Located in Edinburgh's affluent Stockbridge neighborhood, Flat 11 is just a 20-minute walk from the bustle of Princes Street.

The advantages of renting an apartment–experiencing life closer to that of a local, saving money, having more room–don’t just apply to flats in Paris, of course. Visiting Edinburgh for Hogmanay a few years back, my now-wife (I proposed to her there in front of a castle, just after midnight on New Year’s Eve, in the light rain, after fireworks–yeah, I’m good) and I experienced all off those benefits.

Located in Edinburgh’s affluent Stockbridge neighborhood, Flat 11 is a 20-minute walk from the commercial hub of Princes Street and just a bit further from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. While it’s a bit further afield from the city’s main attractions, the stroll afforded us the opportunity to explore neighborhoods with beautiful houses we other wised would have missed. And that walked saved our lives–or at least our next mornings–several times as it went by a fish and chipery that was open late night.

Flat 11′s three bedrooms sleep up to six people, with two double beds and one bunk. Its full kitchen and washer and dryer means you can save money by eating in and paying less in airlines baggage fees. And you’ll want to make use of the refrigerator to store cheeses from the nearby cheesemonger, to say nothing of cava from the local wine store.

Before booking an apartment, however, get details about the mattress. Many apartment rentals use cheaper mattresses; a few nights into a stay in a different otherwise amazing Edinburgh apartment, my wife booked herself a massage and I’d diagnosed myself with adult-onset scoliosis. Stay away from pull-out or sofa beds and get yourself a place with a proper bed that doesn’t do double duty as something else. Flat 11′s beds meet those criteria.

While Edinburgh has plenty of restaurants serving up delicious Scottish cuisine, save money and time by eating in occasionally.

As for the city itself, Edinburgh is a delicious, educational and fun destination. Beyond sheep balls, Scottish cuisine doesn’t have much of a reputation, good or bad. But between our gourmet four-course lunch at The Witchery, the freshest oysters I’ve ever eaten at Fishers Bistro in the city’s Leith district and retro bangers and mash at the Monster Mash, we ate well. Edinburgh Castle and nearby Rosslyn Chapel supplied ample intellectual stimulation. And the folks we met, many of whom were fellow traveling revelers in town for Hogmanay, were among the most friendly I’ve encountered. Every stop in a pub got us both a pint and a friend.

Flat 11
Ann House
32, St Bernard’s Crescent
Stockbridge
Edinburgh
Scotland

Photos: Courtesy aboutScotland

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