Cheval Old Town Chambers is a luxury hotel situated in the heart of Edinburgh, offering a blend of historic charm and modern convenience. The hotel features fully-equipped apartments with stylish interiors, perfect for both short and long stays. Guests can enjoy the vibrant surroundings, as it is located near popular attractions like the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. The accommodations come with high-quality amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi and access to fitness facilities. With its prime location and exceptional service, it provides a unique experience for travelers looking to explore this historic city.
What each source says
- Tripadvisor 5.0 2,076
- Expedia 4.9 2,012
- Priceline 4.6 1,088
- Google 4.7 623
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-26.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Clean and Modern Decor The apartments are frequently described as immaculately clean and stylishly decorated, blending historic charm with contemporary fittings to ensure a high-quality, luxurious, and welcoming environment.
- Exemplary Customer Service Guests consistently praise the front desk and concierge team for being exceptionally friendly, knowledgeable, and proactive, often going above and beyond to arrange luggage assistance, upgrades, and local recommendations.
- Thoughtful Personal Touches The staff enhances the experience with welcoming gestures like providing complimentary fresh milk, tea, coffee, and bottled water, alongside occasional welcome notes or treats, creating a personalized feeling.
- Unbeatable Central Location Situated directly on the Royal Mile, the property offers immediate access to Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles Cathedral, and the train station, making it perfect for walking to all major Old Town attractions.
- Well-Equipped Apartments Each unit features modern, spacious interiors including full kitchens, dishwashers, and convenient washer/dryer units, providing the comforts of home and the ability to self-cater during longer stays.
Criticised
- Confusing Maze-like Layout The hotel’s complex design, spanning multiple historic buildings and varying levels, makes navigating between the lobby and rooms difficult, often involving multiple elevators, staircases, and outdoor courtyard paths.
- Difficult Accessibility Due to the historic nature of the buildings and hilly local terrain, guests often encounter many stairs and steep inclines, making access challenging for those with mobility issues or heavy luggage.
- Inconsistent Temperature Regulation Several guests report a lack of air conditioning, leading to uncomfortably warm rooms, while others note difficulties operating thermostats or heating systems when they are available.
- Lack of Traditional Amenities Guests occasionally express frustration over the absence of standard hotel features like in-room phones, limited storage space for clothing, or the reliance on a mobile app for communication instead of direct, immediate service.
- Potential for External Noise While the property is centrally located, some apartments face busy streets or bar areas, allowing noise from late-night revellers or nearby equipment to penetrate, which can disturb sleep.
The longer read
Cheval Old Town Chambers is widely regarded as a premier, high-quality apartment-style hotel located directly on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Its location is consistently praised as unbeatable, offering immediate, walkable access to major attractions like Edinburgh Castle, St. Giles’ Cathedral, and the Waverley train station. Guests appreciate the hotel's ability to blend a historic building aesthetic with modernized, stylish, and clean interiors. The inclusion of in-room amenities—specifically fully equipped kitchens with stoves, dishwashers, and notably, washer/dryer units—makes the property a top choice for families and those seeking longer stays, providing the comfort of home alongside luxury hotel services.
The staff at the hotel receive glowing, frequent praise for being welcoming, professional, and exceptionally helpful. Many reviewers highlight specific team members who went above and beyond to assist with luggage, provide local recommendations, handle special occasion requests, and resolve room issues quickly. This high level of service significantly enhances the guest experience and contributes to the hotel's 5-star reputation. However, the property layout is frequently described as a maze of buildings, hallways, staircases, and separate elevator banks. While some guests find this charming or manageable, others with mobility issues, heavy luggage, or young children find it frustrating. It is strongly advised that guests arriving by train or with significant luggage take a taxi to the front door rather than attempting to navigate the steep stairs near the station.
While the rooms are generally seen as comfortable and quiet due to good insulation, some guests noted issues with room temperature regulation, specifically a lack of air conditioning in some units, which can lead to warmth in the summer months. Noise is occasionally an issue for rooms facing the street or courtyards where bars and restaurants are active, though internal noise from other guests is rare. A few guests expressed disappointment regarding inconsistent maintenance (such as weak water pressure, issues with heating, or malfunctioning appliances), though these are usually reported as being addressed promptly by staff. Amenities like the on-site restaurant, Luckenbooths, receive mixed reviews—generally considered convenient and pleasant, though some guests find the service or food quality inconsistent.
In summary, Cheval Old Town Chambers is best suited for travelers who value space, in-room amenities, and a prime, historic location. It offers a unique 'aparthotel' experience that is largely unmatched for those wanting to explore the heart of Edinburgh while having a fully functional, stylish home base. Prospective guests should be aware of the property's complex, multi-building navigation and potential noise if staying in lower-level or street-facing rooms. The high price point is generally justified by the location and service, provided guests manage expectations regarding the historic, non-standard layout of the residence.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- 00441315105499
- Website
- lateralcity.com/old-town-chambers
- Check in
- 15:00 · out 11:00
| Mon | 24 Hours |
|---|---|
| Tue | 24 Hours |
| Wed | 24 Hours |
| Thu | 24 Hours |
| Fri | 24 Hours |
| Sat | 24 Hours |
| Sun | 24 Hours |
Facilities
- 24 Hours
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Accessible
- Additional Bathroom
- Baggage Storage
- Bathrobes
- Complimentary Instant Coffee
- Complimentary Tea
- Complimentary Toiletries
- Concierge
- Dining Area
- Dishwasher
- Family Rooms
- Gym
- Hair Dryer
- Housekeeping
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.9 against a median of 4.4 across the 93 venues we hold for Edinburgh, where the most-reviewed is Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh.
Booking
Still deciding?
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- Is Cheval Old Town Chambers particularly recommended for families, couples, or business travelers?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.