While I and my fiancee only got to stay in Edinburgh for a couple of nights, we had a great time at James' apartment. He greeted us and let us drop our luggage off early, as we had came in on the sleeper train from London. The included breakfast food was a huge help, and the recommended Manna House was a fantastic bakery to get a quick bite and some coffee in. Depending on the amount of luggage you have, you could pretty easily walk there from the train station (we elected to take a bus, since our luggage was heavier). The neighborhood feels safe and walking to both the Old and New Town is very doable. We had cloudy/rainy weather both days, but the apartment was still warm and inviting. James gave us some excellent advice--buy your tickets to see Edinburgh Castle online instead of at the gate, thereby avoiding what can be a formidable line. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, and James' apartment is great for a side trip or even a longer stay.