Best Edinburgh Luxury Hotels

Top Deluxe, Luxury, 4-star and 5-star Hotels in Scotland's Capital

Oct 18, 2008

The city of Edinburgh is one of Scotland's top tourist attractions, and there are plenty of 5-star, deluxe and luxury Edinburgh hotels to choose from.

Whether you're visiting Edinburgh for Hogmanay, during the Edinburgh Festival, or to see the city's best visitor attractions such as the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse, or Edinburgh Castle, there are lots of top quality hotels to choose from.

One of three 4-star Apex hotels in Edinburgh, the International offers guests great views of Edinburgh Castle, especially from the highly-rated rooftop Heights Restaurant, with its two AA rosettes. There's also the more informal Metro Bar and Brasserie. There's also a sauna, gym, a stainless steel ozone pool and all the other services expected of a 4-star hotel.

Balmoral Hotel

The best of Edinburgh's traditional grand hotels, the Balmoral is very convenient for the main Waverley train station. This luxury 5-star hotel is right on Princes Street, it has superb business and conference facilities, and for gourmets it has the bonus of the Michelin-starred number one restaurant.

The Bonham

A unique feature of the Bonham is the collection of about 30 art works by contemporary Scottish artists. There are 41 individually-styled rooms occupying five Edwardian town houses in Edinburgh's West End.

Channings

The 4-star boutique Channings is in Edinburgh's West End, slightly out of the city centre but still only about one mile from Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. The hotel restaurant is well-rated by the food guides, and there is also a more casual wine bar for drinking or dining.

The Edinburgh Residence

Less than a mile from Edinburgh Castle, the Edinburgh Residence is a collection of 29 luxury 5-star suites in several Georgian town houses. Suites are equipped with such things as microwaves, fridges, and food preparation areas, making them ideal for visitors who want deluxe comfort but a degree of independence too. There is also 24-hour Room Service, and the restaurant at the sister hotel, the Bonham, is one minute away.

The Howard

The 5-star Howard in Edinburgh's New Town bills itself as the most discreet hotel in the city. The 18 luxury rooms and suites are spread over three elegant Georgian town houses, and there is a full team of butlers to cater to guests' every need. The Howard's Atholl Restaurant only seats 14 people so booking ahead is absolutely essential.

The Scotsman Hotel

This 5-star boutique hotel is in the former offices of The Scotsman newspaper, and really neat are the privacy hatches, which allow room service without intruding into the room itself. There's a health club and spa, a stainless steel pool, stained glass windows, a marble staircase, and other features that have led this to be voted one of the world's best hotels by Condé Nast Traveller magazine.

Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa

The Scotland rugby team have been known to use the 5-star Sheraton's health club and spa, which helps confirm its reputation as the best spa in Edinburgh. From here you could easily walk to Murrayfield Stadium, as well as to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Princes Street. Excellent location, superb hotel.

The Witchery by the Castle

Near the entrance to Edinburgh Castle, the Witchery is best known as one of the city's top restaurants. However, the Witchery also has seven very private suites which have catered to celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Dannii Minogue called them 'the perfect lust-den'. It's hardly surprising they're often booked months ahead.

As an alternative to a luxury hotel right in Edinburgh, read about an exclusive-use luxury country house 20 miles east of the city, Lennoxlove House.

The copyright of the article Best Edinburgh Luxury Hotels in Scotland Travel is owned by Mike Gerrard. Permission to republish Best Edinburgh Luxury Hotels in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.