Flat 7, 12 Simpson loan
First the flat, lovely, bright, clean, comfortable and warm. Plenty of cutlery, utensils, good oven and a truly refreshing shower - one of those that pours water from holes in the ceiling - very chic! Bed was comfy as was the flat in general.
Location - for access to the shopping centres, tourist sites, grass market and Cowgate, I'm not sure you could get better, literally only a 10 minute walk to the Royal mile, bang in the centre of tourist Edinburgh.
The management company provided good communication, key handover was very easy and easy parking nearby.
Now for the downside - the building works, oh the building works, the Quatermile has been having building works for some time and is not due to be finished, by the looks of things any time soon) - info came from my cousin an Edinbrough resident. They are building new buildings and renovating old, the work starts at 7am Monday to Saturday at least they were on the Saturday we were there, and finishes around 6pm. A lot quieter after that, only road noise and people walking and talking as they go by and, as you're on the first floor, if the window is open you can hear every word of what they are saying. Now as I say the apartment was warm, for me a touch too warm , so opened the bedroom window, unfortunately the window is just over the gate down to the meadows or the front/other end of the building, this gate slams, creaks, grinds and crunches as it opens and slams shut and appears to be well used at all times of the day and night. If the window is shut all was quiet.
Now I know the building works, passers by, pedestrians and cars etc are not the fault of this apartment owners, but the photos on booking.com and the descriptions say nothing about building works, which I feel is a little disingenuous. Building work was mentioned in an email, but only to say it shouldn't bother me and that it was 'ongoing', perhaps somewhat of a little understatement. Which is why I've knocked a star off, once the work is done or if you stay at the side facing the meadows, it would be much quieter - although less to look at!
the noise was a nuisance but copable with as long as windows shut during the day and early morning, Sunday was nice and quiet, but still some work going on. We weren't in the flat much during the day, so really the only problem was first thing, but again if you are an early riser or want to squeeze the most out of your stay in Edinburgh, it probably wouldn't be too much of an issue.