Edinburgh’s Elite Escapes: A Curated Guide to Distinctive Luxury Stays

Hotel Mood

The ambiance at Cheval Old Town Chambers is one of sophisticated tranquility, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that feels distinctly like a private residence. Despite its central position on the bustling Royal Mile, a sense of quiet calm pervades the property, offering a peaceful retreat. The design elements combine traditional Scottish aesthetics with modern luxury, inviting guests to unwind in a stylish setting. The staff contributes significantly to this feeling, consistently noted for their friendly and accommodating demeanor, ensuring a hospitable environment throughout one’s visit.

Room Information

Each apartment within Cheval Old Town Chambers is designed as a sanctuary, offering generous space that is a true luxury in the city center. The interiors feature a refined blend of contemporary furnishings and subtle Scottish accents, creating an inviting visual appeal. Guests find plush linens that promise restful nights and blackout curtains ensuring undisturbed sleep. Thoughtful amenities like complimentary bottled water, coffee/tea makers, and fully appointed kitchens provide every convenience, while select apartments even offer private balconies or terraces, presenting a unique vantage point over the historic surroundings.

Hotel Services

The service at Cheval Old Town Chambers is designed to enhance the luxury apartment experience, offering practical yet refined assistance. A dedicated concierge team is readily available to help with bookings, recommendations, or travel arrangements, ensuring every need is met with efficiency. Daily housekeeping maintains the pristine condition of each space, while laundry and dry cleaning services add considerable comfort for longer stays. While the property’s complex layout and presence of stairs can pose a slight challenge with heavy luggage, the staff is always ready to assist, and airport transfer services simplify arrivals and departures.

Hotel Dining

Dining at Cheval Old Town Chambers caters to both convenience and culinary desires, with flexible options for every guest. The in-room dining service offers a variety of dishes, from a traditional Scottish breakfast to gourmet dinners, providing a luxurious experience within the privacy of one’s apartment. For those who prefer to utilize the fully-equipped kitchens, grocery deliveries are a convenient feature, allowing for personalized culinary creations. The on-site Luckenbooth restaurant also provides a high-quality dining experience, though some guests seeking a specific traditional Scottish breakfast might find the breakfast package offerings slightly different from their expectations.

Dining Options

Hotel Mood

The atmosphere within the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa is distinctly one of luxury and relaxation, where elegance permeates every corner. The lobby’s inviting design and the hotel’s beautifully appointed public spaces create a sense of opulent calm. This sophisticated environment is further enhanced by the staff, who are frequently commended for their warm, friendly, and genuinely attentive approach, fostering a welcoming and hospitable feeling. While some note a subtle commercial undertone, the overall mood remains one of a luxurious haven, designed for both leisure and business travelers seeking comfort and convenience.

Room Information

Rooms at the Sheraton Grand are designed to envelop guests in comfort, offering a variety of spacious layouts, including options with breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle. The interiors exude a cozy and inviting ambiance, featuring modern amenities seamlessly integrated into a luxurious setting. Guests appreciate the plush bedding, ensuring a restful night, and the interesting light settings that create a personalized mood. Bathrooms, adorned with luxurious marble finishes and deep soaking tubs, invite a moment of indulgent relaxation, making each stay feel like a truly special escape.

Hotel Services

The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa is renowned for its impeccable service, where the staff consistently goes above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay. The team’s pleasant and helpful demeanor is a highlight, providing attentive assistance with every request, from 24-hour room service to laundry and dry cleaning. The hotel’s comprehensive spa facilities, including a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and both indoor and outdoor pools, offer rejuvenating experiences. However, it is worth noting that access to the spa facilities now incurs an additional charge, which some guests found unexpected, though the quality of the offerings remains high.

Hotel Dining

Dining at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa offers a delightful array of choices, starting with a comprehensive breakfast buffet that caters to diverse tastes, featuring hot and cold selections, pastries, and made-to-order omelets. The availability of 24-hour room service provides ultimate convenience, allowing guests to savor meals in the comfort of their own space. While some guests have occasionally found the freshness of certain breakfast items to be inconsistent, the overall selection is praised. The hotel also features a convenient coffee shop, ensuring refreshing beverages and light bites are always at hand.

Dining Options

Hotel Mood

Stepping into the InterContinental Edinburgh The George, one is enveloped by an atmosphere of timeless elegance and a distinct Scottish charm. The hotel feels truly ‘loved,’ with a touch of history beautifully maintained throughout its posh spaces. During festive seasons, like Christmas, the decorations enhance this feeling, creating a wonderfully festive ambiance. The mood is reminiscent of a refined gentleman, treating guests with a welcoming and aristocratic demeanor, ensuring a memorable and unforgettable experience that balances historic grandeur with a warm, inviting feeling.

Room Information

The rooms at InterContinental Edinburgh The George are designed with comfort and classic style in mind, offering a range of options from cozy to spacious suites. Each room is equipped with plush bathrobes and in-house movies, inviting guests to relax and unwind. While generally clean and well-maintained, some rooms, particularly those facing back alleys, might experience more noise or offer less desirable views, occasionally featuring frosted windows. Some guests have also noted that the air conditioning can be noisy or insufficient, and water pressure in showers might be lower than expected, which are small considerations for an otherwise luxurious stay.

Hotel Services

Service at InterContinental Edinburgh The George is consistently highlighted as exceptional, with staff members who are welcoming, friendly, and always willing to go the extra mile with a smile. The concierge team, in particular, is noted for their special attention and ability to provide superb recommendations and assistance, enhancing the luxury travel experience. Daily housekeeping ensures a pristine environment, and 24-hour room service caters to every need. While minor issues like slow elevator service or occasional reception interactions have been noted, the overwhelming sentiment is one of attentive and dedicated staff who truly elevate the guest’s comfort.

Hotel Dining

Dining at InterContinental Edinburgh The George offers a refined culinary journey, with a breakfast buffet providing both hot and cold options to start the day. The hotel’s elegant restaurant prides itself on utilizing locally sourced ingredients, presenting a menu that delights the senses with its appearance and taste. While the dinner menu might be perceived as somewhat limited by some, the quality of the food at the Printing Press Bar & Kitchen is often praised as being on par with the finest establishments. The bar area, though adequate, has occasionally been described as chilly with a limited evening selection, but the overall dining experience remains a quality highlight.

Dining Options

Hotel Mood

The W Edinburgh exudes a distinctly modern and stylish ambiance, characterized by its visually striking design and a palpable energy that permeates throughout. The atmosphere is vibrant and upscale, appealing to those who appreciate a sophisticated and contemporary setting. While the hotel aims to provide a memorable and comfortable stay with excellent service, some guests have noted that the overall feeling can lean towards a more commercial, high-energy environment, which is part of its unique identity. Nevertheless, the focus on design and attention to detail creates an undeniably luxurious mood.

Room Information

The rooms at W Edinburgh are thoughtfully designed for modern luxury and comfort, featuring sleek interiors and advanced amenities. Many offer the special comfort of private balconies or terraces, presenting captivating views of Edinburgh, including the iconic castle. The bathrooms are stylishly appointed with premium toiletries, adding a touch of indulgence. However, some guests have found standard King rooms to be a little tight on space, and the glass-enclosed bathroom layouts in certain rooms may offer less privacy than some might prefer, which is a design consideration to note.

Hotel Services

The service at W Edinburgh is frequently praised for its warmth, friendliness, and attentiveness, with staff members consistently going above and beyond to assist guests. Their willingness to provide recommendations, address queries, and ensure a comfortable stay is a true highlight. The hotel also offers convenient services like bag assistance and clear explanations of room features upon arrival. While the staff’s dedication is evident, occasional reports of slower service at the bar or sporadic housekeeping inconsistencies, such as not consistently restocking complimentary water, are minor points to consider in an otherwise strong service offering.

Hotel Dining

Dining at W Edinburgh offers a truly elevated experience, with breakfast served at SushiSamba, where guests can enjoy amazing food complemented by spectacular views of the city. The W Lounge also serves as a popular and stylish spot for drinks and light bites, contributing to the hotel’s vibrant social scene. While the culinary offerings are of quality, some guests have found the food and drinks at the hotel’s bar and restaurant to be quite expensive, suggesting that simpler, more moderately priced bar food options could enhance the overall dining convenience for a wider range of preferences.

Dining Options

Hotel Mood

The Balmoral Hotel exudes an ambiance of classic charm and sophisticated luxury, creating a mood that is both welcoming and opulent. The hotel beautifully combines its Scottish heritage with modern comforts, resulting in an atmosphere that feels both grand and intimately warm. Guests often describe their experience as a ‘dream come true,’ attributing this feeling to the attentive staff who are dedicated to providing exceptional service. This dedication to hospitality cultivates an unforgettable and peaceful environment for every visitor.

Room Information

The rooms at The Balmoral Hotel are designed to provide the utmost comfort and luxury, featuring elegant furnishings and plush bedding that invite a sense of serene relaxation. Many rooms offer the unique highlight of stunning views overlooking Edinburgh Castle and the historic Old Town, transforming a simple stay into a truly special experience. Bathrooms are well-appointed, with some boasting oversized tubs and exquisite marble finishes, enhancing the feeling of indulgence. While a few guests have noted that certain rooms can be more compact or have less desirable views, daily servicing ensures every space remains impeccably maintained.

Hotel Services

The service at The Balmoral Hotel is consistently lauded as exceptional, reflecting a commitment to luxury and personalized care. The staff members are frequently praised for their friendly, helpful, and professional demeanor, anticipating needs and ensuring a seamless experience. Guests appreciate the thoughtful touches, such as turndown service and complimentary treats for children, which enhance the feeling of comfort and being well-cared for. The hotel’s comprehensive facilities, including a spa with rejuvenating treatments, an indoor pool, and a fitness center, offer ample opportunities for relaxation and well-being, although occasional reports of maintenance issues with health club lifts are worth noting.

Hotel Dining

Fine dining at The Balmoral Hotel is a significant highlight, offering a range of exquisite culinary experiences. The hotel’s restaurant provides both international and local cuisine, with a sumptuous breakfast buffet that caters to diverse palates. Guests can also enjoy the convenience of 24-hour room service, allowing for private dining in the comfort of their elegant rooms. The hotel features a stylish bar and a dedicated whisky bar with knowledgeable staff, perfect for savoring Scotland’s national drink. While some guests have found the breakfast to be on the pricier side, the quality and selection remain a testament to the hotel’s commitment to culinary excellence.

Dining Options