The best design hotels in Edinburgh
An insider's guide to the best design hotels in Edinburgh, including the top places to stay for designer interiors, Instagrammable feature baths, sophisticated bars, coloured mood-lighting, period features, eclectic furnishings, hip restaurants and clubby lobbies in locations near the Royal Mile, George IV Bridge, Victoria Street, Princes Street, the National Gallery and the Castle.
This high-Victorian mini-mansion is a classy, small hotel with an intimate, club-like feel. Deep, dramatic colours, bold wallpapers, tasteful tweeds and the warm-coloured accents of oriental rugs provide a decorative link that flatters both the old and the new. Original art and interesting photographs reflect the owners' family connections to both Edinburgh and Orkney. 'Wee doubles' are carefully designed and decorated; larger rooms have Instagrammable feature baths, lush, oversized sofas and four poster beds. Head down to the Ba' Bar (named after a traditional Orkney game), with it's comfortable chairs, Chesterfield sofas and big bay window for a cosy place to linger and enjoy a glass of wine, whisky or a sophisticated cocktail or good selection of ‘wee bites’ served all day.
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This is the only five-star hotel on the Royal Mile, located between the George IV Bridge and the photogenic charms of Victoria Street. Just about everything you might want to see or do is close at hand, with Waverley Station and airport links five minutes' walk away. Inside, the hotel feels surprisingly personal, with nods to its Italian designer Missoni origins gracefully incorporated among Edinburgh-centric references. The doormen's kilts are tweed from Slater Walker's shop on Victoria Street and bedrooms have feature walls with drawings of the Edinburgh skyline. This is confidently contemporary Scotland, a million miles away from shortbread-tin territory, making great use of the clear light and unexpectedly fine views.
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A black and white chessboard floor leads to a river of red carpet sweeping up a graceful staircase, the soaring walls a compelling, colourful gallery of paintings stretching to a glass cupola high above. The style is firmly contemporary boutique, but not confined to restrained neutrals. Colour – rich purple and yellow, acid green or bright blue – is applied deftly and patterns are used with confidence, while coloured mood-lighting sets the scene. The art is the unique selling point, but the hotel also bristles with the latest new-fangled technology. Claim your complimentary champagne in the smallish, stylish 'rt' bar, where you can enjoy a filling cold tapas selection – perfect before catching a show at the nearby Playhouse.
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If Pugin designed gothic revival love nests they would look like this: an outrageous riposte to modern minimalism. This is a restaurant with rooms and the suites are intimate, secret dens of high-flown delight. You cannot stay any closer to the heart of the city. Acommodations are located above the famously atmospheric Witchery Restaurant, close to the castle gates, or a few steps away across the Royal Mile, secreted in Jollie's Close. The nine suites are an antique dealer's dream and are set-dressed with fascinatingly eclectic clutter; all jewel-coloured velvets, silks and brocades, carved wood, gilding and candle-light. Beds are dramatically draped or four-postered and chin-deep bateau baths are perfect for sharing.
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A sinister black tower belies this sleek and sexy hotel. Stylishly, moodily masculine throughout, it’s a design-led, classy cocoon of comfort in a perpetual twilight of low light and flickering candles. The hotel is named after the 1930s Dakota airplane, the glamorous golden age of aviation is a quiet theme: leather-lined lifts (complete with rivets) feature a vintage airplane-style window with a whimsical view of passing clouds. Head down to the clubby, fire-lit lobby for a drink before dinner and sink into an overstuffed armchair before moving onto the reasonably priced grill restaurant clad in dark wood, long banquettes and creamy leather. The emphasis is on seafood. There’s a small gym and an exclusive lounge for top-floor (executive rooms and suites) guests. Service is splendid.
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New York architect’s Grzywinski+Pons’ design is Georgian Edinburgh outside, Shoreditch inside. Pale oak floors, plenty of pastels with the odd squirt of mustard and self-conscious quirkiness creates a light-hearted but seriously on-trend feel. The heart of it all is the pistachio and vanilla coffee lounge/bar, with seating (both upright and giant cushions for lounging) largely occupied by people tapping at their tablets, spiky plants in terracotta pots and an abundance of light. The 72 studio apartments offer more space (just) than a hotel room but are smaller than many serviced apartments. Hyde & Son serves decent coffee, straight-up pours of (mostly) local spirits and mixers, a short list of wines and craft beers.
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Tigerlily is a full-on girly designer dream, a fabulous option for those who like cocktails, partying and shopping. It's fun, buzzing and endlessly entertaining; not the place for secret trysts or quiet relaxation. More a get-out-your-highest-heels and let your hair down scenario. There's a concierge service, hair straighteners available to borrow, full music library on in-room iPods (Hendrix to Elbow) and plenty of fun offers, such as cocktail classes at your table or a girly makeover and photo shoot. Rooms and suites have king-sized beds, big armchairs or sofas, creamy rugs on stripped-wood floors, shots of pink or red, huge windows and sleek designer bathrooms. Plump for a suite for even more space and a choice of oak panelling, or the Black Suite (yep, it's all black).
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This smart, sassy boutique hotel enjoys an unbeatable location at the west end of Princes Street, close to the National Gallery, theatres, George Street and the Castle. While the hotel oozes quiet comfort (soft carpets, designer wallpaper and slinky furnishings) you can slip downstairs for a drink or a meal in Shoreditch-uber-cool The Huxley. Rooms are light, spacious and quietly opulent with bold wallpapers, huge white headboards, concealed bed lighting and bright, accent colours. Furniture is a mix of lacquered white tables, retro-style chairs and baroque mirrors while generous bathrooms are sleek in slate and white tiling with walk-in showers or whirlpool tubs. Enjoy the homemade muffins and shortbread, and Ian Rankin books in the rooms.
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A lesson in how to use a restrained palette of black, white and grey to great effect, complementing an interesting collection of modern Scottish art – but the strong design statement never overwhelms the warmth of the welcome. The six bedrooms (plus the 'wee dram' bunk room) come in three styles, but all share the same contemporary monochrome design theme, confidently combined with period features and sudden shots of colour. The owners offer a great concierge service for their guests, with a comprehensive knowledge of the Edinburgh food and arts scene. They provide complimentary bicycles, great facilities for kids and a well-equipped honesty bar in the smart but cosy 'snug'. The pretty conservatory dining room opens onto an inviting garden.