Cheval Old Town Chambers Edinburgh Review: Your Home Away From Home?
“I always feel that when I come to Edinburgh, in many ways, I am coming home.”
When you’re traveling, sometimes a hotel just doesn’t cut it. Maybe you want more space to spread out, a kitchen to whip up your own breakfast, or just the feeling of living like a local rather than a tourist. That’s where serviced apartments come in, giving you the comfort and convenience of home, with the perks of a hotel. Cheval Collection, known for its luxury serviced apartments, offers spots in cities like London, Edinburgh, and Dubai, with options ranging from Chelsea Harbour in London to the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
Today, I’ll be diving into the Cheval Old Town Chambers, right in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. Is this the perfect blend of apartment comfort and hotel ease? Let’s find out in this full review.
Here we go! Let’s determine if staying here is worth it while we cover all aspects, from the rooms to the location:
The Location
The location of Cheval Old Town Chambers? You really can’t ask for much better in Edinburgh. Nestled right in the heart of the Old Town, you’re just steps away from iconic spots like the Royal Mile, St Giles’ Cathedral, and many pubs, cafes, and shops.
If you’re arriving by train, Waverley Station is only about a 7-minute walk away. The walk is definitely uphill, so keep that in mind if you’re hauling heavy luggage. Google Maps might try to save you time by sending you up the stairs right to the lobby steps, which I managed fine with just a carry-on, but if you’ve got bigger bags, I’d recommend taking the longer, main road.
The Apartment
Let’s move on to the apartment. The Cheval Collection offers a variety of serviced apartments—from cozy studios to spacious multi-bedroom homes. The apartments are spread across several historic buildings, so not all can be accessed through the main entrance. Ours, for example, was tucked away down the famous Advocate’s Close alley, which added to Edinburgh’s Old Town character.
Located on the third floor of a building without an elevator, the stairs can be a bit of a hassle, so definitely give the team a heads-up if you have any mobility concerns. We stayed one night from Saturday to Sunday and paid €550 for a deluxe open-plan apartment. The apartment was clean, the bed was very comfortable, and the kitchen had everything you’d need to cook your meals. One thing to note, although the website showed and mentioned a dedicated eating area for this 27m² (290 ft²) apartment, ours didn’t have one. Since we only stayed one night, it wasn’t a dealbreaker, but if you’re planning a longer visit, the space might feel a little cramped.
Also, on Sunday morning at around 6 a.m., they were cleaning the streets with a high-pressure water hose, and the noise was quite noticeable inside the apartment. I’m not sure if this is a daily/weekly occurrence, but it's definitely something to be aware of. So, while the location is fantastic, the apartments aren’t completely soundproof—but that’s part of city center living.
The Restaurant
Next up, the restaurant. There’s a spot called Luckenbooths right in the main building where the reception is, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Since the location is so central, we decided to explore Edinburgh’s food scene (highly recommend getting Mussels at The Outsider) instead of eating at the hotel restaurant. So, I can’t really share any firsthand thoughts about Luckenbooths — but it’s good to know there’s a convenient option if you want to keep things simple!
The Amenities
As for amenities, there’s a gym located in the main building, but honestly, with all the walking and those Edinburgh stairs, I didn’t feel the need to use it—exploring the city felt like a workout in itself! The apartments come fully equipped with everything you might need for a comfortable stay. In the bathroom, you’ll find shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, and body lotion, and the kitchen is stocked with essentials like dish soap, making it easy to settle in without the need of stopping by a supermarket first.
The Verdict
Overall, I found the apartment to be nice and well kept, with a really comfortable bed that made it easy to relax after a day of exploring. That said, the noise early Sunday morning at 6 am caught me off guard — and trust me, I’m used to city noise (I sleep with earplugs and live in Amsterdam’s city center), but a high-pressure water hose cleaning the streets was a whole new level of loud.
Since we only stayed one night, the apartment size worked okay, but if I’d been staying longer, that limited space would have definitely been an issue. Pay close attention when booking to how much room you actually need — for me, missing a proper dining table was a real drawback if I wanted to cook and eat in. And with rates around €550 per night, I was expecting a bit more breathing room for the price.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions. Happy Travels!
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