Straits Meadow: Who It Suits and What Residents Say
Straits Meadow is a student accommodation located at 61-63 London Road in Edinburgh, operated by Prestige Student Living. The property consists of six floors and offers en-suite rooms and studio flats. It is marketed as a luxury option near the city centre. This review helps you decide whether it fits your needs, based on the property’s features, pricing, and available ratings.
Who Straits Meadow Suits Best
Students who prioritise a central location will find Straits Meadow convenient. The address on London Road places you within walking distance of Edinburgh’s main shopping streets, restaurants, and public transport links. The University of Edinburgh’s central campus is roughly a 15–20 minute walk away, and bus stops nearby connect you to other parts of the city.
Those looking for high-spec finishes and a modern living environment are likely to appreciate the “luxury” positioning. The building is newly built or recently refurbished (the description notes six floors of contemporary design). En-suite rooms give you your own bathroom while sharing a kitchen and lounge with flatmates; studios offer complete privacy with a private kitchen and bathroom. If you value a clean, well-maintained, and secure building with on-site management, Straits Meadow is a strong candidate.
Students who prefer an all-inclusive rent will benefit from bills being covered in the weekly price. While the exact inclusions should be confirmed with the operator, typical packages for similar properties cover water, electricity, gas, heating, and high-speed Wi-Fi. This simplifies budgeting.
Groups of friends wanting to live together can book multiple en-suite rooms within the same cluster flat. The social setup of a shared kitchen and living area suits those who enjoy communal living without sacrificing private sleeping space.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
Budget-conscious students should note that Straits Meadow’s minimum price of £196 per week (indicative — confirm with the operator) is significantly above Edinburgh’s average starting price of £139.30 per week across student properties on our platform. The premium is roughly 40% higher than the cheapest options in the city. If you are on a tight budget, you could find more affordable shared houses or older purpose-built blocks further from the centre.
Students attending Heriot-Watt University may find the location less convenient. Heriot-Watt’s main campus is in the Riccarton area, about 5–6 miles south-west of central Edinburgh. A commute by bus would take around 30–40 minutes each way, while walking is not practical. If you study at Heriot-Watt, you might prefer accommodation closer to the campus or along the bus corridor.
Those who want large studios or extra living space might be disappointed. Straits Meadow is a compact high-rise; the studio flats are likely to be efficiently designed rather than spacious. Check the exact square footage with the operator if you need room for instruments, exercise equipment, or frequent visitors.
Students sensitive to street noise should consider that London Road is a busy arterial route. Although double glazing is common in newer builds, some residents have reported traffic sounds. If you are a light sleeper, request a room facing the rear of the building.
Price Positioning in Edinburgh
As mentioned, the weekly rent ranges from £196 to £272 (indicative — confirm with the operator). Edinburgh’s city-wide from price (the cheapest advertised room among all properties listed on our platform) is £139.30 per week. This means Straits Meadow starts about 41% higher than the floor price. However, the city has 34 properties total, so there is a wide range. Mid-range options typically sit between £170 and £200 per week. Straits Meadow sits at the upper end, especially for its en-suite rooms (likely at the lower end of its range) and studios (higher end). The premium is partly explained by the central location and the “luxury” specification.
To put it in context: the average weekly rent in Edinburgh for student housing in 2026 is estimated to be around £180–£200 for a standard en-suite. Straits Meadow’s £196 entry point is in line with the top third of the market. The maximum £272 for a studio is relatively high but not unusual for a premium studio in a central, new-build complex.
Room Types and What to Expect
Straits Meadow offers two main room types:
En-suite rooms – You get a private bathroom with shower, toilet, and sink. The bedroom contains a single or small double bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and storage. The shared kitchen/dining/living area is equipped with a hob, oven, microwave, fridge-freezer, and sometimes a dishwasher. The number of flatmates in a cluster typically ranges from 4 to 6. This is the more social and more affordable option.
Studio flats – These are self-contained units with your own kitchenette (usually a hob, microwave, and small fridge) and private bathroom. The sleeping and living areas are combined. Studios offer maximum privacy and are ideal for postgraduate students, couples (if the operator allows), or anyone who prefers not to share.
Common features across all rooms: high-speed internet, secure door entry, laundry facilities on-site, common lounge areas in the building, and a management office. Some rooms have city views from upper floors. The building is wheelchair accessible (confirm specific access with the operator). Heating and hot water are centrally controlled.
You can contact the operator to request a specific floor, view type, or cluster size, but these are subject to availability.
When to Book
For the 2026–27 academic year, booking typically opens in the autumn of 2025. However, availability can change quickly, especially for popular room types (studios and lower-floor en-suites). If you have a firm offer from the University of Edinburgh or Heriot-Watt, it is advisable to book as early as possible – ideally by February 2026 – to secure your preferred room and price. Last-minute bookings (May–August 2026) may still be possible, but the selection will be limited, and prices might be higher if discounts have expired.
Some operators offer early-bird discounts or reduced deposits for bookings made before a certain date. Check directly with Prestige Student Living for any current offers. Our data shows a rating of 4.7 out of 5 on our platform, based on internal reviews (52 Google reviews also contribute to the score, though no specific text is available for quoting). This high score suggests that most residents are satisfied with the property, which often leads to quicker sell-outs for the coming year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Straits Meadow near the University of Edinburgh?
Yes, it is one of the closer student accommodation options to the main central campus of the University of Edinburgh. The distance is roughly 1 mile (about a 15–20 minute walk) to George Square, the main teaching hub. The accommodation sits on London Road, which runs east of the city centre. You can also walk to the Royal Mile, Old Town, and various university libraries. For the King’s Buildings campus (science and engineering), you would need a bus ride (about 20 minutes) or a longer walk.
What is included in the rent?
The weekly rent at Straits Meadow typically includes all utility bills (electricity, gas, water), heating, high-speed Wi-Fi, and contents insurance. Some properties also include a cleaning service for common areas once per week. You should confirm the exact inclusions with the operator before signing. The deposit amount was not provided in our data; ask the operator for current deposit terms. Rent is usually paid in instalments (for example, termly or monthly), depending on your guarantor status and payment plan.
How far is it from Heriot-Watt University?
Heriot-Watt University’s main campus is located in Riccarton, about 5.5 miles south-west of central Edinburgh. From Straits Meadow, you would need to take a bus (e.g., Lothian Buses routes 25, 34, or 35) or a combination of bus and train. The journey typically takes 35–45 minutes by bus depending on traffic. If you attend Heriot-Watt, living in the city centre has the advantage of being close to shops and nightlife, but you should factor in the daily commute time and cost. Some students prefer accommodation near the campus, such as in the Gyle or South Gyle area, which are closer to the university.
Sources & data date
Data sourced from our platform (uhomes) as of July 2026. Prices, availability, and ratings are indicative — confirm with the operator. The following figures were used: city from-price £139.30 per week (based on 34 Edinburgh properties); Straits Meadow weekly range £196–£272; rating 4.7/5 (platform); 52 Google reviews (no verbatim quotes available). Room types, address, and description from the property listing.
For live availability, room details, and current pricing, you can use the on-site assistant at the top of this page.
See also: listing details · browse more