Best Luxury Hotels In Edinburgh’s New Town
When the Georgian upper classes grew tired of living in the (then) grimy, cramped, Old Town, a New Town was formed. Erected over the course of the 18th and 19th centuries, grand spacious sandstone residences with separate servant’s quarters opened out onto large stepped entrances lit by lanterns. Nowadays, this is the area to peruse high-end boutiques and department stores, wine and dine along the glitzy George Street and enjoy views out across the Firth of Forth. Many of the neoclassical buildings are now hotels, offering swift access to railways, coach and airport connections.
Old Town, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
The Balmoral
(5 stars) 
TLE Recommends: Soothe away the buzz of the city and take time to listen to the harpist in Palm Court (and the Afternoon Tea is amazing too!)
Liveried doormen await those arriving to stay this grand dame, Edinburgh’s most famous hotel. The Balmoral stands sentinel over the city, straddling the Old and New Towns from its sizeable perch on Princes Street and North Bridge. Steps from Waverley Station and a minute’s walk from the Royal Mile, its location is hard to beat for tourists. The Number One restaurant has a Michelin-star, art pieces lent by London’s Royal College of Art and a Scottish oak triptych. Brasserie Prince caters for relaxed meals, with its French menu, lamps and banquette seating. And Palm Court is the regal setting for The Balmoral’s award-winning Afternoon Tea.
New Town, Edinburgh
Cheval The Edinburgh Grand
(5 stars)
TLE Recommends: Look up and look around – there is historic detail hidden in every corner.
A former bank, this restored 19th-century building on St Andrew’s Square now accommodates high-end apartments. These range in size from studios to three-bedroom residences, providing a home-away-from-home experience during a longer stay. The apartments are serviced daily and include Nespresso machines. Cook in your own space, or eat in-house at The Register Club, with its top-floor (and top drawer) Art Deco ambience and creative libations. And you’re only steps from multiple eateries for fine or family dining. Travelling with your four-legged friend? They’ll get their own bed, blanket, toys and treats on arrival.
Leith, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection
(5 stars)
TLE Recommends: Walk up Calton Hill (behind the hotel) and take in the view of the hotel below.
The highlight of this boutique establishment is its rooftop garden terrace with far reaching views. Not only a convivial place to take the ozone with a cocktail in hand, this space also serves a practical purpose as home to a variety of plants and herbs, which are used in the hotel’s dishes and beverages. Guests can also drink inside in the Snug and sample the best of Scottish cooking at the Observatory restaurant. The Glasshouse accommodates 77 bedrooms, all with floor-to-ceiling windows, Nespresso coffee machines, artworks and individual design.
The Glasshouse, Autograph Collection
West End, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton
(5 stars)
TLE Recommends: Keep an eye out for themed Afternoon Tea – they are always a work of art!
Housed in a Victorian building that dates back to 1903, this hotel is considered to be one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and was one of the British grand railway hotels. Nowadays The Caledonian is perhaps most renowned for its excellent cuisine. Dean Banks at The Pompadour, the flagship restaurant by a star of TV’s Masterchef, has been awarded a coveted Michelin star. Then there’s Grazing by Mark Greenaway and Peacock Alley for drinks and snacks. This Curio Collection property also offers a Guerlain Spa, with treatments using 111SKIN face and body products.
The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton
New Town, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Intercontinental Edinburgh The George, An IHG Hotel
(5 stars)
TLE Recommends: Enjoy the finest cuts of beef from around the world and dine at on-site restaurant Le Petit Beefbar
Elegance and grandeur have long been associated with this historic hotel that is located on George Street in Edinburgh – a convenient setting to explore the great city. Set over five townhouses that date back to 1881, the hotel presents a range of rooms and suites (240 in total) all of which are relaxed, warm and welcoming. Destination restaurant Le Petit Beefbar at InterContinental Edinburgh The George marks the brand’s first-ever foray into Scotland, here guests can experience some of the best cuts in the world, surrounded by the classically chic décor of the magnificent dining room. For a light bite or caffeine fix Burr & Co is the perfect pitstop. Extensive meeting, conference and event spaces along with private dining facilities makes this hotel a popular choice for a great variety of business and leisure occasions.
Intercontinental Edinburgh The George, An IHG Hotel
New Town, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Kimpton Charlotte Square
(5 stars)
TLE Recommends: Don't miss free happy hour every day from 5pm in the bar
The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, located in the city’s historic New Town, combines classic Georgian architecture with modern luxury. Guests can enjoy a range of amenities including a fitness centre, spa, and Tesla chauffeur service. The hotel features eclectically styled rooms and suites with luxurious details and innovative technology. Dining options include The Garden for cocktails and light fare, BABA for Levant-inspired dishes, and Aizle for seasonal tasting menus. The hotel is also pet-friendly and offers unique experiences like sound therapy suites and personal shopping services.
New Town, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Nira Caledonia
(4 stars)
TLE Recommends: Be sure to explore Stockbridge - the local neighbourhood.
Stay in an elegant New Town Georgian townhouse with 26 rooms, which, like The Dunstane Houses, are spread across two buildings. Nira Caledonia offers a Jacuzzi Suite, ideal for soothing tired legs after a day of exploring the city’s cobbled streets. All rooms and suites come with PMD Tea, minibars, 2,000-pocket sprung beds, goose-down pillows and L’Occitane toiletries as standard. The hotel boasts its very own 12-year-old ultra-limited edition whisky, bottled in partnership with Adelphi Distillery and served onsite. Guests can try the tipple and dine at Blackwoods Bar & Grill, which has a farm or fishery-to-fork ethos (around 40% of the menu ingredients come from Scotland).
New Town, Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Gleneagles Townhouse
(5 stars)
TLE Recommends: Head to Lamplighters rooftop cocktail bar exclusive to members and hotel guests for a pre or post dinner cocktail
The century-old Perthshire spa resort brings its famous quintessential Scottish luxury to the heart of Edinburgh. In 2022 the brand completed the refurbishment of the iconic former Bank of Scotland HQ, a Grade A-listed building on St Andrew Square. The boutique property has a small number of bedrooms decorated in a modern style, but reflecting a timeless Georgian townhouse elegance. Guests and the general public can mingle in The Spence, an art deco all-day dining establishment, or in the rooftop bar. The bank’s old vault accommodates the wellness area, including a cryotherapy chamber and infrared sauna.
Righ Residences Edinburgh
Located in the heart of Edinburgh’s new town, on the iconic George Street, the boutique Righ Residences is the perfect place for guests looking for more spacious accommodation in the centre of Edinburgh. The hotel’s 25 luxury serviced apartments are all bathed in natural light and are exceedingly comfortable. The apartments all feature kitchenettes, climate control, en-suite bathrooms, and high-quality linen. The apartments also have a high-tech flair with in-room tablets which have room controls and local guide services available. The hotel’s signature penthouse boasts some of the best views of the Castle to be found anywhere in the city. It also has three floating beds, a freestanding bath, three private roof terraces and a private living room. Whilst the Righ residence does not have its own restaurant, it is only a stone’s throw away from some of the city’s best restaurants.
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