Five Star Hotels in Edinburgh

Most popular areas in Edinburgh for 5-star hotels

You might not be able to book yourself into the regal rooms of that soaring Gothic citadel known as Edinburgh Castle, but you can certainly come close with the elegance and high luxury that's on offer from 5-star hotels in the Scottish capital. Start with the grandiose Victorian blocks that dominate the New Town area, boasting sumptuous suites and chandeliered lobby spaces where celebs have stood. There are other hotels in the Old Town, hiding their designer bathrooms and art-filled corridors in centuries-old buildings. Alternatively, choose a boutique or business-ready hotel in handsome Dean Village on the edge of the Water of Leith.

Top Edinburgh 5-star hotels

How does a manicured rooftop garden sound? A listed Gothic frontispiece? Sunset views over Calton Hill with the finest North Sea fish and epicurean Angus steaks? The Autograph Glasshouse hotel has you covered on all counts. Or check out the iconic Balmoral Hotel. where you'll be following in the footsteps of Palin and Rowling by occupying the Victorian suites and lazing in the spa baths there. Then there's The Principal on George Street. with its fitness centre, gorgeous wedding ceremony spaces, hearty Scottish fine dining and gorgeous views that roll down to the Firth of Forth.

Where to find the best restaurants in Edinburgh

Many Edinburgh 5-star hotels have their very own offering of top-quality fine dining. Celebrity chefs can often be found hunched over the stoves within the classy establishments of the New Town, serving up succulent Highland beef and cutting-edge Scottish fare. There's also a drive towards fusion food underway in the capital. That's discernible in the gathering of creative, Nordic-inspired, French-influenced bistros in the area of Leith. Don't miss a culinary trip to the historic eateries of the Old Town, either. You can get tasting menus of local delicacies there, all washed down with aged Scotch whisky.

The most popular things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle looms large on the rocky crags above the Old Town. It's the single most important must-see of the capital, a whirlwind of elegant stained-glass windows, Gothic halls and statues of famous Scots, like the legendary Robert the Bruce. After all that heritage, a tipple or two at the Scotch Whisky Experience could be just the thing. You can learn all about the history of those warming wee drams, and even get to sample some of the finest malts. If you'd prefer to keep things non-alcoholic, the sumptuous teas of the Signet Library combine culture and epicurean delights in one.

Best ways to get around Edinburgh

Many Edinburgh 5-star hotels will have their own private modes of transport to help you move around the ancient capital. That could mean a chauffeur or chosen taxi service that's dedicated to crafting personalised trips from attraction to attraction. Or, it could mean a trained concierge to offer limousines or guided walks from the theatres and sights to the door of your luxury suite. Helicopter charters are also possible if you're eager to avoid the streets altogether – aerial travel will provide some beautiful views of the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle from above, too.