The best five-star hotels in Edinburgh

Destinations

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As Oscar Wilde once wrote, ‘nothing succeeds like excess’ – a motto these dedicated purveyors of luxury take to heart. From the moment the concierge (more often than not in tartan trousers) opens the door, you feel you’re in a place where nothing bad could ever happen and in the unlikely event something did, there will be someone to make it go away with a perfect martini, a massage, or both. If you can manage to leave your room you’ll be assaulted by choice: which restaurant? Which bar? Will there be harps with your afternoon tea, or scones that float off the plate? Should you check out the spa first, before the malt whiskies? Whether it’s a great grande-dame or boutique beauty, once you’ve tried one of these hotels you may find that like children’s book character Eloise who lived in the Plaza Hotel, you may never want to leave. Here’s our pick of the best five-star hotels in Edinburgh.

The Balmoral

Edinburgh, Scotland

9
Telegraph expert rating

This Neo-Renaissance building with its massive clock tower has been an Edinburgh landmark for more than a century. Built as a railway hotel, this is a splendid example of a Victorian take on Renaissance architecture with sweeping staircases, classical columns and royal icing plasterwork complemented by designer Olga Polizzi’s calmly contemporary interiors – and has accommodated film stars, royalty and prime ministers. Luxurious bedrooms, a Michelin-starred restaurant, lavish afternoon teas, relaxing spa and the best service in town add up to a sophisticated 21st-century version of a genuinely grand hotel.


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Gleneagles Townhouse

Edinburgh, Scotland

9
Telegraph expert rating

Imagine a chic godmother – old money but addicted to post-war Dior – designed a hotel, it would look like this: part country house; part stylish swank. Opened in 2022, it’s now one of the best five-star hotels in Edinburgh. With deliciously pretty bedrooms (soft pastels, deep velvet, Redouté floral prints), a dramatic restaurant in the former banking hall, state-of-the-art gym, wellness treatments and an exclusive rooftop bar that only members and guests have access to – where you can enjoy city views and sunsets while sampling Robert Louis Stevenson-inspired cocktails and delicious highfalutin’ bar snacks – it doesn’t get much more glamorous than this.


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From


£
285

per night

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Nira Caledonia

Edinburgh, Scotland

8
Telegraph expert rating

If a hotel can be the soul of discretion, this quietly confident hotel is it – a place for those who want luxury that whispers, rather than shouts. All rooms have well-thought-out touches like a carefully curated selection of quality books and delightfully old-fashioned wooden shoe horns, while the range of sumptuous hot tub suites are standout. In the restaurant, the grill oven is the backbone of a steak-led menu that is deceptively simple (with a dash of extravagance: bread comes with three kinds of butter) and big on local provenance. There are some luxe services on offer here: same-day laundry, a complimentary shoe-cleaning service and breakfast in bed at no additional charge.


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From


£
113

per night

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Prestonfield House

Edinburgh, Scotland

8
Telegraph expert rating

Prestonfield is hidden in lush grounds a short drive from the city centre, and it is the swankiest, most swoon-some country house hotel imaginable. With swags and columns, brocades and velvets, rich colours and intimate corners, it is wildly opulent; drama, theatre, romance and passion hang heavily in the air. Service is utterly spoiling from the moment you walk through the door; staff arrange to have cashmere, kilts or the contents of Harvey Nichols brought to the hotel if you’re too tired to shop, order a helicopter (there’s a landing pad), lend you a laptop, or walk your lapdog. There are bicycles available for guests’ use, as well as a croquet lawn and a putting green.


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From


£
375

per night

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Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

Edinburgh, Scotland

9
Telegraph expert rating

A modern take on the grand hotel: think doormen in top hats, afternoon teas and women in furs alongside first-class connectivity, impeccably refurbished rooms and a Guerlain spa. Beds are Siberian steppes of white linen with snow-drift deep mattresses, while bathrooms are smart, with powerful showers, heated mirrors and Aesop toiletries. You’ll find an indulgent breakfast in Peacock Alley – the former station concourse – now a showy setting for cooked to order breakfasts, followed by coffee, cocktails and multi-tiered afternoon teas. Later head to the railway-themed Caley Bar and work your way through a whisky or three.


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From


£
192

per night

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The Witchery by the Castle

Edinburgh, Scotland

9
Telegraph expert rating

This extraordinary collection of fantasy suites near Edinburgh Castle is the ultimate romantic hideaway: sumptuous, indulgent, and slightly (delightfully) mad. The nine suites are an antique dealer’s dream: the rooms set-dressed with fascinatingly eclectic clutter; all jewel-coloured velvets, silks and brocades, carved wood, gilding and candle-light – think decadent ecclesiastical. Beds are dramatically draped or four-postered (or both); chin-deep bateau baths are perfect for sharing. A dining hall, sitting room, dressing room or study behind hidden doors will surprise and delight. Guests get chocolate and champagne on arrival.


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From


£
450

per night

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Virgin Hotel Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland

9
Telegraph expert rating

It’s Richard Branson’s so there’s bound to be bling (just a dusting) and a wall to-wall soundtrack (unexpectedly appealing), but there’s restraint in the classy, zen-like bedrooms, while two contrasting bars and restaurants and a ‘Funny Library’ are smart and sassy. There’s a whizzy app on which you can do everything, from controlling your room temperature to checking your bar bill. But Luddites aren’t excluded: you can order a radio alarm clock and there’s a turndown service. Full marks for ice machines on every floor and a 24-hour gym ensures insomniacs are occupied. All that and an unbeatable Old Town location.


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From


£
162

per night

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Kimpton Charlotte Square

Edinburgh, Scotland

8
Telegraph expert rating

This hotel has a prime position overlooking elegant Charlotte Square at the east end of George Street and is perfect for shopping, strolling or sight-seeing. The building itself has been reinvented in mid-century modern Soho House-style chic. With a darkly dramatic reception area, stylised ‘Levantine’ restaurant and characterful, deeply comfortable bedrooms, it’s an Instagram-ready example of a new generation of corporate hotels. There’s quality throughout, with more personality than your usual corporate hotel look and signature ‘tuck boxes’ of treats (in this case Scottish-themed crisps and sweeties), red retro telephone and knitted tea cosy. Heavy velvet curtains keep things cosy, as do the tartan throws on the beds.


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From


£
166

per night

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Booking.com

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