The Principal Edinburgh George Street – Edinburgh
George Street was built in the 18th century as the showpiece street for New Town, and this grand city hotel certainly lives up to the road’s prestigious history. While the pillared entrance hall feels palatial, the rooms are anything but austere, with softly glowing glass pendants by the bedside, Bute blankets in tasteful grey at the foot of the bed and a soft colour palette taken from 19th-century Scottish landscape paintings. Downstairs is The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen, once home to novelist Susan Ferrier and John Oliphant, whose decendents founded one of Scotland’s most famous publishing houses. It is here you’ll find the finest Stornoway black pudding at breakfast and Tweed Valley Scotch beef cooked at night. This isn’t the sort of place you forget which city you are in once through the front door, this hotel has a true sense of itself – even the guest services team wear kilts. Doubles from £189.
tip
Name to Know: Guest relations manager, Chiara Candiano, who can point you in the direction of Edinburgh’s best sights, like the Water of Leith running through Stockbridge.
See: The spectacular views of Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park.
Eat: Scotland’s world-class ingredients take centre stage at The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen with modern takes on Haggis, neeps and tatties.
Buy: A Harris Tweed dog collar from The Edinburgh Woollen Mill store on 139 Princes Street (10 min walk from the hotel).
Want to find out more? Visit the hotel's website.
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