Jo Fletcher-Cross finds an affordable place to stay in Scotland’s festival city
Traditionally, affordable accommodation in Edinburgh during August’s festivals is rarer than hen’s teeth. So, I was surprised to find rooms on offer at CityLiveIn’s Edinburgh Grove Street location from £50 a night. The catch? It’s only available during July and August — the rest of the year it’s student accommodation.
It’s an easy journey from my arrival point of Edinburgh Airport: tram (or bus) to Haymarket and then a five-minute walk to Grove Street.
I’m in a studio apartment, which is reasonably spacious. There’s a kitchenette with microwave/combi oven and a two-ring hob, plus kettle, sink and fridge. A small cupboard contains an ironing board and iron. The unusually shaped corner room has the advantage of a whole wall of windows, so there’s plenty of natural light. Almost separated completely from the entrance area and kitchen is the bedroom, which contains a comfortable, small double bed and a large desk and chair. As you might expect from a room aimed at students, there’s plenty of space to work, so this would be an excellent choice for business travellers.
The compact bathroom contains a tiny shower cubicle with a very effective shower — shower gel/shampoo is provided — along with towels: not always the case in this kind of accommodation.
Reception staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful, and made me feel very welcome on arrival. Rooms are serviced every four days, though can be done more often on request and at extra cost.
It’s not perfect: the curtain rail is held together by tape and the plug sockets by the bed don’t work, but it’s very comfortable, easy to use and in a good location. Whether visitors are in the Scottish capital for the festival or for work, CityLiveIn is a decent choice at a very reasonable price.
69 Grove Street, Edinburgh EH3 8FD
citylivein.com
Rooms from £50
