The Balmoral Hotel

With beautiful views of Edinburgh Castle and the city, this luxuriously ornate hotel is the perfect place to call home while you’re exploring Edinburgh and its surrounds. It was built in 1903 and is a well-established icon on the popular Princes Street. Another of its claims to fame is boasting the largest number of rooms with castle views in the city. It is within easy walking distance of a variety of city hotspots including the castle, the Royal Mile, Edinburgh International Conference Centre and the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The hotel’s 241 rooms are elegantly appointed and perfectly encapsulate the building’s heritage. The design palette is soft and natural, with gentle accent colours adding a modern touch. Warm lighting, interesting textures and stylish wallpapers add extra flair.

High ceilings and large windows in the hotel’s public areas allow in plenty of light. Located in the impressive lobby lounge you’ll find the social hub of the property, Peacock Alley. Here you can indulge in a sumptuous afternoon tea or end the day with a custom cocktail. For casual, relaxing all-day dining, take a table at Grazing by Mark Greenway, and raise a glass or two at the trendy and sophisticated Caley Bar. Inspired by the Caledonian Railway, the bar’s inviting ambience is a nod to Victorian luxury.

Spending some time attending to your mind at body at the only Guerlain Spa in the UK, where there is a menu of French-style beauty treatments to choose from. Waldorf Astoria also boasts a 12-metre swimming pool, a sauna, steam room and fitness centre.

Overlooking one of Edinburgh’s prettiest private garden squares, The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel comprises of seven inter-connecting Georgian townhouses in the heart of the the city’s New Town.

199 rooms and suites are eclectically styled and cleverly detailed, with a modern take on Scottish hospitality mixed with a curated collection of art and retro pieces found throughout.

The beautiful glass-roofed internal courtyard, The Garden, is open from breakfast through to the wee hours and you can enjoy the flavours of the Eastern Mediterranean at the fabulous BABA restaurant.

With five Georgian townhouses dating back to 1775 at its heart, The Principal Edinburgh on George Street has been carefully restored to create a well-appointed hotel which retains its local and historic charm.

The 240 rooms and suites have been refurbished to reflect the heritage of the building, with luxurious materials like oak, leather, brass, and marble. The colour scheme was inspired by the works of the great 19th-century Scottish landscape painters. The period features, combined with stylish lighting and intuitive technology, make for a comfortable and convenient retreat.

One of the townhouses, which was home to novelist Susan Ferrier, is now The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, where you can feast on modern Scottish cooking. The late-night bar serves up a variety of single malts, as well as local spirits like Edinburgh gin and Scottish vodka. Grab a fresh cuppa as Burr & Co, the hotel’s popular coffee shop.