Fountain Court debuts latest hotel-apartment property in Edinburgh

Scotland’s largest serviced apartment operator, Fountain Court, has opened its latest property in Edinburgh.

Following an extensive refurbishment programme, Fountain Court has opened the Royal Garden Apartments, which includes a mix of 30 one- and two-bedroom apartments. This brings the total number of serviced apartments operated by the company in Edinburgh to 210 apartments (325 bedrooms) within seven properties, accounting for 20% of the city’s apartment sector.

“The serviced apartment sector has expanded significantly over recent years and is one of the fastest growing areas in the UK hospitality industry, currently accounting for over 3% of hotel stock across the country and 7% in Edinburgh,” said John Neil, director of Fountain Court Apartments. “In particular, significant growth has been delivered from the corporate sector with business travellers and their employers increasingly turning to serviced apartments to fulfil their accommodation needs.  Travellers are finding that apartments offer so much more in terms of space, flexibility and in many cases are more cost-effective than a hotel room.  For guests spending an extended period away from home and family, it is also a more friendly and sociable environment.

“According to the Global Service Apartment Industry Report (GSAIR) 73% of operators reported increased occupancy levels in 2014.  The latest GSAIR report shows the sector overall has grown by 14% since the previous report and all this growth has come from the extended stay sector.  Businesses that recognise that their executives prefer a more relaxed ‘at home’ place to stay when travelling, especially on longer trips, have driven the increase in corporate business,” he continued.

“The backdrop to this is the dramatic increase in overseas visitors to the UK in 2014. Of those coming to Edinburgh, a third from overseas, inject around £1.2 billion into the city region’s economy annually and account for 14 million bed nights. This market is growing rapidly. In 2013, average occupancy levels in Edinburgh (79.7%) were among the highest in Europe and beyond. This included a solid mix of business and leisure tourism.”

As well as being the largest financial hub outside London, Edinburgh continues to benefit from its global status as a premier destination for tourists throughout the calendar year.  Neil said davvy leisure travellers are also now looking to serviced apartments for a more family-friendly place to stay with plenty of space for the kids and the option of substantially reducing costs by dining in the apartment.

Located on Queen Street, opposite the Scottish Portrait Gallery, Royal Garden Apartments is a listed Georgian building with panoramic views of the Firth of Forth from the upper floors.  Furnished in a modern contemporary style, each apartment has a fully fitted kitchen and all the facilities required to make visitors feel at home during their stay.  Guests also have the added bonus of access to the adjacent exclusive Queen Street gardens.