A modern four-star hotel on the Grassmarket, the wide cobbled square tucked directly beneath Edinburgh Castle. Many of the upper rooms look straight up at the castle rock, and the pubs and restaurants of the Grassmarket are quite literally on the doorstep.
Location & Setting
The Grassmarket sits in a natural amphitheatre below the south side of Edinburgh Castle, and the Apex occupies a prime spot on the square. Castle views from the front-facing and upper rooms are the headline draw – few Old Town hotels put the castle rock this squarely in the window. You are surrounded by some of the city’s best-known pubs and bars, with the Royal Mile a short climb up Victoria Street or the Playfair Steps, and the National Museum of Scotland, Greyfriars Kirkyard and George IV Bridge all within five to ten minutes on foot. The trade-off is nightlife noise: the Grassmarket is one of Edinburgh’s liveliest drinking areas at weekends.
Rooms & Facilities
Rooms are contemporary and well equipped, with the sought-after Castle-view rooms commanding a premium. Unlike most Old Town hotels, the Apex has a leisure club with a swimming pool, sauna and gym – a genuine rarity in this part of the city and a strong reason to choose it if you want to swim on a short break. There is a bar and restaurant on site, and the rooftop offers city and castle outlooks.
Who It Suits
A good fit for visitors who want castle views, on-site leisure facilities and the Old Town’s nightlife within stumbling distance. If you would rather have a pool without the Grassmarket weekend noise, compare the pool hotels over in the wider pool-hotel guide; for a quieter but still central boutique feel, The Inn On The Mile is worth a look.
Practical Tips
- Book a Castle-view room well ahead – they sell out first and cost more
- Ask for a higher or rear room at weekends if the Grassmarket’s bars might keep you up
- The pool and gym are a real bonus in the Old Town – pack swimwear
- Victoria Street and the Royal Mile are a short but steep walk uphill
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Apex Grassmarket Hotel have a swimming pool?
Yes – it has a leisure club with an indoor swimming pool, sauna and gym, which is unusual for a hotel in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
Can you see the castle from the rooms?
Many of the front-facing and upper rooms look directly up at Edinburgh Castle. These Castle-view rooms are the most popular and are priced higher, so book early.
