There’s been a much-needed conversation recently about the general downsides of Airbnb, and in my experience, many are true. We have all stayed in the place that costs many $ or £ a night, only to show up and have it feel like the equivalent of somebody slapping a cheap Insta filter on a tiny flat and calling it good. 8 Drummond, on the other hand, is the best of Airbnb: a gorgeous home, full of personal touches, with communicative helpful hosts in a beautiful neighbourhood.
I have been travelling to Edinburgh my whole life, so it’s rare that I get to truly experience something new… such as New Town! I just haven’t stayed there before, which is why I chose 8 Drummond. While the pictures were gorgeous and certainly gave enough of a positive impression to compel me to book, walking inside left me breathless. This flat is, simply put, gorgeous and unique. The beautiful windows with antique glass, the carefully selected artwork, the comfortable bedrooms and bathrooms… 8 Drummond feels simultaneously like a fantastic voyage into the 19th century, and also like returning to your comfortable home.
The balance between history and comfort is truly astounding. The windows are delightfully drafty, which made cuddling up by the warmth of the stove on Bonfire Night, on the three massive couches, feel even more cozy. The kitchen was perfectly appointed for all of our cooking needs, and while extremely modernly renovated, it did not detract from the classic feel. The gorgeously tiled bathrooms matched perfectly to the antique doors, complete with brass keyholes. It’s the kind of place where you’re certain it might be haunted—but absolutely by a nice, kind ghost happy to have your company.
There were four of us traveling and while we are all family, we of course love our space to spread out. The bedrooms here were all spacious and private, and unlike many places where we have stayed, all of the beds and pillows were extremely comfortable. My husband and I were in the master, and I slept extremely soundly every night.
New Town itself is fairly quiet, and even on Bonfire Night (which this year got a little rowdy), it wasn’t too loud. The mornings too were very peaceful. It is a short walk into Old Town, and the hosts have put together a great list of nearby restaurants and shops that are very worthwhile. The flat is located close to a Tesco and not far from a Sainsbury’s.
8 Drummond is extremely easy for those driving, both from a traffic standpoint and parking. As somebody who resides primarily in Los Angeles, this is something I automatically look for in anywhere I travel. There is plenty of pay-parking out front (the machine takes coins, or an app), and the drive in and out of Edinburgh from this area was quite simple and rarely congested.
From a disability standpoint, 8 Drummond is not wheelchair accessible as it is located on the top floor of a walk-up building. Two of us in my party are mobility impaired, and while the stairs are steep, the handrail is sturdy and the walk up and down wasn’t too strenuous—and the flat itself is very easy to navigate, so we had no issue.
The property manager is very kind and extremely responsive. We had absolutely no issues during our stay, but did have a rail delay back to London, and the manager was so nice as to help us with the situation.
I can’t recommend staying here enough. It is truly an exceptional experience, the kind that feels so rare and special that it’s almost astounding that it exists. I will absolutely stay here on my future trips to Edinburgh without any hesitation.