Carved into the former Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters on St Andrew Square, the Edinburgh Grand is one of the buzziest places to stay in town. There are 50 rooms in total, ranging from studios to one- and two-bedroom suites and each comes with a proper, fully-equipped kitchen and sitting room, so you can come and go as you please in the thick of the New Town however long you're staying. In the lobby, a dazzling art deco foyer opens up into a grand circular staircase and a clutch of in-house bars and a steakhouse - actually, one of the best in town. The tram to the airport also stops right outside, making connections flawless.
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The apartments were designed one by one, from compact studios to a three-bedroom penthouse, and each keeps a few original bones: tall, Edinburgh-esque windows, generous proportions, and the odd cornice. Kitchens are properly kitted out with Nespresso machines and dishwasher and even Bose speakers, while bathrooms have rainfall showers and, in some, freestanding tubs. In mezzanine apartments, bedrooms are reach via a glass-fronted staircase. Splash out on the penthouse and you'll get 194 square metres and a terrace gazing straight at the Castle.
Padding down each morning into a dazzling foyer of marble and brass that the bank's old clerks once crossed on their way to work.
Book a private dinner inside an original walk-in bank safe in the Lady Libertine bar and restaurant in the old basement vaults. But book well ahead – there's only one!
The studios are on the petite side – lovely, but compact once you've spread out. For longer stays, or if you're travelling with bags or kids, opt for a one-bedroom.
Start with a recommended trip or create one from scratch
The Edinburgh Grand can be booked with Timbuktu as part of a tailor-made UK trip, rather than as a standalone room reservation. Start online, customising one of our recommended UK trips featuring The Edinburgh Grand or get advice and suggestions from one of our UK specialists who will design the trip around your dates, check availability and handle every booking for you.
Stays at The Edinburgh Grand start from around $170, or US$170, per person per night as part of a tailor-made trip. The exact price depends on your travel dates, room type and the shape of the rest of your itinerary. A Timbuktu travel specialist can give you an accurate quote for your dates.
Scotland’s alluring capital city of ancient architecture, charm, culture and cuisine in spades.
