One of Edinburgh’s finest streets, elegant in its simplicity
A luxury B&B, that's like a 'home from home' in this superb Georgian Drawing room apartment.
Staying here in this superb location you can forget taxis or buses, it is only minutes walk from the retail and commercial City Centre of Edinburgh. Located on Great King Street the apartment is only a five to ten -minute walk up the hill to Princes Street.
Great King Street is a wide residential street that was designed by Robert Reid in 1804 and completed about 15 years later. Elegant in its simplicity, it is one of the finest in Edinburgh's New Town. It was built in the later stages of the New Town's development when the original rigid grid pattern had evolved into a more picturesque layout. Great King Street has formal gardens at either end of its east-west axis. Number 80 is situated at the western end of the street close to Stockbridge and between the perpendicular streets of Dundas and Howe Street.
The section of Dundas Street between the intersection with Heriot Row and Great King Street is where the commercial art world congregates in Edinburgh. Art Galleries and Fine Art Dealers include: Anthony Woodd; Bourne Fine Art; Colours Gallery; Di Rollo; Hanover Fine Arts; Randolph Gallery and The Scottish Gallery. It is also popular with the Antique dealers and they include Adams, James Scott, The Red Room, The Thrie Estaits and Unicorn.
The concentration of the art world has led to some high-end retailers locating there too such as Belinda Robertson's cashmere, Freja dress designer, 'And so to bed' interiors and Bridgewater pottery. The option to take a break and have a latte in between 'browsing' can readily be satisfied by popping into Glass & Thompson, known locally as G&Ts. For additional food options in the locality see section below.
Accommodation (back to top)
Set within a listed (Category A) Georgian New Town former town-house (three windows in the middle of the photograph below); Jill has painstakingly renovated and remodeled this apartment returning it to its former glory. Even to the extent of reinstating the side panels of the fabulous tripartite window you see in the kitchen that had been blocked-in historically.
The wonderful spacious rooms have chandeliers hanging from their 16ft high ceilings with decorative moulded cornices, beautiful tall windows with working window shutters and salvaged oak floors. Reopening the space to link the kitchen and drawing room gives the apartment a contemporary feel, where, on its north-south axis the natural light just floods through. It's a calm and relaxing space to make yourself at home in, by relaxing into one of the enormous sofas to read your guidebook and the like in peace. Breakfast is served in the kitchen and you can also help yourself there to tea and coffee throughout your stay.
Breakfast is in the Kitchen area at the round oak table. The window overlooks many of the Mews properties, various gardens and the backs of the surrounding Georgian houses. Breakfast is a feast of fruit, yoghurts, fruit juices, cereals, freshly baked bread, toast, tea, fresh coffee, etc. followed by a traditional cooked breakfast. Please give Jill advance notice of any special dietary requirements or requests.
You have the choice of two double bedrooms, one with shower-room en-suite and the other with private bathroom (not en-suite).
Double bedroom to the rear of the apartment overlooks the gardens. The Double bed is 140cm (55 inches) wide. The room benefits from a walk-in shelved and hanging storage cupboard. The en suite shower-room also has a wash basin with mixer taps and wc.
The double room overlooking Great King St (photo above) has the separate bathroom and king-sized bed (160cm- 63"). The private bathroom, a few steps away, has a bath, shower mixer taps, wash basin with mixer taps and wc.
Accessibility: The apartment is on the first floor (in the UK this is one floor above ground level). Please note that there are no lifts 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 8.6 miles away from 80 Great King Street. The Airport Bus takes 25 minutes to Waverley Bridge (above the rail 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 (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 0.6 miles (the main station) and Haymarket is 1.0 miles from Great King 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: Edinburgh has an excellent and affordable bus service operating throughout the city. For bus routes and their timetables see: www.lothianbuses.com . The closest bus stops to number 80 are on Dundas Street for the 27 and 23 routes and on Howe Street for the 29, 24 and 42 routes.
Car: Parking is restricted to resident’s permits which unfortunately are not transferrable to visitors. Meter parking is available on nearby Cumberland Street, Northumberland Street and on Royal Circus. For more information on city parking restrictions:
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/internet/transport/CEC_parking
Car Club: There nearest car club parking bays are located on Dublin St. There are plans to install them on Dundas Street and 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
Arrivals
The accommodation will be available for occupation from 4 pm on the first day of your stay 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 earlier access to the room, we will assist in housing your bags in the interim. Check out by 11.00am on day of departure.
Prices (back to top)
Number of |
Low season |
Mid season |
High season Jun - Jul |
August Festivals Christmas Hogmanay & Major events Dec 13, 2009 - Jan 3, 2010 Aug 1 - Sep 5, 2010 |
2 or 3 |
£99 |
£109 |
£119 | £139 |
4,5 or 6 |
£89 |
£99 |
£109 | £129 |
7 or more |
£84 |
£94 |
£99 | £119 |
The quoted rates are per night, based on two sharing a double room and are fully inclusive of a cooked breakfast and all taxes. Single rates need deduct £20 per night, but the minimum rate will be £75 in low season. Single rates will not be available during the August Festivals, Hogmanay or for major sporting events such as Rugby International Weekends.
Payment: Travellers cheque, UK cheque cash or by online direct transfer in advance.
Communication: Pay as you go mobile phone can be hired on request (deposit required). Free Wifi available and use of a computer is also included. Please note that there are no televisions in the apartment.
Please note that smoking and pets are not permitted and that the apartment is not suitable for children.
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 western edge of the New Town, the B&B is close to all the restaurants, shops, cafés pubs and bars of both Stockbridge and Broughton Street. (link to 33 St Bernard’s Crescent & 5 Dublin Street for more information on these areas).
Eating out: If you’d prefer to eat as close as possible to Great King Street, then immediately,on the doorstep on and around Howe Street, you can choose from A Room in the Town ( High quality affordable Scottish produce BYOB option) www.aroomin.co.uk ; Ruan Sian, (Award winning thai ) www.ruanthai.co.uk ; Iglu, ( bar & restaurant food at forefront of ethical sourcing) www.theiglu.com and The Standard (sports bar with food) www.thestandardbar.co.uk . Lunchtime also offer the additional choice of Appetite ( deli to eat-in or take out) www.appetitedirect.com/kitchen
Further up the hill into the core of the city towards George Street you’ll find a wide selection in and around Thistle Street (www.thistlest.com); They include: Le Bon Vivant (sophisticated food at reasonable prices) www.list.co.uk/place/103207-the-bon-vivant/, Iris (European menu) www.irisedinburgh.co.uk ; Dusit (Thai) www.dusit.co.uk ; Fishers (fish) www.fishersbistros.co.uk ; Café Marlayne (French) www.cafemarlayne.com and Cafe St Honore (fine dining ) www.cafesthonore.com. Moving east onto Hanover Street you can choose from Hendersons (pioneering Vegetarian restaurant) www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk; Urban Angel (fabulous food with a conscience), www.urban-angel.co.uk, and for a fun gastro-pub type evening head to The Dogs and discover all it has to offer! www.thedogsonline.co.uk
For a quiet drink close by in the evening then any of these three would be a good choice or pop down the hill to St Stephen Street where there are several more to choose from. Cumberland Bar (www.cumberlandbar.co.uk) ; St Vincent,( www.bestpubs.co.uk/layout0.asp?pub=106160) and Kays Bar ( www.bestpubs.co.uk/layout0.asp?pub=105998)
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_edinbur
Tracing your family tree and their home? Find out more on 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 Blue Practice, India Place, Stockbridge http://www.bluepractice.co.uk/
Chemist: Boots on Princes St, Lindsay & Gilmour, India Place, Stockbridge & Lloyds Parmacy Deanhaugh St
Money: ATMs found on North West Circus Place, George Street or within Margiotta on Northumberland Street; American Express (corner of Frederick Street & George Street.)
Post office: Frederick Street
Independent Grocers: Margiotta on Northumberland Street, Various along Deanhaugh Streetand Raeburn Place in Stockbridge.
Supermarkets: Sainsbury’s in St Andrews Square, Tesco at Canonmills, Scotmid Hamilton Place Stockbridge, Waitrose Comely Bank Road
Launderette: 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
