I don't define luxury as a 5 star hotel with all their fancy amenities and confines that are sealed from the real world. Looking out of every window of Karen's flat and feeling connected to the grandeur of Edinburgh, this is luxury. Ideally located with many shops at your doorstep–– once you arrive there's an immediate intimacy with how it might feel living here. Karen was especially responsive to my roundabout way of communicating arrival. I'll sum up by saying: Is it the Ritz Carlton? No. But in my experience for a true taste of the city with all the normal comfort a weary traveler may need (waking up to coffee & those views!) the 80 steps are so very worth it.