We stayed for three nights at James' apartment and had a wonderful time there throughout. Although James was out of town while we were visiting he had made ample arrangements in advance for us to meet up with a friend of his to pick up the keys, and to show us around the apartment.
The apartment itself was clean and comfortable and very welcoming. There was coffee and milk and orange juice stocked and available to us, as well as some bread from the local bakery/cafe Manna, which is a required daily visit. The area around the Easter Road is host to many neighbourhood food shops, should you want to stay at home and eat. And it's situated quite perfectly at one end of the Royal Mile, just five minutes walk from Holyrood Palace, and ten minutes from the (foot) of Arthur's Seat. It has the definite feel and energy of a local neighborhood, quite different from the tourist thoroughfares of the Royal Mile and Princes Street, although within easy walking distance. As such it felt good to return each day from our walks through town to a place which feels more like where people from Edinburgh actually live.
We look forward to coming back again, and again.