From bespoke kiltmakers to boutique whisky blenders, there’s much to see and do in Edinburgh. But, like those blended bottles of scotch, any visitors to the capital city need a strong, dependable base; somewhere to start with spirit and sturdiness in equal well-made measure.
Thankfully, such a place exists in the very heart of the Scottish stronghold. On the city’s famous Royal Mile, the newly-relaunched Cheval Old Town Chambers has seen luxury hospitality company Cheval Collection open a new outpost; which includes 24 new apartments, a brand-new reception area with a dedicated retail offering, and a lounge available for guest use. And, while the 40-year-old brand initially only offered long stays across its property portfolio (with minimum stays of three months), the dawn of online booking — and particularly the pandemic — has meant that these newer residences now offer hotel-style stays of just one or two nights.
“This hybrid model served us particularly well during the pandemic,” says John Philipson, Chief Operating Officer of the Cheval Collection, “when we saw increased demand for self-contained living spaces combined with five-star service.
“As a business,” he adds, “we recognised the opportunity to raise the profile of serviced apartments at a time when customers were acutely aware of the importance of hygiene and social distancing. Partly as a result of the ‘AirBnB effect’, today’s customer is more likely to consider alternative accommodation options, and because of this we foresee an even larger demand for serviced apartments in the future”.
Philipson isn’t wrong. When Gentleman’s Journal recently took a trip to Edinburgh, we checked into Cheval Old Town Chambers — and were struck by how delicately it walked the fine line between ‘hotel’ and ‘apartment building’. This isn’t a property that feels like a transient hotel, but neither do you feel like you’re intruding into somebody’s home. A major factor in putting guests at ease is the delightful, airy reception and lounge space, where you can get to know and socialise with the others staying in the property.
“The lounge area within the property is extremely multifunctional,” explains Philipson. “It’s designed to provide a tranquil space where guests can relax by the fire, read a book, or mingle with other guests. The large table in the space can be used as a working or creative area. The portrait above the fireplace features photographer Kevin McCollum, who shot and produced the artwork that can be seen throughout the building.
“And the portrait is complimented by an inviting fire and traditional Scottish whiskies showcased in large glass cabinets — naturally available for guests to purchase”.
From the striking shots to the sumptuous spirits, there’s a thoroughly Scottish feel to Cheval Old Town Chambers — as there should be. And the building, which is made up of various adjoining properties, perfectly captures the labyrinthine feel of Scotland’s capital city; twisting and turning as you navigate your way to your own apartment. But was this a distinct architectural choice?
“Yes, the history of Edinburgh’s Old Town is reflected in its architecture,” says Philipson, “with iconic closes and cobbled streets which contribute to the city’s unique atmosphere. Locally based property developer and owner Chris Stewart Group wanted to retain that feel and sense of history during the development of Cheval Old Town Chambers.
“The various buildings that make up the property are linked,” he adds, “but in a way that can feel somewhat chaotic for a first-time visitor; we think this is part of Cheval Old Town Chambers’ charm! As a result of the modernisation, it must be said that present day guests are significantly more comfortable than their historical predecessors, when living conditions were less than ideal…”
And this history, the tales of crypts and vaults and entire lost streets, can all be found on the doorstep of Cheval Old Town Chambers. The company’s hybrid model may be modern, but the property is surrounded by the heritage that draws many people to Edinburgh in the first place. And this, says Philipson, was one of the reasons the prime location was chosen.
“Cheval Old Town Chambers fronts directly onto the Royal Mile,” he notes. “Opposite St Giles’ Cathedral, in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town – arguably one of the most historic places in the UK.
"The history of Edinburgh’s Old Town is reflected in the architecture..."
“Because Chris Stewart Group wanted the development to embody the rich history of a building that was most recently a Registry Office but is situated in the middle of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“And the latest extension means guests are now able to directly access the property from this historic thoroughfare, providing a ‘wow factor’ on arrival and placing visitors right in the heart of the action”.
It certainly achieves that. Throughout the maze-like corridors and in each of the splendidly-appointed apartments you see here, there are subtle touches and trinkets that hark back to the history and heritage of Edinburgh. “In the apartments,” reveals Philipson, “the sliding doors on some of the bathrooms were repurposed from when the building was operated by Edinburgh City Council”.
It’s just one of many quirks and decorative touches displayed throughout the hotel — many of which the designers and team at Chris Stewart Group ensured were built into the development. It’s pure patriotism; a pride taken in local culture that’s also reflected in the on-site restaurant, Luckenbooths, which utilises only the very best in Scottish produce. And, even when you step outside the front door, there are still secrets to be found on the fantastic façade of Cheval Old Town Chambers.
“One of our favourite stories concerns the strike marks on the stones outside the building,” says Philipson, “featured in some of the framed portraits on display in the property. These marks could easily be dismissed as simple graffiti, but the true story is more interesting.
“Back when the city’s streetlights were gas powered, before the advent of electricity, every evening workers would strike the nearest stone with a match equivalent to produce a flame, resulting in the marks on the wall. For our guests to appreciate the building’s history and character, we decided to retain as many of these features as possible”.
Want more luxury residences? Introducing Park Modern, West London’s latest luxury development…
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