Apex International Hotel

Apex International Hotel stands at 31-35 Grassmarket in Edinburgh's Old Town, directly beneath Edinburgh Castle rock. The Grassmarket is a historic market square lined with pubs, restaurants and independent shops, and it is a short climb from Victoria Street, the Royal Mile and the National Museum of Scotland. Waverley station is about fifteen minutes away on foot, and Haymarket station is a little farther to the west. The hotel is part of the Apex group, a Scottish-owned brand, and offers a contemporary design inside a building that fits the square's mix of old and new architecture. Rooms are arranged as Standard Doubles, Twin Rooms, Superior Rooms and Family Rooms, and the higher categories include views toward the castle. Standard features include comfortable beds, modern bathrooms and in-room work space, which suit both leisure and business guests. The on-site restaurant serves a Scottish and international menu and a buffet or cooked breakfast, and a bar is available for evening drinks. Wellness facilities include a spa with a pool, sauna and treatment rooms, plus a gym, which is a notable extra among Old Town hotels and useful after a day of walking the city's hills and cobbles. Service is friendly and efficient, with a mix of couples, families and groups, and the family rooms make the hotel practical for travellers with children. Prices run from roughly £110 to £300 per night, with peaks during the August festivals, Hogmanay and rugby weekends. The Grassmarket is lively at night, and rooms facing the square can be noisy at weekends, so quieter rooms can be requested. The location is ideal for walking tours, ghost tours and evenings in the surrounding pubs, though the steep approaches from the Royal Mile and Victoria Street should be kept in mind when travelling with heavy luggage.