100 Princes Street, Edinburgh

• Even the smallest rooms feel like a treat here, with plush emerald carpets, bespoke tartan textiles, mahogany antiques, and marble bathrooms with underfloor heating.
• The New Town location puts you directly across from Princes Gardens, and castle-view units offer romantic views over the hilltop Edinburgh Castle.
• The restaurant, bar, and library areas are for guests only, giving the whole property an exclusive, clubby feel.
• The service is standout: manager Diarmaid greets each guest personally, and the tartan-suited staff is personable and warm.
• There are multiple adjoining room options for families and groups, as well as two accessible rooms designed for guests with limited mobility.

• The address along the city's busiest shopping street can feel a little hectic, though excellent triple-glazing keeps out any street noise.
• There's no on-site parking, but valet parking is available at a nearby lot for an additional fee. 
• You won't find amenities like a spa or gym at this smaller, townhouse-style hotel.

Authenticity

Purchased by the family-run Red Carnation group in 2020, this 1879 building underwent a painstaking, four-year renovation to transform the interiors into a romantic Scottish pastiche. Glossy wood paneling, plush emerald carpets, and curated antiques now form a backdrop for bright tartan textiles by renowned Edinburgh designer Araminta Campbell and whimsical touches like fur-trimmed sporrans in place of do-not-disturb signs. You'll also find plenty of nods to the building's swashbuckling history as the former headquarters of the Royal Overseas League, including porthole-style windows, compass-shaped doorknobs, and a hand-painted mural of Victorian explorers that winds its way up the central staircase.

Location

The Princes Street address puts you on the city's main shopping drag, in the midst of Edinburgh's Georgian New Town. It's not the most peaceful setting, but the hotel's triple-glazed windows keep out any street noise, and you get to overlook Princes Street Gardens and the craggy silhouette of Edinburgh Castle. The Old Town is just 10 minutes away on foot, the Scottish National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy are a 5-minute stroll around the corner, and Edinburgh Waverley train station is a 10-minute walk east. Buses and trams stop just steps from the hotel and link with the airport in under 35 minutes. 

Rooms & Bathrooms

All 29 rooms and suites have a sumptuous, jewel-box feel, decorated with velvet and tartan fabrics, mahogany antiques, and 19th-century artworks. Handmade mattresses, high-thread-count linens, and espresso machines are standard, as are marble bathrooms with rain-style showers or bathtubs, underfloor heating, bespoke toiletries, and fluffy robes and slippers. Suites dial up the luxury with working fireplaces, private terraces, or sitting rooms. The real showstoppers here are the Isobel and Archibald suites—named for Scottish explorers, the views from their floor-to-ceiling bay windows are the best in the hotel.

Amenities

The Wallace sits on the second floor, a clubby, guests-only restaurant with postcard views of Castle Hill framed by its large picture windows. Book a table to dine on Scottish comfort food classics with a haute-cuisine twist (like haggis bonbons, North Sea haddock and chips, and sticky toffee pudding), or pull up a leather armchair by the fireplace and order a full afternoon tea. Breakfast is served in the same space, with options for a legendary "full Scottish" or lighter fare like housemade mueslis, smoked salmon, and poached eggs. The adjoining wood-paneled bar houses a collection of over 100 whiskies; those looking for a more intimate, guided tasting experience can book the private Ghillie Room.

Family-Friendliness

Children are welcome at 100 Princes Street, though the opulent interiors and clubby feel draw a more adult crowd. Ages five and under stay for free, extra beds can be added to larger rooms for an additional cost, and there are multiple interconnecting room options that are ideal for larger families. The restaurant offers a kids' menu, and the staff is happy to help arrange family-friendly activities.