I booked my accommodation at Scottish Apartment on 12 June 2006 through hotelclub for a 2 night stay on 14 and 15 June 2006. The booking confirmation I received advised me to check-in and collect my apartment keys at 493 Lawnmarket. When I arrived there, there was a tatty sign posted on the main door advising people that the office had moved to 6 Queen Street. A £6 cab journey later I arrived at 6 Queen Street where despite my complaint, neither an explanation nor an apology was forthcoming in relation to my wild goose chase. I was then given keys to an apartment in Grassmarket (though my confirmation letter said my accommodation was in Lawnmarket!). Again I needed a cab to get there - that cost an additional £6. When I opened the apartment door, my nostrils were assailed by the pervading aroma of damp and take-away food. The wood flooring throughout the apartment was in poor repair and in the hallway particularly, it posed a significant trip hazard. The apartment was nosiy, grubby and decorated "on the cheap". The standards of cleaning were questionnable and I found an old razor blade in the bath tub and a half-eaten packet of crisps under one of the beds.

The kitchen equipment was good. Microwave, big fridge freezer, cooker etc and the welcome pack of milk and cereals was most welcome. Location cannot be faulted as it is as central as you can get. Front bedrooms (with windows that refuse to close) are very noisy - late night revellers, traffic etc.

The smells from the take-away store below are nauseating and no matter where you position yourself in the apartment, you cannot get away from them.

I emailed Scottish Apartment with my complaint on 19 June together withn a request for a VAT receipt (which they were unable to provide when I checked-in). To date I have heard nothing back.

I will not be using this service again and cannot recommend.