The Enlightened

The Enlightened: City of Edinburgh

When your neighbour is Edinburgh Castle, you can be pretty certain that your home is in a prime spot in the city. Living right in the heart of the Old Town certainly has its perks, with Princes Street Gardens and the Grassmarket both less than ten minutes from your front door. But with such busy days on the horizon, you’ll also need somewhere to recline and relax.

This grand apartment is set on one of Edinburgh’s most esteemed addresses. Even the street name is soaked in culture and history – named after the Enlightenment poet, Allan Ramsay the Elder who built the first structure here in 1733. And as soon as you step inside, you can see how culture and creativity have transcended the centuries.

We love the opulent and elegant interiors, where a cream colour palette meets plush fabrics and faux furs. Of course there are still traditional features like four-poster beds, an iron fireplace, and sash windows with striking city skyline views, but there are some wonderful 21st-century additions. On chilly Scottish evenings, you’ll love padding along the underfloor heating of the bathroom on your way to fill up the tub. Don’t forget to take a tumbler of whisky in there while you soak, just for an extra layer of warmth.

Home truths:
*As this home allows for self check-in with a lockbox, you won't meet your host when you arrive
*There's a washing machine, but no tumble dryer
*Guests are kindly asked to keep noise to a minimum after 10:00 pm
*Your host provides a travel cot and high chair for free upon request, but please bring your own linen
*There's no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly spots like the dining table
*On-street parking is free overnight from 6:30 pm to 8:30 am from Monday to Saturday; on Saturday evening, it's free from 6:30 pm until 12:30 pm on Sunday; then it's free again from Sunday 6:30 pm to Monday 8:30 am (there are also multi-storey car parks within a short walking distance from the apartment)