I was a solo female traveler at Paul’s flat. The location is great, but particularly if you are traveling alone, in winter (it gets dark very early) or if you are planning to self-cater. The bus stop with LOTS of buses going into town is just downstairs and on the opposite corner, so no long creepy walks in dark lonely streets. There’s a supermarket directly across the road and tons of little restaurants and cafes within a few paces. Even the walk home from town (if you mislay your day pass for the bus and are too stubborn to buy another ticket, like me) really isn’t that far. So location is a straight up 5 stars.
The communication with Paul was also very good. He’s very friendly and helpful and is a native English speaker (nothing against non-native speakers, but it can make phone communication difficult at times).
Next, the flat. As I stayed for several days I was very grateful for the washing machine. There are TWO WiFi networks so the signal is good in every room. There is one large bathroom with tub/shower and toilet and a second tiny one with a toilet and a shower head, so I never had to queue for more than a minute or so. There is a tv with Netflix, a hair dryer, ironing board (if you’re into that kind of thing), and a dishwasher. There are a number of spices, oil, salt, etc. in the kitchen which are to share. In short, whenever I thought “hmm, I wish I had a ...”, it was there. FIVE stars.
To the bedroom. I would not recommend staying in room 5 with 2 people. I found it a squeeze with just me and my suitcase. All the rooms except for room 2 face the street and that can be LOUD. I slept with earplugs every night. The mattress was also extremely uncomfortable, lumpy and with a deep trough on one side. On the plus side, this is the first lodging I’ve stayed in in ages that provided enough coat hangers and the little desk and chair were very handy.
So the places loses a star for the mattress (and nearly lost two—the bed is, after all, key), but I was SO pleased with everything else that I didn’t have the heart. I stayed in FOUR different lodgings while in Edinburgh and this was by far my favorite!