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.”
Sometimes when you’re traveling, a standard hotel room just doesn’t feel like enough. Maybe you want more space to spread out, a kitchen to make breakfast or keep snacks in the fridge, or somewhere you can properly relax after a long day instead of sitting on the edge of a bed. Especially on a city trip, having a place that feels a little more like your own can make the whole stay better.
That’s where serviced apartments come in. You get the extra space and comfort of an apartment, but without giving up the convenience of a hotel. Reception, housekeeping, and central locations still make travel easier, so it can be a very good middle ground.
Cheval Collection is one of the names that comes up often in that space, with luxury serviced apartments in cities like London, Edinburgh, and Dubai.
For this trip, I stayed at Cheval Old Town Chambers, right in the heart of Old Town. On paper, it sounded like exactly the kind of place I’d enjoy: more space, a central location, and the freedom of an apartment while still feeling polished and easy.
So, did it live up to expectations? Is this the ideal mix of apartment comfort and hotel convenience, or would I have preferred a traditional hotel instead? Let’s get into the 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. It sits right in the heart of Old Town, which means you’re surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic sights from the moment you step outside.
You’re only a short walk from Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, and countless pubs, cafés, little shops, and historic streets that make this part of the city so enjoyable to explore. If it’s your first time in Edinburgh, staying here makes sightseeing incredibly easy, as many of the main places people want to see are already on your doorstep.
I also loved that the area still feels atmospheric in the evenings. Once the day crowds thin out, there’s something very special about walking back through the old streets at night with the buildings lit up around you. It adds to the whole Edinburgh experience in a way that a more generic location wouldn’t.
If you’re arriving by train, Edinburgh Waverley Station is only around a 7-minute walk away, which is very convenient. Just keep in mind that this is Edinburgh, so flat terrain is not really part of the deal. The walk is uphill, and you’ll definitely notice that if you’re pulling heavy luggage.
A practical tip: Google Maps may try to save you time by sending you up a staircase route straight toward the lobby entrance. I managed it fine with just a carry-on, but if you’re traveling with larger suitcases, I’d strongly recommend taking the slightly longer main road instead. It will save you a lot of unnecessary suffering before you’ve even checked in.
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 situation. There’s a spot called Luckenbooths right in the main building near reception, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I didn’t end up eating there myself, simply because the location of Cheval Old Town Chambers is so central that it felt very easy to go out and explore the city’s food scene instead. Still, it’s definitely useful to know there’s a convenient on-site option if you arrive late, don’t feel like walking far, or just want to keep things simple.
While roaming around Edinburgh, we ended up stumbling upon The Outsider—and I’m very glad we did. I loved it so much that we went back a second time during the same trip, which probably tells you everything you need to know. It’s a lovely restaurant with a relaxed but lively atmosphere, the kind of place that feels busy in a good way rather than line-around-the-block busy or overhyped. The food was genuinely great, and it quickly became one of my favorite places we ate in the city.
If you go, I’d definitely recommend trying to get a table by the windows if possible, as some seats have beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle. There’s something very satisfying about a good meal with a castle in the background.
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 Edinburgh. It felt clean, polished, and well-maintained, which always makes a difference when you’re only staying for a short trip and want to settle in quickly. That said, the noise early Sunday morning at 6 am definitely caught me off guard. And trust me, I’m used to city noise—I sleep with earplugs and live in Amsterdam city center—but a high-pressure water hose cleaning the streets outside was a whole new level of loud. It was not the gentle wake-up call I had in mind.
Since we only stayed one night, the apartment size worked well enough for us, and for a short stay, it was manageable. But if I’d been staying longer, that limited space would have definitely become more of an issue. So I’d really recommend paying close attention when booking to how much room you actually need, as not all apartment categories will feel equally spacious. For me, missing a dining table (even if small) was a real drawback, especially in a place where you might want to cook something simple or have a relaxed breakfast in the apartment. And with rates around €550 per night, I was expecting a little 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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