The Kimpton Charlotte Square makes it really damn hard to leave your hotel when visiting Edinburgh. Housing two of the capital’s best restaurants and boasting a seriously chic spa and swimming pool offering, it’s easy to forget there’s anything outside the Georgian walls of the West End hotel.
The Kimpton’s whopping 199 rooms pay homage to its Scottish setting, with kitsch drawings of local wildlife adorning the muted plaid walls, with tartan soft furnishings aplenty. But before you think this all sounds a bit stuffy – you’re wrong. Expect leafy green plants, tweed covered record players and radios, bright red telephones, hidden coffee machines and velvet touches – oh and, you know, huge TV screens perfectly watched from big, fluffy beds made up of handmade mattresses (best enjoyed with a room service cocktail in hand). Their staff, meanwhile, somehow manage to do it all – being chatty while professional, funny while serious about top service and every member comes armed with an endless list of Edinburgh recommendations.
Spread across seven traditional Georgian houses, The Kimpton has plenty of space for its food and drink offerings – but be warned, these spots are so popular that guests will find themselves battling it out against locals for a seat. Aizle is Edinburgh’s famed fine dining restaurant (no, really, it’s recommended by the Michelin Guide) from chef Stuart Ralston, which showcases an ever-evolving menu of local produce. Baba is a more casual affair, offering rustic-chic Mediterranean plates alongside charcoal grill dishes and cocktails in a setting that’ll have you forgetting you’re in Scotland.
Managed to peel yourself away? Make sure to grab a Jessica Fletcher-esque bike from reception, they’re free for all guests.
Neighbourhood
The Kimpton is right in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End – turn left and you’re a moment’s walk away from the bustling shopping area of Princes Street (and truly ridiculous views of the castle), turn right and you’re on track to Queen Street, where many of the capital’s best cocktail bars reside. Fortunately it’s only a short wobble home after you’ve tasted their wares.
Nearby
1. Panda and Sons: One of the Capital’s most famous cocktail bars, housed behind the facade of a barber’s shop.
2. Princes Street Gardens: A former loch in the city centre with truly spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle, the gardens on Princes Street are the perfect spot for a stroll, ice cream and sunbathe. Make sure to get a photo of Ross Fountain.
3. The Palmerston: If you can tear yourself away from the Kimpton’s in-house food offerings, no trip to Edinburgh is complete without a visit to this fortunately nearby restaurant – where local produce is served up honestly.
Time Out Tip
Ready to feel some proper Scottish hospitality and culture? Head to one of Ghillie Dhu’s ceilidhs (a traditional Scottish gathering with dancing) which take place on a Friday evening. This isn’t just a wee jig with your pals, this is a proper night out, with drinks and a three-course meal before the band comes out and traditional Scottish social dancing commences (don't worry, instructions are provided to you newcomers).
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