive staff, good breakfast

8

Annette

24 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Swift check-in, but we didn’t feel any warmth from the hotel. The bar wasn't comfortable and due to limited staff was quite messy with lots of glasses needing clearing. Room was comfortable, however we had disabled room which whilst was not particularly an issue, it felt as though these should be saved for those that need them. One thing we did both note though was it took a lot of strength to push the buttons to flush the toilet, something someone with limited mobility/strength would find difficult. We weren't blown away by it

8

Alan

19 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The hotel was, at best, of limited accessibility. The breakfasts were mediocre.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Month	Average price
January	US$129
February	US$174
March	US$195
April	US$344
May	US$434
June	US$332
July	US$364
August	US$387
September	US$308
October	US$266
November	US$221
December	US$265

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6 $335	7 $330	8 $297	9 $348	10 $334	11 $881	12 $882
13 $304	14 $895	15 $895	16 $327	17 $882	18 $359	19 $882
20 $334	21 $321	22 $321	23 $882	24 $320	25 $349	26 $373
27 $299	28 $299	29 $915	30 $322

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $915	2 $357	3 $895
4 $295	5 $328	6 $295	7 $987	8 $322	9 $882	10 $895
11 $299	12 $282	13 $345	14 $987	15 $987	16 $322	17 $329
18 $216	19 $265	20 $276	21 $265	22 $915	23 $295	24 $322
25 $240	26 $249	27 $265	28 $265	29 $265	30 $295	31 $311

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Monthly average prices

About this property

Location

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What guests think

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