The best luxury hotels in Edinburgh, from swoon-worthy interiors to five-star facilities
Edinburgh thoroughly deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world. From the medieval tenements, vennels and wynds of the Old Town to the Michelin-starred restaurants, thriving café culture, vibrant nightlife and a strong contemporary arts scene, the city is effortlessly rich in culture. This transitions well to the hotel scene, where beautiful railway hotels have been elegantly brought up to date, ships have have been given a polished Deco makeover, and Baroque-Georgian mansions are a riposte to Gothic fantasy. Here's our pick of the most luxurious hotels in Edinburgh, including the top places to stay for flamboyant furnishings, decadent bars, indulgent afternoon teas, pampering spas and luxurious rooms with castle views.
The Balmoral
Edinburgh, Scotland
9Telegraph expert rating
This neo-Renaissance building with its massive clock tower has been an Edinburgh landmark for more than a century. It was built as a railway hotel, and has accommodated film stars, royalty and prime minsters. With elegant bedrooms and over-the-top marble bathrooms, a spa, gym and swimming pool and recently refurbished Palm Court for champagne afternoon teas, this is a 21st-century version of a grand hotel. Number One, the hotel’s Michelin-starred eatery, is one of Edinburgh’s top restaurants; expect local Scottish ingredients. Read expert review From £144 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• An insider guide to Edinburgh
Fingal
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
You’ll find Fingal tucked up in her own cosy berth near the huge ships and towering cranes of the working docks of Leith, only a 10-minute taxi or bus ride from the city centre. It is a grand little ship, polished to a high gloss with décor that respects the ship’s working history without going overboard. Imagine a miniature luxury liner with an Art Deco via 1930s Hollywood feel, all luxuriously deep carpets, curvaceous wood panelling, leather and sparkling glass. There’s a jaw-dropping ballroom for hire, too – in case you want to throw a party for 60 or so friends. Read expert review From £300 per night
• The most romantic hotels in Edinburgh
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian
Edinburgh, Scotland
9Telegraph expert rating
A modern take on the grand hotel: doormen in top hats and women in furs alongside first-class connectivity and impeccable, modern rooms. Facilities include a swimming pool and Guerlain spa. Rooms have all the five-star comforts you’d expect, including snow-drift-deep mattresses and powerful showers. Splash out on a 'Castle View' room for a heart-swelling outlook on life in Edinburgh. Peacock Alley, in the old station ticket office, is a comfortably intimate setting for a slap-up afternoon tea. Later in the evening head to the railway-themed Caley Bar for a malt whisky. Read expert review From £134 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best boutique hotels in Edinburgh
Prestonfield House
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
Prestonfield House is the swankiest, most swoon-some country house hotel imaginable, hidden in lush grounds a short drive from the city centre. With swags and columns, brocades and velvets, rich colours and intimate corners, it is wildly opulent. Rooms are irrepressibly romantic in a husky-throated boudoir sort of way. Suites are even more lavishly furnished – a Gothic day bed, perhaps or velvet-hung four poster, silk toile wallpaper or silver chariot bath. Its two oval shaped dining rooms come into their own at night as a candle-lit, Gothic fantasy; there’s a 800-bottle wine list. Read expert review From £200 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best budget hotels in Edinburgh
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
Edinburgh, Scotland
9Telegraph expert rating
This modern hotel has everything you would expect from the brand, with bells on. Although predominantly aimed at business travellers, the location and range of rooms (some with Castle views) and services make it the perfect choice for travellers who like to know exactly what they’re getting. Facilities include the best spa in town, with a 19-metre infinity swimming pool, thermal suite with seven treatment areas, Espa treatments, gym, café and utterly relaxing rooftop hydro-pool. The restaurant has splendid views of the Castle and the bar proudly serves its own bespoke Edinburgh One Square Gin. Read expert review From £111 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best five-star hotels in Edinburgh
Principal Edinburgh George Street
Edinburgh, Scotland
9Telegraph expert rating
There’s nothing stuffy about Edinburgh’s oldest hotel; it does classy/contemporary on a grand scale throughout. Expect a softly tailored look in Farrow & Ball-esque shades of oak, smoke, moss and mist with stylish leather accents. Rooms in the original townhouses offer classic Georgian architecture, but don’t scorn the rooms in the modern Forth Wing: there are some cracking views across the city to the Firth. Bathrooms in the suites have rolltop baths. The Printing Press Bar and Restaurant has dark velvet banquettes, a marble bar, cheerful bartenders in bow ties and braces, and live jazz on Saturday nights. Read expert review From £107 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best hotels in Edinburgh
Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
This is Edinburgh’s version of an Absolutely Fabulous hotel and the only five-star hotel on the Royal Mile. An occasional whisper of Missoni branding still lingers, but this stylish hotel has developed its own uniquely modern Scottish identity, losing nothing in translation. Most rooms are stylishly spartan. Nine striking suites – individually designed by notable Scottish artists and designers – are delights of colour, wit and style. For an edgy foodie experience, try the afternoon teas – an imaginative departure from the usual, with gin and negroni jelly and liquorice panna cotta. Read expert review From £94 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
• The best Edinburgh hotels with spas
The Glasshouse
Edinburgh, Scotland
8Telegraph expert rating
Don’t let the high-Gothic entrance fool you, The Glasshouse features lots of groovy furnishings (including a snug complete with 'fire bowl') and a fab rooftop garden. Bedrooms are big and airy with show-stopping floor-to-ceiling windows. Blissfully comfortable beds are huge while the suites are bigger in every way and come with mini-decanters of malt whisky. Young, smiley, on-the-ball staff are endlessly enthusiastic, even at breakfast (so be warned). At reception you will find the Henderson Gallery – an exhibition space of commissioned contemporary Scottish Art. Read expert review From £90 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com
