The Apex international was a lovely hotel on the grassmarket. Clean rooms (some with newer/more modern/fresher bathrooms than others!), lovely breakfast dining room view (over the castle).

Only criticism was that on both nights we stayed there was some function or other which marred the "personal touch" and checking in or out was chaotic and lengthy.

also, the rooms were hot hot hot - very stuffy and with the location being so central you don't really want to have your window open on account of the noise!!

Not a bad price for the location ..

We recently celebrated my husband's birthday with a trip to Edinburgh to see the Tattoo booked through Superbreak. The only fault we could find with the hotel was that for us, it was too warm. The room was very clean, bed very comfortable, view superb. Also the breakfast was very nicely cooked and the service could not be faulted. All with the stunning view of the castle. A very convenient location for all the sights.

In many respects this is a very nice 4-star hotel. The staff are friendly, attentive and helpful. It has a pleasant bar. The swimming pool and gym are nice (the pool is long enough to swim lengths and not too hot). The rooms and bathrooms are attractive.

HOWEVER, we stayed on the side of the hotel that faces the road and were kept up all night by the noise. There is no double-glazing the road outside the hotel is a main thorough-fare. In addition, there are many late-night drinking places and clubs in the area, so there are loud drunken people wandering the streets until 5am. If you do stay here, get a room on the quiet side (and as high as possible) and take ear plugs.

The food is fine. Breakfast is expensive, though nice. The downstairs light-dining bistro is just about acceptable. The upstairs restaurant has a wonderful view of Edinburgh Castle, but serves over-priced pretentious food of the sort you saw in London in the 1980s.

Took my young family to Edinburgh on the sleeper train from London (would thoroughly recommend the experience- cramped but fun) and landed at the Apex International.

Courteous and very helpful staff; fantastic family room with superb view of the Castle; kids enjoyed the swiimming pool and equally the full breakfast where they had haggis & black pudding for the first time. Plenty of choice from the buffet that provides all the sustenance you need for a good walk around the city.

Clean; in a lively part of town so do expect a little noise in the evening but that is all part of this great city's charm and vibrance....besides nothing we're not used to in London.