Travel: The Knight Residence, Edinburgh

High-end lifestyle magazine LUX crowned its accommodation the best serviced apartments in the world. The Mansley Group, which has apartments in London’s Mayfair and Kensington, snapped up the property earlier this year as part of an expansion in Scotland that also took in No 103 By The Bridge in Inverness. Tucked away from the bustle of Lothian Road, but within striking distance of Edinburgh Castle, the airy flats of the Knight Residence provide a welcome escape after a long day exploring the city. Although it was quite rowdy on the streets outside as everyone gathered for a night on the town, once inside you could barely hear the thrum of city life.

BUDGET OR BOUTIQUE?

The Knight Residence is probably somewhere in between, offering a slick functionality that feels luxurious. The clever people behind these self-contained residences have thought of everything you could possibly want, so there is no need to dash out for toothpaste or anything else you may have forgotten.

ROOM SERVICE

The 28-bed complex ranges from cosy one-bed studios to luxury three-bed apartments that each come with a kitchen, dining room and living room, as well as a spacious bathroom complete with honey-scented bubble bath and hair products. There is a washing machine and a dryer in each apartment to ensure your clothes are kept in tip-top condition for your stay. My two-bedroom flat was spacious enough to run around in, while somehow managing to be cosy and airy at the same time. The bedrooms are all equipped with flat-screen TVs and comfortable queen- or king-sized beds in the main bedroom, with twin beds in some of the additional rooms. The sizeable living room was a comfortable place to kick back with a glass of wine and to watch the sunset out of the floor to ceiling windows.

WINING AND DINING

The fully serviced kitchen has everything you could possibly need to whip up a feast. A little basket containing cereal, orange juice and other breakfast materials is on hand, as well as milk, bread and butter to ensure even the laziest people have something to eat. If you want to save some money by eating in or flex your culinary muscles then you can do so in comfort and style, which might be of benefit to families in the capital for a longer stay or business people who want to entertain.

WORTH GETTING OUT OF BED FOR

Just a hop, skip and a jump out of the door and you are in the Grassmarket, making the hotel a perfect base for exploring the Old Town. Edinburgh Castle looms large over the skyline but there are also the bars of Lothian Road, as well as a plethora of restaurants, cinemas and theatres nearby to keep all ages entertained. The friendly concierge is on duty until 11pm each night and has recommendations on where to go for dinner, or maps to help explore the city the next day.

LITTLE EXTRAS

The room even came with a canvas bag for your shopping, with a note to remind out-of-towners that it costs 5p for a carrier bag in Scotland. I was also impressed by the green initiatives in place, including eco-friendly settings  for lights and recycling facilities. The living room has an array of DVDs.

GUEST BOOK COMMENTS

A little pocket of calm within the buzz of the city, which is friendly enough to make you feel right at home.

• Studio apartments start at £79 per night this winter and two-bedroom apartments from £113. Readers can also use the special offer code SOS at www.theknightresidence.co.uk to save a further 10 per cent on these rates. The Knight Residence, 12 Lauriston Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DJ. [email protected] 0131-622 8120