21212

Rooms

There are just 4 bedrooms, all generously sized and split over the 2nd and 3rd floors of the house. The numbering though, is predictably eccentric: instead of being numbered 1-4, like the hotel’s moniker they all contain 1s and 2s. Colours tend to be naturals that remind you of foods (of course) like mustard, sage, cream and coffee, and you’ll spot all the big designers from Osborne & Little to Sahco Hesslein, Romo and Designers Guild.

As in the rest of the house, the suites’ Georgian features and proportions provide a stunning backdrop for contemporary lighting and furnishings. There’s plenty of space to mooch, sleep, read or just gaze out over beautiful Edinburgh; on a fine day you can even see the Firth of Forth from bedrooms 1 and 21. Suites at the back (2 and 12) have wonderful views over the huge gardens leading up into woods, plus New-York style shutters to keep the place cosy on winter nights. We stayed in #12, and slept brilliantly as the linen was crisp and luxurious, the bed huge.

All suites have flatscreen TVs, free WiFi, good storage space and a walk-in shower or wet room. #12 and 1, on the 2nd floor, also have vast egg-shaped island baths that are made of stone and lit by mounted LED lights - ideal for long, indulgent soaks.

There are nice extra touches, too, like bathrobes, Noble Isle goodies and a decanter of sloe gin to soothe you after a hectic day at the Festival or tramping round the sights. You can ring down for complimentary tea or coffee whenever you like.

Beside the hotel is the Courtyard Apartment (sleeps 2-3). Private stairs lead up to the apartment, where the open-plan living area (with a single sofabed), kitchenette and sleeping area with a super-kingsize bed create a cosy home-from-home space, perfect for a couple. The bathroom boasts a walk-in shower and freestanding tub, and outside there’s a private courtyard.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

After a period of closure following Paul's passing, the restaurant has been taken on by renowned Scottish chef Stuart Ralston and given new life as Lyla, the fourth addition to his cluster of acclaimed eateries in Edinburgh.

Dinner is a 10-course tasting menu focused on seafood, with an optional curated wine flight alongside. All produce is sourced from Scotland; you can expect ingredients like Isle of Skye langoustine, wild bream and n25 caviar, artfully presented and almost too perfect to eat. This is fine dining in its truest form so it doesn't come cheap, but if Ralston's reputation is anything to go by, it'll be worth every penny. We can't wait to try it for ourselves!

Served on the first floor, breakfast is a simple continental affair but by all accounts just as delicious as you'd expect from the team at 21212.

If you’re staying on a night when the restaurant is closed (Sun-Tue), there are plenty of options for eating out. You could try one of Ralston's other restaurants, Aizle, Noto or Tipo. Also well worth trying is Ondine, a seafood restaurant perched above the Royal Mile.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• In August, Edinburgh throbs to the sounds of its famous Festival, a theatrical extravaganza. Book well in advance for a stay during this month
  
• Catch your breath after walking up to Arthur’s Seat - then have it taken away again by the views
  
• Check out the palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal family’s Edinburgh residence, including its abbey and the Queen's Gallery, which hosts visiting exhibitions from the Royal collections
  
• Immerse yourself in the medieval Old Town and wander along the Royal Mile, the capital’s most historic street
  
• Stroll up Calton Hill, behind the hotel, and enjoy views out to the Firth of Forth - sunsets from up here are particularly memorable
  
• Treat yourself to a spot of retail therapy on Prince’s Street
  
• Tickle your tastebuds with a visit to Edinburgh’s famous farmers' market on Castle Terrace on Saturday mornings
  
• Pop up to Edinburgh Castle, which lords it over the city. Hear the One o’Clock Gun booming from the battlements, admire the Scottish Crown Jewels, and visit the National War Museum of Scotland
  
• Get inspired by the old masters at the National Galleries of Scotland
  
• Visit the National Museum of Scotland and see ancient Egyptian artefacts to modern-day innovations
  
• Gen up on your plant species at the Royal Botanic Gardens, and marvel at its Victorian Palm House
  
• There are great golf courses a short drive away

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Plantlife / flora
• Shopping / markets

Kids

21212 does not accept children under 5, and has no extra beds or baby cots. It's really an adults-only place.

Family friendly accommodation:

The only room which could take a family of 3 is the Courtyard Apartment which has a sofa bed.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

21212 is situated in the centre of Edinburgh in Scotland, a 10-minute walk from Waverley Station, Prince's Street and the main shopping areas, and 5 minutes from the Edinburgh Playhouse.

By Air
Fly into Edinburgh Airport, which is served by many domestic and international airlines. Alternatively, fly to Glasgow and drive here (1.5 hours). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
You can get a taxi from Edinburgh and Glasgow airports. Alternatively you can hire a car, take the Edinburgh Shuttle (a door-to-door shared taxi service which is cheaper), or take a bus into the centre and walk to the hotel.

By Train
Edinburgh’s Waverley station is a mainline station, reachable from London and Birmingham in 4.5 hours, Glasgow in 45 minutes and York in just over 2 hours. 21212 is a short taxi ride away.

By Car
Edinburgh is a great city to explore on foot so there’s no need to bring a car. But if you want to hire one, see our car rental recommendations. There is no private car park at 21212 so you'd need to leave your car in a city car park, or on the metred spaces opposite the hotel (free in the evenings and at weekends).

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to the UK and getting around