I don’t know about you, but I’m all about the staycation this year. As much as I’d love to be sipping Margaritas on some exotic beach with azure waters to cool down in, the uncertain and confusing travel restrictions are too much for my anxiety levels.
Like Kylie and the rest of the EGG team, this summer I’ve kept my passport in the drawer and have instead been enjoying Scotland’s spectacular surroundings. And I’ve also taken the time to stop and immerse myself back into Edinburgh, a city I’ve lived in all my life, enjoying this stunner of an award-winning destination through the eyes of a tourist. I even booked myself a little staycation in the city centre, just five miles from my home!
A Luxurious Home from Home
I opted to stay at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand, a luxury all-apartment Residence that offer EGG Card Holders 15% off bookings. Ideally located in St Andrew Square in a former bank, behind the classic exterior of the building, 50 super stylish and design-led apartments await - including the swanky Penthouse complete with outside terrace and skyline views. Whether it’s a family short break, girls’ weekend or romantic escape you’re after, this is the place for you.
Apartments start at a very reasonable £145, with the deluxe two bedroom apartment which we stayed in, costing from £325 which is a total bargain, if you ask me. Light and bright, overlooking St Andrew Square and packed with original features including high ceilings and beautiful period details, our home from home was generous to say the least. It boasted a huge living and dining area with sumptuous interiors, well kitted out kitchen area and two lush king-size bedrooms with amazing bathrooms. It’s the type of place you wished you lived…and let’s be honest, it was big enough.
Sophisticated Sips
I could’ve stayed locked up in this luxury bolt hole for days. But alas, with so much on our doorstep, we had to explore…after some cocktails and afternoon tea at The Register Club, of course. Located just one floor up from our apartment, this exclusive club-style bar oozes sophistication. It’s famed for its delicious and unusual cocktails, but also offers savoury dishes and a gourmet afternoon tea (15% off for EGG Card Holders) with a contemporary twist.
The innovative cocktails, made using luxury spirits liqueurs and fortified wines, more than lived up to the hype – they were sublime. First-Rate (£10) made with Laguvulin 16 year old and the Atrium (£10) with Grey Goose vodka, organic honey and lemon balm vermouth were particular stand outs. And let’s not forget the food. From bar snacks and bites to larger plates and the much-talked about afternoon tea (15% off for EGG Card Holders!), the Register Club’s food was seriously impressive!
After lunch, we ventured outdoors and took the kids up Calton Hill for those incredible views. Next was Princes Street Gardens which they adored, running around and marvelling at the castle above them. I’m normally using the Gardens as a short cut to somewhere so it was actually lovely to stop and just take in those surroundings. We even walked up to the Royal Mile and explored the Old Town. Then, it was back for dinner.
Dreamy Dinner
Our destination was Gaucho, just across the road from Cheval Edinburgh Grand. The Argentinean steak restaurant feels really special with its contemporary sophisticated interiors. Atmospheric, moody and a little bit glitzy all rolled into one, it’s a great destination for a night out…even more so as Gaucho now offers a free glass of Domaine Chandon Brut to EGG Card Holders when dining day or night. And it’s not just steak. Yes, Gaucho prides itself on Argentina's best free-to-roam, grass-fed Aberdeen Angus beef, but also offers mains like pan fried sea bream, grilled lamb cutlet or vegetarian options if steak’s not your bag.
After enjoying some delicious cocktails in the bar (the £11 Rhubarb Blush was more-ish!), we descended downstairs to the dining room for an impeccable steak dinner. Starters of refreshing seabass ceviche with pickles chilli dressing (£12), seared diver scallops with spiced mango puree (£16) and burrata with a tomato salad infused with winter truffle (£11.50), perfectly balanced the meaty mains. The Lomo fillet steak (£31) was stunning. Desserts are equally appealing, but sadly for us we were beaten by the steaks and had no room left for a sweet treat.
Breakfast of Champions
After a blissful night’s sleep, the kids were fed breakfast from the comfort of our kitchen, before we took the streets for a spot of morning shopping to work up an appetite. The opening of the new shopping precinct St James Quarter (hello & Other Stories and huge ZARA!) is undeniably impressive and our wallets much lighter after a trip to the new LEGO store. But we also ventured down Thistle Street to check out the independent boutiques and strolled down Dundas Street into the New Town. Then, it was back to St Andrew Square for the late breakfast I’d been excited for all week: Dishoom.
Served from 8am to 11.45am on weekdays and from 9am to 11.45am on weekends, you can expect everything from a cooked breakfast to the famous Dishoom Naan roll, freshly baked and to order. This naan is graced with a little cream cheese, delicious chilli tomato jam and fresh herbs, and wrapped around your chosen filling.
I opted for the mouth-watering Ramsay of Carluke’s smoked streaky bacon naan roll (£6.90) while my breakfast companions devoured the Kejriwal fried eggs on chilli cheese toast (£7.50) and the Wrestler’s naan roll (£9.90) which comes with streaky bacon, sausages and runny-yolked egg. There’s even a kids menu too and our little ones happily devoured breakfast number two. The coffee is great but the Bloody Mary (£8.90) is even better. Ask for a table in the window on the first floor for the perfect spot with views across the square.
Edinburgh, you more than delivered…and I only got to enjoy a little bit of you. If you’re looking for a luxury break and some well-deserved R&R in the city centre, Cheval The Edinburgh Grand is perfectly placed in the beating heart of the capital, and ticks all the boxes. I’m already planning my return, this time with my girlfriends (and EGG card!) in tow, and cannot wait!
ENDS
To book a stay at Cheval The Edinburgh Grand visit Cheval The Edinburgh Grand | Edinburgh Luxury Apartments (chevalcollection.com) and remember to quote your EGG card at the time of booking for 15% off best available rates. Prices start at £145 for an open plan studio apartment.
Tables at The Register Club can be booked here. Remember to show your EGG card for 15% off afternoon tea. Gaucho Edinburgh can be booked here and Dishoom Edinburgh, here.