Travel: Roomzzz Aparthotels, Edinburgh, review - we stay over at St James Quarter

This is the first Scottish branch of the chain

Bonnie Suite at Roomzzz, Edinburgh

I spend so much time in St James Quarter, whether that’s shopping at COS or eating at Ka Pao, that the only logical progression is to stay the night.

Thankfully, there are options that don’t involve kipping in the lift.

This destination’s five-star W Hotel may not be due to open until winter 2023, but there is now the more casual Roomzzz. They have aparthotels in Leeds, where the company is based, as well as Manchester, London and Newcastle, among other UK city destinations, but this is the first outpost in Scotland.

Exterior shot of Roomzzz, Edinburgh

There are two entrances. Either from Leith Street, or via the top floor of the shopping quarter.

We suggest the latter, so your first impression of the 74-room aparthotel is the huge roof terrace that looks out to Calton Hill and Arthur’s Seat. It’s strange to think that only seagulls could see this before 2021, when the building was completed. On our visit, others were appreciating it too, as there was a group who were unabashedly doing a TikTok dance using it as a backdrop.

As the focus here is sleep, this venue has limited communal areas. These include the 24-hour reception, where we checked in with a jolly member of staff, and a small lounge, with a chic Scandi design. There’s also a shop area that stocks stovies, macaroni, shortbread and other snacks and ready-meals - aka “essentialzzz”.

As you make your way to your room, enjoy the fresh carpet smell. This place really is box fresh.

Smart Studio at Roomzzz, Edinburgh Pic: Connor Mollison

Budget or boutique?

Somewhere in the middle. There are six tiers of rooms and their fanciest is the Bonnie Studio. The most basic is their Neo Studio and we’re one up from this with our 26m2 Smart View Studio. It has floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage of the vista, parquet floors, and a neutral decor, apart from the lipstick red quilted headboard.

Room service

We’re only here for one night but longer term residents would be sorted, when it comes to in-room amenities. Our king-sized bed is comfy, as you’d expect from a hotel that has ‘zzz’ in its name. There’s a large HD TV and their bathroom features a walk-in shower, underfloor heating and a clever mirror that doesn’t mist up, as well as The White Company’s Noir products. We also have hanging space, a desk, ironing board, iron and safe, and the kitchenettes are well-equipped. They boast a full-sized fridge with freezer compartment, mini dish-washer, pots, a kettle, crockery, cutlery and all the fiddly things you might need, like a fish slice and can opener.

Wining and dining

They provide a basic Grab and Go breakfast here, which can be collected from 6.30am until 10.30am, and is included in the room price. On our visit, there were croissants and marmalade, apples, oranges, and a self-service coffee machine. In the rooms, there’s a QR code, so you can have food delivered to your room from Bonnie & Wild, where purveyors include Creel Caught by Gary Maclean. In the morning, you could head down to Bonnie & Wild to take advantage of their new The Breakfast Club pop-up concept on weekends from 8.30am until 11.30am. This includes offerings from the likes of residents, El Perro Negro and Soup & Caboodle, and a full Scottish that includes Ramsay of Carluke sausages.

Worth getting out of bed for?

There’s always dancing on the roof terrace. Apart from that, you’re bang in the middle of everything. As far as food goes, we ate at Edinburgh Street Food, but you could head down to Lucky Yu on Broughton Street, cross the road to The Balmoral, or head straight down Leith Walk. This place is a stone’s throw from the Old Town, New Town, and all the Towns. Inside the quarter, there’s Everyman cinema, Lane 7 bowling, and an endless selection of shops and restaurants.

Little extras

There’s a couple of Tunnock’s Wafers on the tea tray. Apparently, there’s a communal laundry room somewhere in the building too. Check in time is 3pm and check out is 11am, which seems extremely civilised.

Guest book comments

"Check-in was a breeze with complimentary coffee on tap”.

Roomzzz Aparthotels start from £179: St James Square, Leith St, Edinburgh (0131 516 3040, www.roomzzz.com)