Apex Grassmarket Hotel Edinburgh Gym photoApex Grassmarket Hotel Edinburgh Exterior photoApex Grassmarket Hotel Edinburgh Room photo

Apex Grassmarket Hotel – A Favorite for Families in Edinburgh

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From$292 /night
Check-in
19Jun
Check-out
20Jun
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2HS
-
Steps from the Old Town
Great
8.5
9.0
/10
4.3
4.5
/5

4-star hotel with iconic castle views in Edinburgh

Amenities

Apex Grassmarket Hotel offers a range of amenities designed for relaxation and convenience. Guests can enjoy an indoor heated swimming pool, a sauna, and a fully equipped gym with Technogym fitness equipment. The hotel provides a chic restaurant, Metro, which features wall-to-wall windows for stunning views of Edinburgh Castle.

Rooms

The hotel boasts a variety of room types, including Castle View Deluxe Rooms with private balconies offering direct views of Edinburgh Castle. Family Rooms accommodate four guests, featuring two queen-size beds and options for cribs, ensuring a comfortable stay for all ages. Each room includes luxury toiletries, a mini fridge, and generous desk space.

Location

Situated in Edinburgh's historic Old Town, the hotel is placed in the bustling Grassmarket area. Guests have immediate access to local attractions, restaurants, and bars right outside their doorstep. The hotel is approximately a 10-minute walk from Waverley Station and just 7.2 miles from Edinburgh Airport.

Business Facilities

Apex Grassmarket Hotel includes seven function spaces, accommodating events for up to 200 guests. The Apex Suite, at 129 sqm, provides a contemporary setting for conferences and meetings with impressive views of Edinburgh Castle. The dedicated Events team is available to assist with planning and coordination.

Family-Friendly Amenities

Children are welcomed with special offerings such as free stays for those under 17 and complimentary meals for kids aged five and under. The Family Rooms encourage shared experiences with two comfortable queen-size beds and a cozy environment. The rooms also come with amenities tailored for younger guests, including TVs and fun bath-time extras.

Highlights

Location: Grassmarket area, 10 min from Waverley Station

Rooms: Castle View Deluxe Rooms with private balconies

Dining: Metro restaurant with Edinburgh Castle views

Business: Apex Suite for up to 200 guests

Family: Kids under 17 stay free

“The location scores immediate points, particularly the rooms with Edinburgh Castle views. I especially appreciate the hotel's commitment to family-friendly stays, from spacious rooms to kids-eat-free options, plus on-site leisure facilities, making it a solid base for exploring the city.”
Hotel logo
Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels

Choose from a variety of room types

Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included
  • City Twin Room
    2 persons
    22 sq. feet
    2 Double beds
    Heating
    Shower
  • City Double Room
    2 persons
    20 sq. feet
    1 Double bed
    Heating
    Shower
  • Quadruple Room
    2 persons
    24 sq. feet
    2 King Size Beds
    Heating
    Shower
Show all rooms

Availability and pricing for your selected dates

Book your family’s getaway in a snap with up-to-date availability and pricing!
June 2026 - June 2027
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Check-in/ Check-out

Facilities

Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones
Facilities: Great
8.5/10Review score

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • On-site car park
  • Handicap parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • Express check-in/ -out
  • No pets allowed
  • Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
  • Wheelchair access
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Locker room
  • Lift
  • Smoke detectors
  • Electric vehicle charging station
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key card access

Sports & Fitness

  • Fitness centre

Guest Parking

  • Electric kettle

Services

  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Dry cleaning
  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Bar/ Lounge area
  • Packed lunches
  • Special diet menus

Business

  • Meeting/ Banquet facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying

Children

  • Cots
  • Children's menu

Facilities for people with disabilities

  • Toilet for disabled
  • Bathroom for disabled

Spa & Leisure

  • Indoor swimming pool
  • Sun loungers
  • Solarium
  • Sauna
  • Shallow end

Room features

  • Heating
  • Sitting area
  • Terrace
  • Garden furniture
  • Tea and coffee facilities
  • Ironing facilities

Bathroom

  • Separate tub and shower
  • Free toiletries

Self-catering

  • Electric kettle

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
  • AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

  • Carpeted floor
Show more

Dining Onsite

At the Apex Grassmarket Hotel, dining is a delightful exploration of Scottish and international cuisine, perfectly suited for families and discerning travelers alike. With stunning views of Edinburgh Castle, the Metro Bar & Brasserie offers a welcoming atmosphere and a menu that caters to a variety of dietary needs, ensuring every meal is a memorable occasion.
  • Metro Bar & Brasserie

    Scottish and International
    Ambiance
    Family-friendly, Modern with a view of Edinburgh Castle
    Key Offerings
    An array of dishes featuring the finest Scottish produce, along with options for vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets. Breakfast and lunch selections are complemented by a relaxed bar area for evening meals.
    Reservation
    Recommended
    Breakfast from 07:00 - 10:30, Lunch from 12:00 - 20:30 (MON-SAT); Breakfast from 07:00 - 11:00, Lunch from 12:00 - 20:30 (SUN)

Apex Grassmarket Hotel Location

31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2HS
Explore Edinburgh
Explore Grassmarket
  • Top Attractions
  • Activities
  • Dining
  • Entertainment
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle
7 minutes' walk
Historic fortress on Castle Rock, offering panoramic views and exhibits exploring Scotland's royal history.
The Real Mary King's Close
The Real Mary King's Close
8 minutes' walk
Fascinating underground tour revealing 17th-century Edinburgh's hidden streets and stories.
Scottish National Gallery
Scottish National Gallery
8 minutes' walk
National art collection featuring works by Titian, Turner, and Van Gogh, with free admission to permanent galleries.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill
18 minutes' walk
Iconic hill offering stunning city views and famous monuments, ideal for a leisurely stroll or picnic.
Arthur's Seat hike
Arthur's Seat hike
25 minutes' walk
Outdoor adventure featuring an ancient volcano, offering breathtaking views and well-maintained trails.
Yoga at The Meadows
9 minutes' walk
Relaxing yoga sessions amidst scenic surroundings, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration.
Beehive Inn
1 minute' walk
Traditional pub with local dishes, known for its lively atmosphere and selection of local ales.
Petit Paris
3 minutes' walk
Charming French eatery offering classic dishes, perfect for a romantic dinner or casual lunch.
Metro Bar and Brasserie
1 minute' walk
Vibrant bar with live music events and a lively atmosphere, ideal for both families and nightlife seekers.
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
5 minutes' walk
Interactive attraction offering fun for all ages, with optical illusions and panoramic views of the city.
Tips on navigating the city
  • City Centre
    Edinburgh 9 min  ·  2300 ft
  • Airports
    Edinburgh (EDI) 20 min  ·  8.2 mi
    Glasgow (GLA) 132 min  ·  54.4 mi
  • Bus
    Bus stop 4 min  ·  1000 ft
Get access to exclusive early booking discounts for your family’s upcoming getaway
Book now and enjoy exclusive rates on your family vacation!
Check Rates
Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
until 11 am
Guest Parking
Public parking is possible on site at true.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Breakfast
You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP19.50 per person per day.
Children & extra beds
There are no extra beds provided in a room. 
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Year renovated:
2010
Number of floors:
6
Number of rooms:
169
Former name
Apex International

Family-focused reviews and ratings

Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.
Review summary
Based on recent reviews
Powered by AI
The Apex Grassmarket Hotel is often praised for its superb location, placing guests within easy walking distance of the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, which some rooms directly overlook. Guests frequently appreciate the spacious rooms, sometimes featuring two queen beds, and the convenience of amenities like in-room water jugs and filtered water dispensers on each floor. The Metro Restaurant is a popular choice, particularly the steak frites special, though some guests have mentioned occasional minor maintenance issues in certain rooms.
Show moreShow less
Review score
Based on 2800 verified reviews
8.6 /10
Great
85 %
Recommend
Location
9.6/10
Staff
9.1/10
Paid Wi-Fi
7.9/10
Value for money
8.0/10
Pros
Perfect location
Comfortable beds
Friendly staff
Clean rooms
Cons
Pricey breakfast
Guest reviews
based on 2800 reviews
8.6/10
based on 1519 reviews
4/5
based on 3131 reviews
8.5/10
Daniel from United Kingdom
Family with children
City Double Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: January 31, 2026
6/10

Acceptable Location, Some Disappointing Aspects

hard mattress flickering lights
The hotel was conveniently located. It was very close to the castle, the main reason for my visit.
The room did not match the pictures online. It felt dated. The mattress was too hard. The lights flickered constantly, annoying. I raised these issues, but the reception staff said nothing could be done.
0 Helpful
Sean from Ireland
Single
City Twin Room
3 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed: December 25, 2025
7/10
convenient location helpful staff comfortable beds missing air conditioning street noise dated bathroom
the location proved very convenient for accessing nearby attractions. the staff were helpful and efficient at check-in. my room, a city twin room, was clean and well-kept with comfortable beds.
the lack of air conditioning made the room uncomfortably warm during the day. i found some noise from the street at night, even with the windows closed. the bathroom was a bit dated and in need of some minor repairs.
0 Helpful
Connor from Australia
Family with children
Family Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed: December 02, 2025
9.0/10

superb stay

filtered water family room convenient location good food
The family room was perfect for our needs. I especially loved the filtered water dispensers. They made refilling our water bottles easy. the hotel's location made it simple to walk to many places. I found several good food options very close by.
I found the mattress and pillow to be a little HARD. There was no AC in the room, i would have wanted it as the weather was warm.
Facilities
9/10
The hotel offered filtered water dispensers on each floor, a very practical amenity. There were also ice machines available to use at their convenience. A gym with several cardio machines was accessible around the clock.
Dining
9/10
Breakfast included a variety of hot and cold items at the buffet. The lounge served cocktails, and the staff were very attentive. Many restaurants were situated across the street. They presented many choices.
Rooms
9/10
The room had two queen beds, accommodating our family comfortably. A thermostat allowed individual temperature control within the room. the bathroom featured a walk in shower, it had ample space.
0 Helpful
|
Show more
luke from united kingdom
Single
city twin room
4 nights in August 2025
|
Reviewed: October 04, 2025
7/10

decent experience downtown

useful amenities fresh water high price elevator proximity disappointing service
The location was great. I was right in the city center. my room had a safe, a fridge, an iron, and an ironing board, very useful amenities. i also found it convenient that there was fresh water available near the rooms, a nice touch.
The room i had was quite expensive. I think the price didn't quite match the quality. i requested a room away from the elevator, but i got one right next to it, frustrating. the service was a bit disappointing considering the cost, didn't meet my expectations.
0 Helpful
FAQs
About Apex Grassmarket Hotel
What are the check-in and check-out times at Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
Check-in is at 14:30 and check-out is at 11:00.
Is there a swimming pool at Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
The hotel features an indoor heated swimming pool that is open all year.
What leisure facilities are available at Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
Leisure facilities include a sauna and a gym equipped with Technogym fitness equipment.
How far is Apex Grassmarket Hotel from Edinburgh Castle?
The hotel is a 15-minute walk, approximately 1 km, from Edinburgh Castle.
Is parking available at Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
Limited public parking is available on-site for £20 per day on a first-come, first-served basis.
What dining options are available at Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
The hotel features the Metro Bar & Brasserie, which offers seasonal menus and views of Edinburgh Castle.
What is the distance from Apex Grassmarket Hotel to Edinburgh Airport?
The hotel is approximately 25 minutes by taxi from Edinburgh Airport, which is about 13 km away.
What amenities can guests expect in the rooms at Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
Rooms include a widescreen TV, an en suite bathroom with free luxury toiletries, and tea/coffee making facilities.
What attractions are near Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
Nearby attractions include the Royal Mile (600 m) and the National Museum of Scotland (550 m).
Does Apex Grassmarket Hotel offer breakfast?
Breakfast is available for an additional charge of £19.
Are there any family-friendly services available at Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
The hotel offers family rooms, and children under 5 eat for free.
What languages do the staff at Apex Grassmarket Hotel speak?
The staff primarily communicate in English.
Is express check-in/check-out available at Apex Grassmarket Hotel?
Yes, express check-in and check-out services are available.

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