Knight Residence is perfectly situated for visitors to Edinburgh.
“Watch out for the hairdryer, it’s pretty powerful,” says Chris. “I was the last person to use it and look at me.”
Chris is to put it kindly somewhat wanting in the follicle department.
The affable receptionist goes on to have an enthusiastic blether with my better half about the previous week’s instalment of Doctor Who. Scary stuff, apparently.
He’d been waiting for us in the car park of The Knight Residence, ready to grab our suitcases and whisk us up to our ground floor apartment with a smile, leaving us in our two-bedroomed self catering flat feeling happy and relaxed after a very friendly welcome.
You know that feeling when you arrive at a really good holiday accommodation and, as the door swishes shut, you can almost hear all the hassles and pressures of modern life clatter away down the hall and disappear? That.
The Knight Residence has comfort written all over it (not literally it would ruin the upholstery).
From the deep couches in the living room to the “go on, have a wee snooze” mattresses and plump pillows in the bedrooms.
It’s spotless and tasteful and for those preferring a quiet night in to a night on the tiles there’s a large TV with plenty of channels, a Blu-ray player (there’s an extensive DVD library in the hallway) and a CD player.
The kitchen has all mod cons, including a dishwasher (something which always makes my lazy heart jump for joy) and a welcome pack of cereal, bread, jam, milk and the like.
In other words, it has everything you could possibly need except a butler and a private helicopter, although, to be fair, I don’t really need those. But, you know, next time…
Edinburgh used to be my old stomping ground so it’s always good to return to its cobbled streets to see if my stomping is still up to scratch.
The Knight Residence is perfectly located in Lauriston Street, just a short stomp to the Grassmarket drinking dens, the quirky shops of pretty Victoria Street and bustling Lothian Road.
If it’s culture and history you’re after, Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile are just a five-minute stroll away, and you’ll be at the Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street in 10, ditto the Scottish National Gallery at the foot of the Mound.
If you’re more into purchasing than paintings, cross the road to Princes Street and George Street for retail heaven (or shopping hell if you’re anything like me my wife sensibly left me at a man-creche, or “pub” as they’re known).
On the second night we opted to head due south to the Bruntsfield area.
Walking across the wide grassy expanse of the Meadows and then up onto Bruntsfield Links we passed groups of people, work clothes on, golf clubs in hand, taking advantage of the late summer sun to enjoy some pitch and putt on the world’s oldest short hole golf course on the way home.
You can play free, so bring your sticks if sinking a few balls is your cup of tee.
Sinking pints is more my idea of fun so we dodged the jolly golfers and made for Montpeliers bar on Bruntsfield Place.
It’s had a recent refurb and is looking dandy for it. It does feel like a bit of a hipster-magnet why not try the fun new pastime of counting beards and waxed moustaches but it’s relaxed and has some damn fine beers.
Ensconced at an outside table, watching the Edinburgers pass by, was an ideal way to while away the time until the sun went down before heading back to our home-from-home to chill out.
Stretching out on the comfy couches in front of a warm telly we reflected on a fun return to the Capital. And if you’re planning a visit, The Knight Residence will provide the perfect base for a quick break or a longer stay.
Just watch out for that hair dryer. Now, does anyone have the number of a good toupee shop?
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