A self-catering stay in Edinburgh at 34A Abercromby Place

When I'm in Edinburgh I find the quiet grandeur of the Georgian streets of the New Town an ideal antidote to the hustle and bustle of the Old Town which can start to feel a bit claustrophobic and overwhelming after a while.

If I'm staying in the city, this is the location I prefer to base myself as it is still handy for the main tourist attractions but offers a more local and sedate feel.  When I was invited to review 34A Abercromby Street I was keen to check it out as it provides an authentic New Town experience being located in one of the beautiful Georgian terraces. 

The apartment is part of The Royal Scots Club which is just a couple of doors along.  Founded in 1919 as a tribute to those who fell in The Great War, it also has 27 luxury en-suite rooms in the main building which is run as both a private club and hotel.

Guests renting the apartment can book a table at the restaurant in the main building for a meal if you prefer not to self-cater.  Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions during my visit, it wasn't yet open for meals but it would be a nice treat if you fancy a night off from cooking.

I'm always looking for quality Scottish accommodation options that I can recommend to my readers and include in my itinerary planning services.  This is especially true for Edinburgh as it is such a popular city and I get asked for recommendations frequently.

It is also important to me that I have personal experience of the places I suggest and I'm really pleased to add 34A Abercromby Place to my list of top places to stay in Edinburgh. It is ideally situated for throwing yourself into everything Scotland's capital has to offer but provides an oasis of calm and luxury when you are ready to retreat from the crowds.  It really does offer the best of both worlds which I've often struggled to find in the city centre.

ACCOMMODATION

The apartment is located on the basement level but thanks to the large Georgian windows it still feels bright and every room also feels very spacious thanks to the generous proportions.  Another bonus for a basement dwelling is the outdoor seating area which has a table and chairs if you would rather savour the atmosphere of Edinburgh al fresco.

With 3 en-suite bedrooms, a sitting room and a small kitchen, there really is more than enough room to relax, even for a group, and super soundproofing allows you switch off in peace and quiet.  In fact, I felt it was a bit like having a whole hotel floor to yourself.

The plush furniture and carpets, along with quality fixture and fittings, really add a touch of richness and overall it oozes luxury which is befitting of its grand surroundings.  The tartan carpets and local artwork add a contemporary Scottish feel which is tastefully appropriate for an apartment in the capital city.

Although the kitchen is small in comparison to the other rooms, it is more than adequate for preparing meals with a cooker, fridge. dishwasher microwave, kettle, pod coffee machine and all the utensils and crockery required.

I cooked on both evenings of my stay as Covid restrictions made eating out a bit more challenging and I didn't find there was anything else I needed.  There is a dining table in the sitting room so you can enjoy a proper sit down meal.

On arrival, there was also a welcome pack left out including milk and bread, tea and coffee etc which was much appreciated as it meant I could get the kettle straight on for a cup of tea and put my feet up for a bit after a long journey.

If you do need to top up on any food or staples there is a small Tesco store just a 5 minute walk away on Dundas Street.

All 3 bedrooms are en-suite and very spacious with seating areas, a desk, plenty of storage, a TV and super comfy king size beds (which can also be set up as twins).  All of the bedrooms have walk in showers, although mine also had a bath and a patio area overlooking the back courtyard.

That is the privilege of reviewing accommodation, you get to pick the best room without any arguments!  I had a brilliant sleep both nights and despite staying in the heart of the city, I heard very little noise.

The only thing I would add is that parking at the apartment is by paid metres and they can be very costly.  You really don't need a car for Edinburgh as walking or buses will take you to all the main attractions and driving in the city centre can be challenging at the best of times. 

If like I did, you have no choice but to bring the car, ask reception about parking options in advance as I got some great tips which meant I was able to park close by for free all weekend.  The Royal Scots Club can also arrange discounted parking at a nearby multi-story car park but my top tip is to avoid bringing the car if you can.

QUEEN STREET GARDENS

If you stay at 34A Abercromby Place you will receive a key to access Queen Street Garden just across the road from the apartment.  This is a real perk as the gardens are private and can only be accessed by key holders which means they are never that busy.

Being able to enter such a lovely large green space on the doorstep was a highlight for me and I enjoyed a couple of quiet evening walks there.  It felt quite special as it is a bit of a hidden gem in the city and offers a slice of real Edinburgh away from the tourist attractions.

If I had been more prepared, I would have bought a picnic and happily passed a couple of hours chilling out on the lawn surrounded by pretty trees coated in spring blossom.

​It also means that if you are staying with your dog, you have access to a lovely grassy walk.

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

Of course, as lovely as the apartment and gardens are, you will no doubt want to check out some of the Edinburgh sights too and you don't have to wander very far to find some local gems.  You are also next to many of the major bus routes in the city if you want to travel a bit further.  I always recommend downloading the Traveline app to plan public transport journeys.

During my stay I visited the Scottish National Portrait Gallery which is only a 5 minute walk away, I also walked along the Water of Leith Walkway to Dean Village which took me about 30 minutes from the apartment and I spent a lovely morning at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh which is about 1 mile away.

I spent the rest of my time strolling around the surrounding streets which are brimming with independent galleries, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and pretty buildings.

Here are a few more of my local suggestions around the New Town -

• The Georgian House (15 min walk)
• Calton Hill (20 min walk)
• Scott Monument (10 min walk)
• Scottish National Gallery (10 min walk)

I can also recommend the Edinburgh hop on hop off bus if you want to take the strain out of climbing up and down the hills of the city.

If you want to explore the Old Town, you can walk there in about 20 minutes.

​BOOK YOUR STAY

Based on my personal experience, I can highly recommend 34A Abercromby Place for an upmarket self-catering break in Edinburgh and as a really lovely location for basing yourself in the city.  Head over to their website to find out more and book your stay.

​Disclaimer - As stated, I was invited to stay at 34A Abercromby Place for the purposes of a review and my opinions are based on my own experience.  However, I always carry out additional independent research to ensure my own experience matches up with that of other guests.  This way I feel I can confidently recommend featured accommodation to my readers.

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