Meet the family behind Capital Stays Edinburgh

Hi, we’re the Smiths, and we’re the faces behind Capital Stays Edinburgh. We live here, love this city, and we’re genuinely excited to share it with you!

Our Edinburgh Story

We’ve called Edinburgh home for over 15 years, and honestly, we never get tired of it. The castle at sunset, the festival buzz, the cozy pubs on rainy afternoons – it still excites us.

A few years ago, after too many soulless hotel stays and impersonal rentals during our own travels, we had a simple thought: we could do this better. Not bigger or flasher – just more personal and thoughtful.

So we started with one apartment and asked ourselves what we’d actually want as guests. Proper coffee in the cupboard. Recommendations that aren’t tourist traps. Someone available at 9pm when you need a curry recommendation.

Turns out, guests valued being looked after by real people who genuinely cared about their stay. That’s when we realized we’d stumbled onto something worth doing properly.

We’re still small, still family-run, and we prefer it that way. No cutting corners, no treating guests like booking numbers, no pretending to be something we’re not.

Why Edinburgh Matters to Us

Edinburgh isn’t just where we live – it’s where our kids are growing up and where we’ve built a life we genuinely love. We’re those people who still get a little thrill walking through the Grassmarket on a crisp morning or spotting Arthur’s Seat from an unexpected street corner.

Sure, the Royal Mile is spectacular, but we’ve got a soft spot for the quieter corners. The independent bookshops down narrow closes. The Stockbridge bakery where locals queue on Saturday mornings. The Blackford Hill walk that tourists somehow never find, even though the view rivals Calton Hill.

We love how the city transforms through the seasons – August’s brilliant Fringe chaos, winter’s cozy Christmas markets, spring cherry blossoms in the Botanics. The longer we live here, the more we discover.

That’s what we love sharing with guests. Not just the big sights everyone’s heard of, but the little moments that make Edinburgh special. The best fish and chips. Which vintage shops are worth browsing. Where to watch the sunset without the crowds.

We’re proud of this city, quirks and all, and we want you to fall for it the way we did.

Our Approach

Here’s the thing about being small – we actually know what’s happening in each property. We can tell you which flat has the comfiest sofa, which gets morning sun, and exactly how long the walk to Waverley Station takes.

Before you arrive, one of us personally checks the apartment. Properly – not a rushed glance. We sit on the beds, check the shower pressure, make sure there’s decent coffee in the cupboard. If something’s not right, we fix it before you get there.

We’re genuinely available too. Message at 7pm about dinner recommendations or how the bins work, and you’ll hear back from an actual human who lives here, not a virtual assistant in another time zone.

We can’t compete with big corporate rental companies on scale, and we’re fine with that. What we offer is personal attention that disappears when you’re managing hundreds of properties. We remember repeat guests, notice anniversaries, and give directions that actually make sense because we’ve walked these streets ourselves.

Being family-run means flexibility. Need to check in early? We’ll make it work if we can. Questions about accessibility or travelling with kids? You’ll get honest answers based on real experience.

We’re not building an empire. We just want to keep doing this well, for people who appreciate that personal touch still matters.

What You Can Expect

From the moment you book, we’ll stay in touch without bombarding you. You’ll get clear check-in instructions a few days before arrival, plus a welcome guide with our genuine local recommendations – not sponsored nonsense, just the places we actually take visiting friends.

Check-in is straightforward with self-entry using a keycode. No waiting around or coordinating schedules. But if you want to meet in person or have questions when you arrive, just ask – we’re happy to pop by or meet you for a quick chat.

Every apartment is thoroughly cleaned between guests – properly cleaned, not just surface-level. Fresh linens, spotless bathrooms, and we check everything works before you arrive. If something’s not up to standard when you get there, tell us immediately and we’ll sort it.

You’ll have our direct contact details throughout your stay. We aim to respond within the hour during reasonable hours, and we’re genuinely available if something urgent comes up. No chatbots, no ticket systems – just text or call us.

We want your stay to be easy and comfortable, not complicated. That’s it, really.

So that’s us. If you’re thinking about visiting Edinburgh and want a place that feels more personal than the usual rental, we’d love to have you stay. And if you’ve got questions before you book – about the apartments, the city, or anything else – just get in touch. We’re always happy to chat.

Looking forward to welcoming you to Edinburgh!

— The Smith Family