Edinburgh’s luxury hotels – what to expect
Edinburgh’s luxury hotels offer high-end accommodation, exceptional personalised service and facilities for guests. So whether you are in the city for business or pleasure, this list of 5 star hotels will help you plan your visit.
The Balmoral Hotel
The Balmoral Hotel is a luxury hotel located on Princes Street in the heart of Edinburgh.
The hotel first opened in 1902 as the North British Hotel and was renamed The Balmoral in 1991. It has 167 rooms and 20 suites, many of which offer fantastic views of the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle.
This prestigious hotel is renowned for its luxurious amenities and impeccable service.
It has hosted many famous guests over the years, including royalty, politicians, and celebrities.
The hotel also has a number of restaurants and bars, including the Michelin-starred Number One restaurant, which serves contemporary Scottish cuisine.
The Palm Court is the perfect place for afternoon tea and the Brasserie Prince serves classic French food using the best Scottish produce.
The hotel’s new whisky bar, called SCOTCH appropriately enough, has over 500 varieties of Scotch whisky including some rare expressions and unique independent bottlings.
- Visit the Balmoral Hotel website for more information.
The Waldorf Astoria: The Caledonian
The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian – known simply as The Caledonian, is a luxurious hotel located on Princes Street (the opposite end to the Balmoral Hotel).
This Edinburgh 5 star hotel has 241 guest rooms and suites.
The Caledonian features a range of amenities for guests to enjoy, including a spa, fitness centre, and two restaurants.
The Pompadour by Galvin is a fine-dining restaurant that serves classic French cuisine with a modern twist.
Grazing by Mark Greenaway offers a more casual dining experience with a focus on Scottish ingredients and flavours.
In addition to its luxurious accommodation and dining options, it also has a rich history and has hosted many famous guests over the years, including Sir Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth II, and Sean Connery.
- Visit the Waldorf Astoria website for more information.
The InterContinental Edinburgh: The George
The InterContinental Edinburgh The George is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town (George Street).
The hotel is housed in a historic Georgian building that dates to the 18th century. It has 192 spacious and comfortable guest rooms and suites that are elegantly decorated and equipped with modern amenities.
The hotel’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring the city’s many attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Scottish National Gallery.
The hotel is also within walking distance of many restaurants, shops, and theatres.
This New Town hotel has a fitness centre, a spa, and several dining options.
The hotel’s award-winning restaurant, The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen has modern Scottish cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients on the menu. The hotel’s bar, Burr & Co, offers a range of drinks and light snacks in a relaxed setting.
In addition, there is a concierge service, a business centre, and meeting, and event spaces.
The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh is a luxury hotel located in the city’s Festival Square Edinburgh, across the road from the Usher Hall, and close to the city’s main attractions.
The hotel offers 269 stylish and spacious guest rooms and suites, some with a great view of Edinburgh Castle.
All rooms have modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Sheraton’s signature Sweet Sleeper Beds.
The hotel’s spa, One Spa, is one of the city’s largest and most comprehensive, providing a range of treatments, therapies, and experiences.
It also has an indoor swimming pool, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and more.
Dining options at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa include One Square Brasserie, which offers modern Scottish cuisine made with locally sourced ingredients.
The One Square Bar has a wide range of wines, beers and spirits including over 100 types of whisky.
Gin lovers do not miss out as the hotel has its own gin made locally at Pickerings, one of Edinburgh’s best-known gin distilleries.
Overall, the hotel is a great choice for travellers looking for a luxurious and centrally located hotel in Edinburgh, with world-class facilities and exceptional service.
- Visit the Sheraton Hotel website for more information.
Prestonfield House: a luxury hotel in Edinburgh
Prestonfield is a luxurious 5 star hotel located on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The hotel is housed in a historic 17th-century mansion and is set within 20 acres of lush parkland and gardens.
The hotel features 23 individually-designed rooms and suites, each furnished with antiques and unique artwork.
The rooms are equipped with many of the modern comforts of home including flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and luxurious bedding. Some of the suites also feature four-poster beds, fireplaces, and freestanding baths.
Prestonfield House also boasts several dining options including the Rhubarb Restaurant, which serves contemporary Scottish cuisine made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Guests can also enjoy a traditional afternoon tea or a cocktail at the hotel’s bar.
The hotel has a range of facilities for guests, including a spa with a range of treatments, a fitness centre, and a private cinema.
The grounds are also home to a herd of rare-breed Belted Galloway cattle, which can be seen grazing in the surrounding fields.
Overall, Prestonfield House is a luxurious option for those seeking a tranquil and historic stay in Edinburgh.
- Visit the Prestonfield House website for more information.
The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection
The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection is a unique and luxurious 5-star hotel located in the heart of Scotland’s capital city. The hotel is housed in a converted 160-year-old church and features a contemporary design and a beautiful glass roof.
It offers 77 stylish and spacious rooms and suites, each equipped with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and top quality bedding.
The suites have separate living areas, Nespresso machines, and superb views of the city.
The Glasshouse also has a rooftop garden, which offers panoramic views of the city and is an ideal spot for a cocktail or afternoon tea.
Guests can also enjoy a meal at the hotel’s restaurant (The Snug Lounge), which serves modern Scottish cuisine made with locally-sourced ingredients.
There are various other amenities for guests, including a fitness centre, meeting and event spaces, and a 24-hour front desk.
The hotel is also within walking distance of many of Edinburgh’s top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens.
Visit the Glasshouse Autograph Collection Hotel website for more information.
Fingal: a luxury hotel in Edinburgh
Fingal is a luxurious 5-star floating luxury hotel in Edinburgh. It is a former lighthouse tender that has been transformed into a unique and stylish hotel. Fingal is permanently docked in the historic port of Leith and offers fantastic views of the Firth of Forth.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored nearby.
The hotel features 23 luxurious cabins, each named after Robert Louis Stevenson’s lighthouses and decorated with a nautical theme. The cabins are equipped with a range of modern amenities and some also have private balconies with views of the water.
Fingal also boasts a highly-regarded restaurant, The Lighthouse, which offers a modern Scottish menu made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Guests can also enjoy cocktails and drinks at the hotel’s bar, which draws inspiration from the ship’s history.
The hotel offers various amenities for guests, including a fitness centre, a spa treatment room, and a private dining room.
Its unusual location on the water and its nautical decor makes it a standout choice among Edinburgh’s many luxury hotels.
- Visit the Fingal Hotel website for more information.
Cheval Old Town Chambers
Cheval Old Town Chambers is a luxurious 5-star serviced apartment hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
The hotel is housed in a collection of historic buildings, including a 15th-century merchant’s house and a 16th-century tenement.
It has 50 spacious and stylish apartments, each with unique decor and a range of amenities such as fully equipped kitchens, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.
Cheval Old Town Chambers also has a 24-hour concierge service, which can assist guests with recommendations for local restaurants, tours, and attractions.
The hotel also offers a range of additional services, such as grocery shopping and laundry services.
The hotel’s location means that guests are within walking distance of many of Edinburgh’s top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street Gardens.
- Visit the Cheval Old Town Chambers website for more information.
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is a relatively new and highly anticipated hotel located in the heart of Edinburgh that opened in 2022.
The hotel is set in a historic building that was once home to the India Buildings, and has been transformed into a stylish and contemporary establishment.
It offers 225 sophisticated and spacious guest rooms, each with unique decor and modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and luxurious bedding.
The hotel also offers a variety of suites, including the Sir Richard Branson Suite, which has a private terrace and superb views of the city.
This Edinburgh hotel also features multiple dining and drinking options, including the Commons Club, a rooftop bar, and a coffee shop.
Guests can also enjoy various amenities, such as a fitness centre, meeting and event spaces, and a 24-hour front desk.
The hotel’s location means that guests are within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and Princes Street Gardens.
- Visit the Virgin Hotels Edinburgh website for more information.
Radisson Collection Hotel: Royal Mile Edinburgh
The Radisson Collection Hotel is a luxurious 5star hotel located on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile. The hotel is housed in a series of historic buildings that have been tastefully renovated and modernised.
The hotel offers 136 spacious and stylish rooms, each with unique decor and a range of amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and luxurious bedding.
The Radisson Collection Hotel has a popular restaurant and bar, which offers a range of Scottish cuisine and a wide selection of drinks. Guests can also enjoy a fitness centre, a spa, and meeting and event spaces.
Overall, Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh is a luxurious and convenient option for those seeking a comfortable and stylish stay in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town
- Visit the Radisson Collection Hotel website for more information.
Gleneagles Townhouse Hotel
Presenting the perfect urban gateway, Gleneagles Townhouse which only opened in 2022 has 33 bedrooms, each imbued with Georgian elegance and uniquely designed to offer a sense of understated luxury.
It’s a big city cousin of the world-famous Gleneagles Hotel in glorious Perthshire, Scotland.
Located on St Andrews Square in Edinburgh’s New Town, guests can take advantage of an all-day restaurant with a menu the hotel describes as “rooted in classics with a modern twist,”
For guest’s convenience, the hotel has a wellness club, with sauna, small spa and holistic treatments, and therapies.
The hotel’s rooftop bar, which they named Lamplighters is said the hotel a sophisticated spot for cocktail connoisseurs and social butterflies alike”
A members’ club offers a range of exclusive benefits (members and residents only).
- Visit the Gleneagles Townhouse website for more information.
The Witchery by the Castle Hotel: a luxury hotel in Edinburgh
The Witchery by the Castle is a historic boutique hotel located in Edinburgh. It is situated in a 16th-century building at the top of the Royal Mile, near Edinburgh Castle.
The hotel features nine luxurious suites, each designed with its own individual style and decor, with Gothic touches and antique furnishings.
The hotel’s restaurant, The Witchery, offers a fine dining experience featuring Scottish cuisine served in a candlelit, atmospheric setting.
The hotel is well-known for its lavish, theatrical design and is a popular choice for travellers looking for a unique and memorable stay in Edinburgh.
- Visit the Witchery Hotel website for more information.
The Bonham Hotel
The Bonham is a stylish and sophisticated 5star hotel located in the West End of Edinburgh. The hotel is housed in a converted Victorian townhouse with elegant decor and contemporary furnishings.
It has 49 individually-designed rooms and suites each with luxurious amenities such as flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and Egyptian cotton bedding.
The suites also have separate living areas, Nespresso machines, and complimentary minibars.
The Bonham also has a highly-regarded restaurant, the No. 35 at The Bonham, which offers a modern Scottish menu made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Guests can also enjoy cocktails, wine, and beer at the hotel’s bar, which has an extensive drinks menu.
The hotel offers various amenities for guests, including a fitness centre, meeting and event spaces, and a private courtyard garden.
The hotel is also within walking distance of many of Edinburgh’s top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
Overall, The Bonham is a chic and stylish option for those seeking a modern and sophisticated stay in Edinburgh’s West End.
- Visit the Bonham Hotel website for more information.
The Roseate Hotel
The Roseate Hotel, previously known as the Dunstane Houses, is a boutique hotel located in the west end of Edinburgh. The hotel is situated in two restored 19th-century townhouses just a short walk from Edinburgh’s New Town.
The hotel has 35 luxurious rooms and suites, all designed to reflect the elegance and sophistication of the Victorian era.
Each room is individually decorated and has modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and luxury bedding.
The hotel also has a bar serving a wide range of cocktails, wines, and spirits.
If whisky is your tipple there are around 80 single malt whiskys, including some rare independent bottlings to choose from.
For gin lovers, there’s a gin tasting experience using their own gin made with botanicals from Edinburgh’s Secret Herb Garden.
The restaurant serves modern Scottish cuisine made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The hotel’s private garden offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city streets. It’s a lovely place to enjoy afternoon tea or drinks and nibbles.
The restaurant serves modern Scottish cuisine made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Overall, the Roseate Hotel is a great choice for travellers looking for a luxurious and centrally located hotel in Edinburgh.
Visit the Roseate Hotel website for more information.
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Kilt hire in Edinburgh
If you’re attending a special event at one of the city’s luxury hotels then why not consider wearing a kilt for the occasion? This KIlt Hire in Edinburgh blog post might be a good starting point.
