Situated on Edinburgh’s most well-known thoroughfares and providing what must be some of the enviable vistas of town from any resort window, 100 Princes Avenue is the most recent addition to the family-owned Purple Carnation Resorts assortment, and arguably its most unique. Evocative of a personal members’ membership and a celebration of Scottish exploration, the property options 30 superbly appointed visitor rooms and suites, ‘The Wallace’ eating room, bar and lounge and ‘Ghillie’s Pantry’, a chic non-public eating house providing over 200 whiskies together with customized whisky experiences. The Luxurious Editor not too long ago stayed so learn on to find extra about this actually one-of-a-kind luxurious resort within the coronary heart of the Scottish capital.
Occupying a landmark constructing that when housed the Royal Abroad Membership, now owned by Purple Carnation Resorts, who’ve a observe report in delivering flawless ultra-luxury hospitality with properties throughout London’s Mayfair, South Africa, Geneva, Eire and now Edinburgh. The constructing’s legacy has been preserved, enhanced and celebrated by a meticulous restoration led by designer Toni Tollman and the inventive minds behind the resort teams Xigera Safari Lodge and Ashford Citadel, which sees imagery and styling of Scottish explorers and botanists woven all through the communal areas and visitor quarters.
At its entrance, an affable doorman welcomes you inside, stepping off this historic stretch of Princes Avenue and into the doorway foyer, the transition from metropolis bustle to subtle sanctuary is speedy. The atmospheric ground-floor atrium delivers such dramatic magnificence it’s in contrast to the rest within the metropolis. Deep mahogany panelling with gold detailing sits subsequent to towering Doric columns, black marble flooring, and a sculptural palm-glass lamp, whereas a glowing round motif on the wall behind the concierge desk nods to celestial navigation, a thematic prelude to the voyage-like expertise that awaits.
Forward, the central staircase results in guestrooms and the communal areas, serving as each a practical characteristic and visible centrepiece with its hand-painted mural ribboning its approach up all 5 flooring. Charting the worldwide journeys of Scottish botanists, every stair stage showcases totally different areas they explored and the plant species they launched, all introduced by the lens of late Victorian and Edwardian design aesthetics. Culminating on the fifth ground with a chandelier, designed to resemble a classic sizzling air balloon, including a closing contact of journey to the journey.
Verify-In
With a concierge desk on the bottom ground, check-in is a relaxed affair happening in ‘The Wallace’ on stage two. As a resident-only resort, 100 Princess Avenue gives a uniquely intimate expertise, with a group devoted to offering private, attentive, and an ‘something, anytime’ service to each visitor throughout their keep. The Wallace (named after William Wallace) capabilities because the resort’s eating room, bar, library and lounge and serves as an ideal introduction to the resort’s ambiance, with Suite company greeted with a further welcome indulgence of a complimentary glass of champagne upon arrival. The Wallace is an area that rewards a slower tempo, so sit again and calm down by the hearth, leaf by considered one of its espresso desk journey memoirs, and benefit from the views of Edinburgh by its bay home windows.
Location
It’s a quick five-minute stroll to and from Waverley Station and an additional ten minutes on foot to the Outdated City and the Royal Mile. Town’s fundamental procuring locations St James Quarter and Multrees Stroll, are in your doorstep alongside Harvey Nichols, and for these drawn to Edinburgh’s Georgian magnificence, George Avenue, which runs parallel behind the resort, gives grand interval structure and boutique procuring. Outdoors, trams from Princes Avenue whisk you all the way down to Edinburgh’s vibrant Leith Docks, whereas heading within the different course takes you to Edinburgh Airport in simply 35 minutes.
Rooms & Suites
30 visitor rooms and suites characteristic daring, immersive and theatrical aesthetics all through, partitions and smooth furnishings are cloaked in bespoke Highland-inspired tartan, some rooms supply a palette of deep inexperienced, and a few others are crimson. Polished black lacquered doorways with brass detailing evoke the magnificence of classic baggage trunks, whereas studded porthole shutters lend a clubroom ambiance. Offset by interval portraits and bespoke furnishings, many rooms have uninterrupted views of Edinburgh Citadel. Loos proceed the theme of discreet luxurious, wrapped completely in veined marble slabs in heat brown and sand tones, together with luxurious walk-in rainfall showers and bespoke facilities as normal, whereas choose rooms embrace bathtubs and twin vanities.
Suites & Signature Suites
There are 5 classes, two Terrace Suites every supply non-public outside house (that is just about distinctive in Edinburgh’s metropolis centre), with one Terrace Suite additionally in a position to interconnect with one other room for bigger visitor events. Junior Suites are brilliant and spacious, with a day mattress and unobstructed views of the fortress, whereas the One Bed room King Suites present a homely sense of house with a separate lounge and have hearth. Suites additionally include an array of extras, together with a welcome drink on arrival, nightly turndown service, in-room welcome fruit and ginger cookies, together with a bottle of Champagne on ice for Junior Suites and above.
The 2 Signature Suites are notably particular. The Isobel Suite, named after Arctic explorer and botanist Isobel Wylie Hutchison, is an open-plan house with excessive ceilings and a marble rest room that includes each a bath and a walk-in bathe. The Archibald Suite, the resort’s largest, honours explorer Archibald Menzies with an expansive format, castle-facing home windows, a lounge space with hearth, and a spacious rest room and separate visitor WC, with each suites going through out to Edinburgh Citadel.
The Isobel Suite
The Archibald Suite
The place I Stayed – Junior Suite with Citadel View
Throughout my keep, I used to be hosted in a good looking Junior Suite with Citadel View positioned on the second ground near The Wallace. Spanning a beneficiant 28 sqm, the suite incorporates a king-size mattress dressed with crisp linens and two stacks of embroidered pillows. A day mattress positioned by the window gives a really perfect spot to absorb the view of Princes Avenue Gardens beneath. While the rooms’ tartan-lined partitions, a signature of all rooms within the resort, create a comfy atmosphere, capturing the spirit of Scotland.
Suites embrace a welcome of contemporary fruit and ginger cookies on arrival. Every room is supplied with a flat-screen TV, a Nespresso machine, and a well-stocked minibar, full with contemporary milk for espresso and tea, a protected, bathrobes and slippers together with a whimsical ‘Do Not Disturb’ door signal comprised of a conventional kilt sporran.
Clad completely in putting green-veined marble, the toilet feels each dramatic and serene. The vainness is topped with polished stone and flanked by twin basins, a heated towel rail comes with an abundance of monogrammed towels and a deep-soaking tub features a rainfall bathe and hand bathe. Toiletries are bespoke and are available in heavy black glass bottles displayed neatly in a chrome rack that includes Epsom salts, shampoo, conditioner, and physique wash and the ultimate luxurious underfloor heating.
Suites embrace a turn-down service, with water replenished, millionaire’s shortbread in a glass dome positioned subsequent to the bedside desk and slippers laid out.
Meals & Drink
A collection of intimate, interlinked rooms, The Wallace feels much less like a resort restaurant and extra like an old-world non-public membership. Reserved completely for resort company, it serves breakfast, afternoon tea, night cocktails, and relaxed all-day eating. Emerald velvet sofas and studded leather-based armchairs are paired with low-set, brass and bevelled glass high classic travelling marketing campaign furnishings. The recurring motif is that of exploration, vintage crusing ship fashions, maritime oil work, and etched leather-based wall panels that evoke the textured grain of a well-travelled steamer trunk lining the partitions, whereas a globe rests in a single nook, inviting you to offer it a spin.
The bar is about in opposition to a backdrop of spirit bottles and a mirrored wine wall, topped with black marble and flanked by studded leather-based stools, whereas two classic Artwork Deco lamps sit on both finish of the bar, casting a heat, glow throughout its high.
Govt Chef Wilhelm Maree has designed an all-day menu providing traditional dishes with a contemporary twist. Divided into small plates and bigger dishes, it contains agency favourites such because the Traditional Caesar Salad and Tuna Niçoise, together with extra modern choices like Haggis Bon Bons, Smoked Salmon Latkes and a Scottish Lobster Roll. A dedication to working with the highest quality native suppliers means substances are of the very best normal. Fish and seafood are sourced from Eddie’s Seafood Market, whereas charcuterie comes from East Coast Cured. George Anderson & Sons provide contemporary fruit and greens, cuts of meat are offered by John Gilmour Butchers, and slow-churned butter is courtesy of Edinburgh Butter Co.
We opted for our personal favourites, Fish and Chips, Dry-Aged Aberdeen Angus Burger and for my vegetarian brother, the Lentil Cottage Pie. For dessert, don’t go away with out making an attempt Bea’s Cheesecake, a beloved staple at each Purple Carnation resort, comprised of the household recipe of Beatrice Tollman, the corporate’s president and founder. Together with the traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding, served with copious quantities of butterscotch sauce for good measure, each a superb ending to a dinner.
Breakfast
Breakfast runs until a leisurely 11 am, served à la carte, select one merchandise from the continental choice and one from the cooked menu, and for those who want a choose me as much as get the day began, why not pair issues up with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa?
Whisky Tastings
Ghillie’s Pantry, the identify deriving from the Scottish Gaelic phrase for the aiding attendant on highland looking, stalking, and fishing expeditions, is the resort’s non-public eating space, which additionally holds an distinctive whisky assortment of over 200 whiskies (and nonetheless rising).
Curated by Head Bartender and Whisky Ambassador Dario Orsili (learn our interview with Dario right here), Dario offers company with bespoke tasting experiences, guiding you thru a world of uncommon and historic drams. On the time of writing, there are three whisky-tasting experiences on supply.
- The Livingstone Exploration (£85pp): A journey by 5 whiskies from 5 totally different Scottish areas.
- The Archibald Legacy (£150pp): For individuals who already take pleasure in whisky, a extra premium, uncommon choice, nonetheless regionally primarily based.
- The Hundred Heritage (£250pp): Our premium tasting, that includes uncommon drams from closed or decommissioned distilleries, actually once-in-a-lifetime liquids.
Closing Ideas
100 Princes Avenue is intimate and immersive, the place each element feels significant and regarded. It gives a contemporary tackle five-star lodging in Edinburgh, and for luxurious travellers searching for a really elevated and experience-rich base, that is greater than only a place to remain, it’s one thing actually particular. 100 Princes Avenue is included in our information to the most effective motels in Edinburgh.
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