Easy Escapes: The W Edinburgh is a forward-thinking hotel in the heart of the city centre

The W Edinburgh has to be one of the most anticipated new launches in the capital in recent years. This futuristic gold structure was unveiled in 2021—meaning it enjoyed plenty of publicity before the official opening in St James Quarter last year. But there's plenty more to discover behind the hotel's impressive facade. 

The W Edinburgh, part of the Marriott hotel group, has a lot going for it—an enviable city-centre location, luxe suites with features worth shouting about, as well as being home to the first SUSHISAMBA in Scotland. The expansive rooftop bar, offering panoramic views of the city's historic skyline, is a definite draw, bringing in Edinburgh's most stylish crowd alongside guests from across the globe. With many hotels across the city having a more traditional feel, the W brings something more contemporary to Edinburgh's hospitality scene.

Edinburgh has long been established as one of the leading destinations for a UK-based staycation. Located in St James Quarter, the W Edinburgh is just a short walk from sights like Edinburgh Castle, The Witchery restaurant and The Edinburgh Playhouse. It's just two minutes from Waverley Station on foot and also within walking distance to the majestic Arthur's Seat, the highest in a group of peaks in Holyrood Park (One Day fans will recognise it from the first episode of the Netflix series). 

There's no doubt the W Edinburgh is an incredible structure that's shaking up the city's skyline. Which begs the question, what's Edinburgh's most talked-about new hotel like inside?

The rooms

The bedrooms at the W Hotel Edinburgh take the concept of modern decor to new heights, with high-tech features and a firm focus on ergonomics. It's all smooth curves and helpful tech amenities in these almost-futurist-looking rooms and suites. Take, for example, the Wow and Extreme Wow Suites boasting revolving circular beds that guests can swivel to either face the TV or the city skyline. There are 199 rooms and 45 suites in total, ranging from the 'Wonderful Kings' rooms to the 'Extreme Wow' suites. 

The W brand is no stranger to innovation, offering unique and quirky touches to its hotel rooms across the globe. But it would appear the W Edinburgh is taking a next-gen approach to luxury hotel rooms, not just with their revolving beds, but also fire pits on the vast balconies of the suites and floor-to-ceiling windows that make the most of Edinburgh's epic views. 

Even the more modest accommodation options, the 'Wonderful Kings' rooms, feel luxurious, with a slick design and the fancy amenities you come to expect from the W brand (think a lighted makeup mirror, superior tea and coffee making facilities, plush robes and slippers, and a handy alarm clock to name a few). 

The food

Exceptional dining is at the forefront at W Hotel Edinburgh, with three restaurant-comes-bars to choose from. The W Lounge is the hotel's all-day dining spot, offering light bites, sharing platters and bigger evening meals, along with a thoughtfully crafted drinks menu. 

The cosy setting here makes it the perfect place to while away an afternoon, or a scenic spot for pre-dinner drinks with floor-to-ceiling windows that show off the city's glittering skyline—Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle are all in view from the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows. 

You may have visited SUSHISAMBA in London, but the Edinburgh experience offers a Scottish twist on the Japanese-South American fusion exclusive to the restaurant. Think dishes like Highland wagyu gyoza, Scrabster-landed tuna ceviche and the Samba Edinburgh roll with lobster. 

The restaurant is on the tenth floor, situated beneath a showstopping copper-blossom tree, dreamed up by Harry Potter set designers. Head to Joao’s Place on the 11th floor for a late-night cocktail, an intimate speakeasy serving Brazilian-themed drinks and light bites. Inspired by the São Paulo neighbourhood of Liberdade, the space feels more like somebody's chic apartment than a hotel bar, with a patio where guests can soak up the city's views. There's also the option to try the chef’s table dining experience at Joao's, which seats 16. 

The activites

The hotel's spa offers holistic treatments using local Scottish brand Ishga, with four treatment rooms; Fire, Earth, Water and Air, as well as a couple's treatment room for dual massages. There's also a penthouse with its own sauna and outdoor shower—if you're after the super-luxe spa experience in an intimate setting.  

The W Edinburgh also boasts the brand’s signature Sound Suite recording studio, which is a first for the UK and the second in Europe. The Sound Suite is a hub of creativity, empowering musicians, podcasters, DJs, and artists to create and record inspired by Edinburgh’s diverse influences. 

Need to know

Rooms at W Edinburgh start at £399 for a Double Room (B&B) and you can book through the hotel's website or phone at: 0131 388 8000.

LNER trains offer a fast, reliable—and really stylish—service from London Kings Cross (journey time is just over four hours) with spacious seats and surprisingly good seasonal menus featuring great vegetarian options and reliable Wifi.

Details of their Let’s Eat at Your Seat service in Standard can be found here.