Edinburgh is renowned as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and luckily for me, I get to reside in this historic gem. Even though I stay in Edinburgh, there is nothing I love more than to experience a staycation in my own city. It not only allows me to experience all the fantastic accommodation (and share them with you guys) but it also gives me a newfound appreciation for this small but perfectly formed city.
As the travel industry re-opens, an array of new hotels and accommodation have opened their doors for the first time, Native Edinburgh being one. Native Edinburgh is a range of luxury fully serviced apartments catering for leisure and business travellers. After staying in a number of Native apartments in the UK, I was very intrigued to see what their new Edinburgh apartments were like.
Native Edinburgh boasts an excellent position within New Town which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. Housed in a distinguished Georgian building located on Queen Street, the city centre apartments make an excellent base for anyone wishing to explore the nearby shops, restaurants and sites. As you enter the stunning facade of Native Edinburgh the historic architecture turns into a more contemporary affair.
The first room that welcomes you is the impressive entrance lobby with a range of relaxed seating, minimalist decor and calm hues. Large artwork and dispersed planting add some interest to the space. It’s the perfect place to sit back, relax or work whilst looking out onto Queen Street. I was particularly impressed with the self-service machine which provided unlimited coffee and wine for guests.
There are numerous types of apartments to choose from including; a Studio, One Bedroom and Premium One Bedroom, all boasting a contemporary style and relaxed ambience. I was lucky enough to stay in one of their One Bedroom Apartments, located on the first floor of the building. You can take the lift but I recommend a trip up the impressive staircase. An elaborate blue-toned carpet and gold contemporary lighting were a treat for my inner interior designer.
As you open the door to the apartment you are greeted with a small hallway that leads to the bedroom, bathroom, open plan lounge, kitchen and dining area. On entering the lounge, you get your first glimpse of how special this place is. Tall sash windows synonymous with Edinburgh’s New Town buildings allow the space to be flooded with light and provide impressive views of the stunning adjacent Georgian buildings.
The large space is multifunctional and combines a sleek kitchen, lounge area, storage space and a place to work. The modern kitchen is fully equipped with everything you need to make your stay extra special, including a fridge, microwave/grill, dishwasher and washer-dryer, which would be excellent for guests staying over a longer period of time.
A small table and fold-out chairs are an excellent place to eat if you wish to dine in the apartment. A cleverly concealed pull out table also provides further dining space or additional space to work.
A lounge area with a comfortable sofa is decked out with the latest amenities and technology, including smart tv and retro Bluetooth radio. This allows you to kick back, watch some tv or listen to your favourite tunes after you’ve explored the streets of Edinburgh.
The bedroom echoes the rest of the apartment with its soft calming hues, enhanced with a darker feature wall with a contemporary floral pattern. This wall backs an extremely comfortable Hypnos king-sized bed with sumptuously soft sheets and fluffy plump cushions.
I was a tad concerned that being so close to a busy city centre street, my sleep would suffer a little but I ended up having an excellent nights sleep, waking up feeling well rested and refreshed.
The separate bathroom is spotlessly clean, spacious, modern and includes unique luxury toiletries and fresh fluffy towels. The rainfall shower is to die for and the perfect way to ease those aching muscles if you have been walking around the city all day.
Whether you’re looking for a short or longstay, I think Native Edinburgh is the ideal place for both business and pleasure. Its location couldn’t be better as it is perfectly placed to enjoy everything the city has to offer without the associated noise that you can often encounter in a city centre accommodation. With weekly housekeeping, a 24/7 reception and all the amenities on offer, you can experience a combination of both hotel and apartment living.
My only niggle, which is completely personal (my inner interior designer head raises again) is that the apartments lacked a little character and I feel some additional accessories would inject some colour and warmth to take it to the next level. Having stayed in other Native properties there is always a slight theme that weaves its way through the property which is what these apartments lacked. This however may have been due to current COVID restrictions over additional accessories in an apartment. There is no doubt though that I would highly recommend Native Edinburgh as it has everything required for a comfortable, luxurious and affordable stay.
Blu Blazer Guy Rating
Location – 5/5 – Centrally located in Edinburgh
Customer Service – 4/5 – Receptionist was friendly, informative and helpful
Accommodation – 4/5 – Contemporary, spacious with good amenities.
Cleanliness – 5/5 – Spotless and immaculate.
Food and Drink – 2/5 – No restaurant on site but enjoyed free coffee in the lounge.
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