Edinburgh's heart beats at this elegant flat, nestled in a quiet building near Cowgate. Couples and travelers will appreciate the homely touches throughout, including a fully-equipped kitchen to whip up homemade meals and share with loved ones around the dining table.
Reviews
7.87.8 out of 10
Good
Entire apartment
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 437 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Pet-friendly
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
Cosy Flat in Historic Old Town - Pass the Keys
Enjoy easy access to everything from this perfectly located home base. Stay in a bright, well-equipped 1-bed apartment set within a historic listed building on St Mary’s Street, right off Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile. Perfectly located for exploring the Old Town, with fast Wi-Fi, a well equipped kitchen and everything you need for a relaxed city stay.
1 Bedroom Fourth Floor Apartment (No Lift Access!)
Dine in at the table or grab a tasty local takeaway 🍴.
Relaxing Unwind on the sofa and enjoy the Smart TV (Your own login for apps are required)
WiFi throughout — perfect for work or leisure.
OUT & ABOUT
Edinburgh Castle Perched atop ancient volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most iconic fortress. Highlights include the Royal Palace with the Crown Jewels, the medieval St Margaret’s Chapel, and the daily firing of the One O’Clock Gun. Guided tours offer rich historical context amidst panoramic city views.
The Royal Mile and Old Town This historic stretch links the Castle to Holyrood Palace, weaving through medieval closes, St Giles’ Cathedral, the Real Mary King’s Close, and independent shops and cafés. It’s the city’s beating heart, offering a deep dive into Edinburgh’s medieval past.
Palace of Holyroodhouse & Holyrood Abbey At the eastern end of the Royal Mile stands the official Scottish residence of the monarchy. Visitors can tour Mary Queen of Scots’ chambers, the elegant State Apartments, and the ruins of the 12th‑century abbey.
Arthur’s Seat & Salisbury Crags This extinct volcano in Holyrood Park offers an accessible hike with stunning panoramic vistas of the city and Firth of Forth. The neighbouring Salisbury Crags add dramatic cliffside appeal.
The Scotch Whisky Experience Located near Castlehill, this immersive tour guides visitors through Scotland’s whisky-making tradition, complete with tastings and a ride through the production process.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Free) A serene 72-acre oasis founded in 1670. Wander through themed gardens—Rock, Chinese Hillside, Native Plant collections—then enjoy refreshments at the riverside café.
Festivals & Events Edinburgh erupts with culture, particularly in August: Fringe, Book Festival, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Castle Esplanade. Year-round, catch choral services, theatre at the Playhouse/New Theatre, and concerts at the Usher Hall.
With shops, restaurants, attractions, and excellent transport links all within walking distance, this apartment is the perfect base to experience Edinburgh at its best.
Guests have full access to the property with self check in and out.
SELF CHECK IN Check-in time is after 4pm and check-out time is before 10am.
Please note: You will be charged £100.00 for lost keys, broken keys and key call outs so please be careful with them. A £30.00 charge will also be applied if guests check in early or check out late without permission or do not place the keys back in the key safe on their departure.
CLEANING/ LINEN The property will be cleaned and prepared with linen and towels for your arrival. Mid-stay cleans are not included, but please get in touch if you would like to pay to book a clean or fresh linen and towels during your stay.
We will also provide a limited amount of consumables (toilet roll, travel size shampoo/conditioner etc.) to kick-start your stay and can recommend a local store where you can easily purchase more when you are settled in.
POLICIES & RULES Please respect the neighbours and keep the noise down. No noise after 10 p.m. Indoor shoes/slippers only please. Please use the table mats and coasters to protect the furniture. When leaving the property please make sure you lock all the doors and windows. When leaving the property please turn the thermostat down to 10 degrees.
My property management team will be around 24/7 via email or phone to provide any assistance my guests may need. Pass the Keys® provides a hotel standard of service for short-let properties. The property is professionally maintained and cleaned. We guarantee professionally cleaned linens and toiletries. We also provide 24/7 guest support and local personal service before and during your stay. The local community-based team of Pass the Keys® personally inspects the property and certifies the home has met Pass the Keys®’s Property Readiness Standard. STL License Application Number: EH-95335-T
From 24 July 2026, the City of Edinburgh will introduce a Visitor Levy (sometimes referred to as a tourist tax). This is a 5% charge on paid overnight accommodation.
Here’s what guests should know:
The levy is 5% of the accommodation cost, calculated before VAT
It applies to the first 5 nights only of a stay (for example, if you stay 7 nights, the levy only applies to nights 1–5)
The rate is 5% year-round, with no seasonal variation
It applies to stays from 24 July 2026 onwards
Bookings made and paid for (in full or part) before 1 October 2025 will not be subject to the levy, even if the stay is after July 2026
Why this may feel unclear
Across Scotland, different local authorities have voted for different approaches — some areas have introduced a 5% levy, others 7%, and some have chosen not to introduce a levy at all. This means rules vary by location.
At present, there is also no standard way for booking platforms to collect the levy automatically. Local guidance suggests the levy should be included in the total price guests pay, but booking platforms (including Airbnb) do not yet offer a clear mechanism to add this at checkout.
We, along with many hosts across Scotland, are awaiting further clarity and a more streamlined system ,ideally one where the levy is clearly shown and collected at the time of booking, as is common in many European cities.
Our commitment to guests
As required from 1 October 2025, we are legally obligated to inform guests of this upcoming levy in advance. Our aim is to be transparent and ensure there are no surprises.
We expect further guidance well before the levy comes into effect and will update our listings accordingly. By the time this applies, we hope the process will be clearer and easier for everyone.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch, we’re always happy to help.
IMPORTANT: On behalf of our host at Pass the Keys, we require guest verification facilitated by Truvi (Previously called Superhog). Upon confirming your booking, Truvi will contact the lead booker via a secure link, providing detailed instructions for the verification process.
The online verification requires a government-issued photo ID and a credit or debit card. During this process, you may choose between a refundable GBP 500 deposit (plus GBP 10 transaction fee currency equivalent) or purchase a non-refundable damage waiver of GBP 40 (currency equivalent) to cover potential damages during your stay.
Once the verification process is successfully completed, check-in information will be provided. If you opted in for a deposit, this will be refunded via credit/debit card after your stay, subject to an inspection of the property.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the apartment: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Street parking available
Parking on site (surcharge)
Limited on-site self parking
Kitchen
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Microwave
Refrigerator
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
Bedroom
Bedsheets provided
Sofa bed
Bathroom
1 bathroom
Shower
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Entertainment
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
Up to 9 kg per pet
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 9 kg per pet)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
About the area
Old Town Edinburgh, a neighbourhood in Edinburgh, is home to this apartment. Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle are notable landmarks, and travellers looking to shop may want to visit Grassmarket and Princes Street. Check out an event or a game at Murrayfield Stadium, and consider making time for Edinburgh Zoo, a top attraction not to be missed. Visit our Edinburgh travel guide
Is Cosy Flat in Historic Old Town - Pass the Keys pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.
How much is parking at Cosy Flat in Historic Old Town - Pass the Keys?
Self-parking is available for a fee.
What time is check-in at Cosy Flat in Historic Old Town - Pass the Keys?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Cosy Flat in Historic Old Town - Pass the Keys?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Cosy Flat in Historic Old Town - Pass the Keys located?
Located in Old Town Edinburgh, this apartment building is within a 10-minute walk of Royal Mile, University of Edinburgh and Grassmarket. Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street are also within 15 minutes. St Andrew Square Tram Stop is 13 minutes by foot and Princes Street Tram Stop is 15 minutes.
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Cosy Flat in Historic Old Town - Pass the Keys Reviews
Reviews
Good
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great location and facilities within the apartment. Also great when we had a slight issue they fixed it instantly.
Rosie
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified
8/10 Good
Shannon G.
23 Jun 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
Great location/No fix to heating issues
This is a great location, has the amenities you would want, it is up steps but that is mentioned, and it’s a good “no frills” little space. That said, I always check for heated spaces and this one says it is. And it is…. It just didn’t work while we were there. Attempts at troubleshooting or fixing the issue seemed to be passed along and a long and along until our 3 day stay was over. I was very cold and disappointed in my experience here due to this.
Wonderful location a short walk from Edinburgh Waverly train station and a block from the Royal Mile. There are three flights of stairs which guests should be aware of.
Great location to explore Edinburgh, great food right on the block. It was a little difficult to check in—a couple of things were a bit off in instructions like the picture of the key box was outdated, etc.
Eileen A.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
James G.
16 Sept 2025
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
We had absolutely no hot water for the bath. And the electric shower would be scalding hot for a few seconds, then freezing cold. The lack of a hot bath and/or consistent shower at the end of the long day made the stay unpleasant overall. The place was also not very clean. Dust and dirt in the corners, and the biggest spider I've ever seen. However, the location was perfect, within walking distance of many attractions.
I had serious issues that were quickly identified and communicated but not resolved or even attempted to. Terrible host, and Terrible policies. Dirty property with many bodily fluid stains on bedding and mattresses
Pros: Perfect location for experiencing Royal Mile. Comfortable Apartment. Seamless check in/out. Good communication.
Cons: Had to buy our own TP almost empty roll on arrival. Purchased our own trash bags. Couldn’t find any in the apt. Mold in shower.
Arriving at the flat and getting situated, we immediately felt like the description and photos of the flat were optimistic. While not dirty, it just looked and felt well-worn and not well maintained. As we looked around, we found an open packet of stale digestives and an old piece of French bread in the cupboard making us question how much effort was put into cleaning the flat. We looked for a coffee maker or kettle, but found only a dirty espresso maker and an electric kettle with a red “Failed Electrical Inspection” sticker stuck to it. We wanted to go down to the deck described in the listing and looked in the specified drawer, and all the others, with no key. We called the management company to relay the missing key and the other issues such as the “failed Inspection” electric kettle and cleanliness which they said they would talk to the owner about. Late that evening, we turned on the hot water, but it never got hot. We made another call to the management company, they said they would call the owner. We finally got hot water after 24 hours. Turns out someone (owner) had forgotten to remotely turn on the boiler. I found this unacceptable and requested compensation to which they said they would contact the owner. 2 weeks later, I still have no resolution despite multiple emails. I can not recommend the property due to the inconsistencies between the photos and description with the reality of the flat combined with the complete lack of response from the owner.