We stayed 4 nights in a 2 bed superior apartment (5th floor) in March 2007 - in fact just got back. Only really needed the 1 bed but decided to book 2 bed as these face the car park and are not street facing. If you a light sleeper perhaps pick the 2 bed instead as we heard nothing during the night.

The facilities/amenities were brilliant - like home from home (or perhaps better as I even don't have a dishwasher!!). All staff extremely friendly and helpful.

I would definitely recommend these serviced apartments and would also stay there again if and when I go back to Edinburgh.

Ok, yes, there are some lap dancing clubs nearby - but we were two women on holiday and did not feel threatened at all when passing them in the evening. They have bouncers on the doors in any event.

The apartments are also only a 10 min walk into Princes Street and right close to the Castle.

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. The "official" photos you see are exactly like the rooms - well the one I stayed in. I would have posted my photos of the rooms but at the time of writing this review I had not downloaded them.

Stayed at the Knight Residence in Novemebr 2005 and loved it...perfect walking distance to shopping, restaurants and pubs...we found the amenities ideal for our needs including a washer/dryer combo...would have liked to use the internet without attitude from the front desk though they offer it as a service...We liked it so much we extended our stay...Scotland is a wonderful place and this hotel is a great home base.

Stayed at the Knights Residence 11th December till the 15th December 2006. Arrived at Waverley (Edinburgh) Station by train and took a taxi there. Was less that £10. Small reception but ably looked after and swiftly checked in (booked via website and in email contact over the preceding months each enquiry was answered quickly). I had made a request for a front facing apartment and high up…both which were catered for. Apartment was in the main building which had a stairwell and small elevator. Some stairs to negotiate in the lobby. In the lobby were various brochures of local attractions, a large number of videos and DVD’s to borrow (for free) and umbrellas for a rainy day. A nifty feature and one to make you feel at home…the front of the complex had a large name/entrance board with each apartment number and a button to ring. They put your name up so if you have visitors or call a taxi the person can buzz or ring directly into your apartment telephone to let you know they have arrived (and you can let them in automatically without going downstairs). Just as if you were actually living in these serviced apartments and another feature to make you feel at home. At night after the reception had closed you were given instructions on how to open the locked security door.

Décor of the apartment was your average standard furniture…not up market but in good condition albeit several years old. I do believe there have been some renovation recently especially the kitchens and bathrooms. Had a one bedroom which was ample for 2 people. Small lobby of which the bathroom was (shower/bath combo with toilet in same room). Bedroom (with safe in cupboard and small television), Lounge with telephone (which you could set up with your own personalized voicemail), couch, chair and small dinning table. Nice sized LCD TV with DVD/video and a music centre (they also provided a small range of CD’s). TV had digital television channels plus a large number of cable channels….more than most 5 star hotels I have been to and would put many places to shame. Lounge had two windows with a ‘french’ balcony set up. Kitchen was off lounge and was a nice size with oven, microwave, smaller fridge/freezer and plenty of crockery (we had cooking equipment and oven gloves in our apartment). Welcome basket of basics also including bread, milk, jams, tea, coffee and juice. When shown the apartment we were shown how we could set the auto heating if we wished to do so to come on at various times of the day. We had a great view of Edinburgh Castle from our kitchen and lounge windows. They also have wired internet access which is FREE (outlet was near the dinning table). A rarity in the UK.

All in all a great place to stay and a nice place to return home to. There are small supermarkets and a cinema about 10 mins walk away (in the opposite direction to the old town around Lothain rd and Earl Grey st) and plenty of bars, traditionally pubs and eateries in the Old Town and Grassmarket (about 10 mins other direction). The road the apartments are on is fairly quiet so I don’t know what the noise issue noticed by others is about...noise level is no more and sometimes a lot less than any normal city. The oft mentioned ‘girly’ bars…big deal. Never saw any trouble and they were quiet as…yes the area is not what one would call flash but it is what it is....an older part of the city and the buildings reflect that (narrow streets, grey or brown buildings). Semi commercial office buildings and apartments and shops. Walking to the castle takes prob 20 mins at most (via some steep stairs near the Grassmarket as a short cut) and over to the new town (main shopping area and Princes Street) prob would take about 30 mins at most for a fit person (it is up and over a hill through the Old Town). Taxi’s and buses are easy to get and it should be noted that several of Edinburgh’s tourist hotels are over this side (the Apex and the Premier Travel Inn were all 5 mins away) so your not in the boon docks. Would I stay here again...in a heart beat. And for what you get the prices are very good and the service even better...always prompt and polite. If only large establishments conducted themselves like this.

We stayed at the Knight Residence with our two primary school aged children, and found it excellent - particularly for families.

A two bedroomed apartment meant that the kids had their own room, and also meant that they could get up in the morning without disturbing the grown ups. it was useful to have the benefit of a full kitchen (including a washer/drier which is handy when you have messy children like ours!).

We had a rate of £120 per night for a two bedroomed superior apartment, which was excellent value - particularly considering the extras that you get for this: free parking (including for the remainder of the day after we had checked out). free wi-fi internet access, enough provisions to last us for breakfast (cereal, bread, milk, butter,tea, coffee, juice, biscuits) and DVD's/CD's/videos. The rates do seem to go up quite steeply during the summer months however.

Because of the services provided (daily housekeeping, robes, toiletries), this is more like a cross between a hotel and serviced apartments - with the best of both worlds.

The royal mile, Edinburgh castle, Holyrood Palace, Dynamic Earth, National Museum of Scotland and many more are all within easy walking distance. There are also plenty of restaurants in the area, together with a cinema and supermarkets.

Yes - there are a couple of lap dancing clubs around, but there did not seem to be any trouble or noise from these at all. Anywhere in the city centre runs the risk of the rowdy and drunk falling out of pubs - but there were no problems here. The concierge would call you a taxi to the door if you were really worried - but as a previous reviewer said, you would have to have a very nervous disposition to be put off by the clubs (and might be better staying in a rural area if that kind of thing disturbs you). You couldn't see into the clubs, and there were no pictures or anything "untoward" from the outside - our children had no idea what it was they were walking past.

We only had two very minor quibbles:
- an e-mail sent to the Residence in advance in relation to restaurant recommendations/reservations went unanswered (try Frankies for dinner, and Monster Mash for breakfast);
- the double beds are very narrow - not the usual king size that you would expect from a hotel.

Highly recommended, and we have already booked for a return trip.