Immaculate New Town Georgian Studio Apartment
Superb location situated diagonally opposite the National Portrait Gallery.
Location, location, location. Situated in the Edinburgh New Town on the corner of Dublin Street and Queen Street, this superbly located studio apartment is a compact, well-designed and traditionally paneled space. Completely refurbished in early 2010 into what is now a really cosy and intimate space. It’s fun to be here with its king-size Murphy bed, ultra modern shower-room and magically disappearing kitchen. The apartment is the perfect location for a couple to stay and explore the city centre as everything in central Edinburgh is within walking distance. For the keen fashion shopper, Harvey Nichols, Louis Vuitton, etc are just off St Andrews Square in Multrees Walk (www.the-walk.co.uk) and Jenner’s, Edinburgh’s renowned department store is to the south of the Square.
Dublin Street is located in Edinburgh’s New Town, which is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Georgian Architecture and planning in the world. Eponymous with the first four British Monarchs of the House of Hanover (1714-1830) Georgian architecture is characterized by its proportion and balance and the regularity of the property facades. The New Town was built to solve the problem of an increasingly crowded Old Town. James Craig’s competition winning plan (1766) to design the New Town created a rigid, ordered grid, which fitted well with the ‘Enlightenment’ ideas of rationality.
The principal street was to be George Street, which follows the natural ridge to the north of the Old Town. Either side of it, are the other key thoroughfares of Princes Street and Queen Street. Princes Street has since become the main shopping street in Edinburgh and is a short walk from the apartment. Linking these streets, a series of perpendicular streets were built and at the east and west ends are St Andrews and Charlotte Square respectively. As the New Town was so successful, it was extended greatly but the grid pattern was not maintained and a rather more picturesque layout was created which included Dublin Street to the north of St Andrews Square. From the doorstep of the apartment there are superb views across the New Town towards Drummond Place, the Firth of Forth and Fife beyond.
Accommodation (back to top)
The entrance to the apartment is up the steps on the right in the photograph below. The two west facing floor to ceiling windows on the left are the kitchen and bedroom/living room.
In the first room, hidden behind sections of paneling on your right you’ll find an entire modern, compact and extremely well-equipped kitchen miraculously concealed. Deceptively large, the depth of the granite worktop creates a spacious work surface for preparing meals (2.0mx 0.85m). Built-in energy efficient appliances include a dishwasher, combination electric and microwave oven, electric induction hob, integrated fridge and extractor fan. Ample crockery, cafetieres, cutlery, glasses, pots and pans, kettle and toaster are provided. There’s a table with a couple of chairs so you have the choice of eating in either room. The salvaged oak floors are laid throughout the flat and lead to the sitting / bedroom area.
The enormous windows in the west facing sitting room, allow the afternoon and early evening summer light to stream in and afford guests a fabulous view of the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street. The working wooden window shutters and heavy lined curtains help anyone with jetlag to sleep, they also close out the light in the long summer evenings and ensure that the apartment keeps warm and toasty during the darker winter months. The focal point of this spacious room is a black marble fireplace which is flanked on either side by extensive shelving and cupboards built into the paneling.
During the day this is a comfortable sitting room with sofa, table for two in the window, a couple of rattan chairs and even a rocking chair for you to relax in whilst you read one of the many books on offer. In the evening, there's no need to move any furniture around. All you need to do to go to bed is open the cupboard opposite the fireplace and out pops the really comfy king size Murphy bed.
There’s ample space to store your suitcases and hang your clothes in the walk-in cupboard to the rear, where you’ll also find the boiler and the integrated washing machine. There’s plenty of space for the iron and ironing board as well.
The shower-room is accessed from both the sitting room and kitchen area. It’s a spacious, bright shower-room with a combination of paneled and tiled walls. The extensive use of mirrors and mirrored cabinets further enhance the feeling of space. There’s a slate worktop with wash basin and mixer taps to the side and a stainless steel ladder style heated towel-rail.
Accessibility: The flat is described as the ground floor flat in 5 Dublin Street. Please note however that because of the steep slope on Dublin Street there are a number of steps to obtain access to the flat and therefore it would not be suitable for wheelchair use.
Outside: No immediate garden grounds, public gardens are available close by in St Andrews Square and Princes St Gardens.
Travel: Edinburgh is well connected with excellent communications by road, rail and air. (back to top)
Air: The airport is 9.4 miles away from 5 Dublin Street. The Airport Bus takes 25 minutes to Waverley Bridge (above the Waverley train station); it runs every 10 minutes (early morning services every 20 minutes) www.flybybus.com. If you prefer to you can go direct by taxi (www.airporttaxis-uk.co.uk/Edinburgh or links below for current rates)
Edinburgh airport continues to expand, as does its repertoire of routes. There are direct flights to the USA, Canada, Scandinavia, much of mainland Europe and many domestic destinations. It is served by many budget airlines including Ryanair, Easyjet, Jet2, Flybe, BMI baby, etc. as well as numerous scheduled airlines.
Train: Edinburgh has two stations, Waverley station is 0.3 miles (the main station) and Haymarket is 1.2 miles from Dublin Street. For train schedules and information about the cost benefits of advance bookings see: www.nationalrail.co.uk
Road
Taxi Hire:
www.citycabs.co.uk +44 131 228 1211
www.taxis-edinburgh.co.uk +44 131 229 2468
Bus: The main city bus station is one block away in St Andrews Square. Edinburgh has an excellent and affordable bus service network operating throughout the city. For bus routes and their timetables throughout the city follow this link see: www.lothianbuses.com .
Car: Parking is restricted to resident’s permits which unfortunately are not transferrable to visitors. Meter parking is available on Dublin Street however please note that differing charges apply between the upper and lower sections of the Street. For more information on city parking restrictions:
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/transport/CEC_parking
Car Club: There are car club parking bays close to the apartment on the lower section of Dublin St beneath Abercromby Place. If you are a member of the city car club, this can be much more cost effective than traditional car hire for your visit www.citycarclub.co.uk
Car Hire: International car hire companies: Eurocar, Avis, Hertz, Budge. Local: Arnold Clark
Changeover Day
Saturday is the preferred day for arrivals and departures. The accommodation will be available for occupation from 4 pm on the first day of the hire unless otherwise agreed. We endeavour to be flexible and accommodate guests as we appreciate you may be arriving early from international flights. When we are unable to provide an early access to the apartment, we will assist in housing your bags in the interim. Check out by 11.30am on last day of hire period.
Prices (back to top)
Dates (2010-11) |
City Break (1-3 nights) |
Weekly |
January 5th to February 28th |
£280 |
£350 |
March 1st to July 30th |
£352 |
£440 |
July 31st to September 3rd |
n/a |
£610 |
September 4th to October 29th |
£352 |
£440 |
October 30th to December 18th |
£280 |
£350 |
December 18th to January 4th |
n/a |
£610 |
Please note that stays of 4 to 6 nights will be charged on a pro-rata basis between the city break and the weekly rate.
The apartment has electric central heating and prices include council tax, reasonable use of electricity, linen and towels. Cleaning and linen changes are undertaken weekly. Shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc are provided along with a selection of books, games, etc.
Welcome pack: basic staples such as tea, coffee, milk etc and breakfast materials are provided for your first night's stay.
Communication: Pay as you go mobile phone can be hired on request (advance notice and deposit required). Wifi and use of a computer is also included.
Please note that smoking and pets are not permitted in the apartment.
Download the forms here and send back to us via email.
Things to do & see (back to top)
Food and drink: Edinburgh has an amazing selection of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops to accommodate all tastes and budgets (www.list.co.uk/places/restaurant). Whilst being home to many of the chains, part of Edinburgh’s charm is the strength, quality and diversity within the independent sector. Located in the east section of the New Town, the apartment is close to all the restaurants, shops, cafés pubs and award winning bars of Broughton Street. There are many specialist food shops, such as Real Foods for the healthy option, Crombies butchers (www.sausages.co.uk), and Something Fishy, a renowned fishmonger. If you are eating out, you’re spoilt for choice heading east to Broughton Street with its village-like atmosphere or west into the core of the city around George, Hanover and Thistle Streets which are definitely worth exploring further.
Eating out: The cosmopolitan Broughton Street has a range of fashionable bars, restaurants and nightclubs and has become really popular since The Basement and The Outhouse were both listed in GQ’s top 50 bars in Britain. It’s also home to Mather’s, The Cask and Barrel and the Barony which are amongst the best of Edinburgh's more traditional bars.
For food, a sample include Urban Angel (fabulous food with a conscience), www.urban-angel.co.uk, Olive Branch (relaxed & informal) www.theolivebranchscotland.co.uk, The basement (eclectic & lively) www.thebasement.org.uk, The Smoke Stack (unpretentious quality char-grill) www.smokestack.org.uk, Siam Thani (Thai) www.siamthanirestaurant.co.uk, Haldanes (elegant & intimate) www.haldanesrestaurant.com.
Closer to the apartment on Dublin Street are Stac Polly (‘The Scottish Restaurant’) www.stacpolly.com and The Magnum for a drink and food www.tipped.co.uk/listings/27050/the-magnum. In and around George Street you’ll find Dusit (Thai) www.dusit.co.uk, Fishers (fish) www.fishersbistros.co.uk , Café Marlayne (French) www.cafemarlayne.com and for a fun gastro-pub type evening head to The Dogs! www.thedogsonline.co.uk
Activities:
Golf: www.edinburghguide.com/sport/golf
Skiing: www.edinburghguide.com/edinburghguidebook/sport/skiscotlandguide
Coast/Beach: www.edinburgh.org/beaches
Bus Tours: Compare the various options on: www.stuckonscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/bus-tour-comparison.html
Tours: This link gives you lots of ideas: www.stuckonscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/day-trips
Thinking of planning a wedding in Edinburgh? Civil Ceremonies: Victoria St, 2 India Buildings; General information on how to go about it:
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/City_Living/Life_events/Marriages/CEC_marrying_in_edinburgh
Tracing your family tree and their home? Find out more at www.ancestralscotland.com ; National Archive Scotland www.nas.gov.uk ; General Register for Scotland Office www.gro-scotland.gov.uk; The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical monuments of Scotland. www.rcahms.gov.uk
Festivals & Culture:
Festivals: Best known for the International Festival held annually in August, Edinburgh’s spoilt for choice with a range of Festivals held throughout the year www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk
Historic Scotland: Free entry to Edinburgh Castle and over 70 attractions throughout Scotland if you join, cost effective if you are planning to visit a few historic sites. www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/member
National Trust: Free entry to over 300 attractions throughout Britain if you join www.nts.org.uk
Edinburgh Theatres: www.fctt.org.uk (King’s & Festival); www.lyceum.org.uk (Lyceum) www.rsno.org.uk (Usher Hall)
National Galleries of Scotland: www.nationalgalleries.org
Museum of Scotland: www.nms.ac.uk
Royal Yacht Britannia: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
The Royal Mile: www.theroyalmile.org.uk
The Palace of Holyroodhouse: www.royalcollection.org.uk
St Giles Cathedral: www.stgiles.net
Dynamic Earth: www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Films: www.edinburghguide.com/film
Royal Botanic Garden (Edinburgh): www.rbge.org.uk
Edinburgh Zoo: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk
For all your day to day needs: (back to top)
Health: Doctors surgery, The Green Practice, India Place,
Stockbridge www.greenpractice-shc.co.uk
Chemist: Boots in St James Centre and on Princes Street
Money: ATMs found on St Andrews Square and along George Street; American Express (corner of Frederick Street & George Street.)
Post office: St James Centre and Frederick Street
Independent Grocers: Various along Broughton Street
Supermarkets: Sainsbury’s in St Andrews Square, Tesco at Canonmills. Supermarkets offer online shopping and will deliver, so to save time you can do your shopping before you arrive if you like. Just book a delivery slot for when it suits you. www.sainsburys.co.uk ; www.waitrose.com ; www.tesco.com
Laundrette: www.city-visitor.com/edinburgh/laundries
Hairdressers; beauticians; spas, etc: www.city-visitor.com/edinburgh/hairdressers.html
Useful links: (back to top)
www.eventsedinburgh.org.uk
www.list.co.uk
www.whatson-scotland.co.uk
www.edinburgh.org
www.edinburgh.gov.uk
www.youredinburgh.info
www.activity-scotland.org.uk
www.theoracle.co.uk
