After a week of exploring the Scottish Highlands and island beaches, I found myself falling more in love with the country by the second. Still, as a city girl at heart, I was bursting with excitement as we drove into beautiful Edinburgh, a city dripping with heart, charm, and history. And a stay at Native Edinburgh had us right in the heart of the action.

You might also like this local’s guide on things to do in Edinburgh.

While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.

A review of Native Edinburgh

A warm welcome

The exterior of Native Edinburgh is discreet, unlike the neighbouring hotels with oversized signage and expansive lobbies. I immediately loved this because coming “home” after a day of exploring felt more like I was returning as a local to my charming flat in the city centre (hey, a girl can dream), as opposed to a typical tourist returning to a chain hotel.

After walking through the main doors, you’ll enter Counter, Native’s on-site cafe and bar. I’ll go more into the food and drink there later, but suffice it to say for now that the design is stunning and sets the tone for an ultra-sophisticated and elegant stay the moment you walk in. Imagined by UK interior design studio Burns Design, the interior is decked out with green velvet booths and retro statement lighting, becoming the perfect backdrop for morning coffee or an evening tipple before you retire to your suite.

Check-in for the hotel was quick, easy, and friendly. We had a tiny car that worked for their parking arrangements but just barely, so take that as a fair warning. It’s probably best to come on foot if you have the option.

An oasis in the city

bedroom at Native Edinburgh
Get cosy in a chic bedroom at Native Edinburgh

Native’s serviced apartments all come with fully stocked kitchens and really cater to those who want to feel like a local when they travel. We stayed in a one-bedroom flat which was the perfect amount of space for a long weekend (or even longer).

There was a generously-sized entryway where we kept jackets and suitcases out of the way when we didn’t want to store them in the living space. The two main rooms were cozy yet really well-designed with everything we needed.

The living space and kitchen were combined into one modestly sized room, but the kitchen appliances were fully integrated, making the space feel super sleek and high-end. I never felt like I was sitting in the kitchen when I was hanging out in the main living area, which I really appreciated. If we had wanted to cook a full meal, we definitely could have, but since we were only in town for two nights, we decided to take advantage of the local food scene. We did, however, utilise the fridge with a full bottle of wine and made coffee in the room each morning. The staff had the fridge stocked with a small bottle of milk for coffee and tea upon our arrival, which is a touch I really appreciated.

The living space also boasted a wardrobe and desk area, which made it incredibly easy to get some work done while we were travelling. It also ended up being a great place to get ready for dinner, thanks to the abundance of electrical outlets and the large mirror on the wardrobe.

Kitchen at Native Edinburgh
Perfect for longer stays, the kitchen is inclusive of everything you need to prepare meals

While the sleeping space was on the smaller side, it had a king-sized bed, and included a second television, which felt really luxurious. The bed was extremely comfortable with super soft linens, and the curtains did a great job of keeping the light out, so we had an excellent night’s sleep both nights we were there.

The bathroom was also fitted with nice, clean, and modern finishes, and though the lighting didn’t exactly do anyone any favours (they rarely do, though), we ended up getting ready in the living space next to the wardrobe for the most part, so this wasn’t an issue at all. I loved that the vanity had really spacious drawers so that we could unpack some of our toiletries, rather than spreading them haphazardly over the countertop.

Food and drinks

Counter, the cafe and bar on the main level, serves breakfast, lunch, and cocktails/nibbles in the evening. The breakfast menu is simple but is super convenient to fuel up before you head out for a day of exploring. The lunch menu is a little more ambitious, though we didn’t get a chance to take advantage since we were out and about for most of the day. My favourite part, though, was the wine list. Counter has a really great selection of natural wines, and some incredible nibbles to go alongside, like black truffle crisps or zesty lemon white beans. It’s a perfect venue for an appetiser and tipple before heading out to dinner or finishing the evening with a yummy nightcap.

Perfectly positioned

The location was one of Native’s best selling points. It’s in the heart of the city to see the most popular sights, but also a quick jaunt on foot to Stockbridge, one of the most charming neighbourhoods to explore in Edinburgh. We walked to tons of incredible shops and were spoiled for choice with bars and restaurants. On that note, don’t miss brunch at Urban Angel—the sausage roll with a za’atar fried egg & chilli jam was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten!

If you happen to be there on a Sunday, you can walk over to the Stockbridge Market and pick up some local breads, cheeses, and produce to whip up a delicious meal in the kitchen back at your apartment. Or, if you’re in for a short amount of time like we were, stock up on some fresh pastries and take a scenic stroll along the Water of Leith.

Find out more about Native Edinburgh

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