W Edinburgh – A chic 5-star haven blending modern luxury with Scottish charm, offering stunning views and gourmet dining in the heart of the city.
A chronicled rich city belle, with an invigorating chic splash of pizzaz and a penchant for the ritzy debonair life, Edinburgh now boasts the W Edinburgh as its latest jewel.
The historically prosperous Scottish capital of Edinburgh (also lovingly christened as Auld Reekie), has forevermore wallowed in its treasured prestige as a luminous architectural beacon of enriching cultural expeditions, entangled with a trendy swivel of high octane jamborees, gastronomical havens and hush-hush cocktail dens, not to neglect a luxe hotel hideaway catalogue of the mightiest extravagance.
Serving as a glamour-soaked, newfangled five-star ode to this regal Caledonian cosmopolis, the native people of Edina have embraced with impassioned fervour seven years after its grandeur declaration, the arrival of THAT iconic W Edinburgh. Cozily nestled within the luxe Marriott International portfolio, the W collection, including the W Edinburgh, has injected a dose of its famed slick hotel trappings which have bedazzled glitterati cliques around the realm, from the time of its glitzy genesis in 1998 within the concrete jungle and Manolo loving city of New York.
Accelerating at zealous throttle over two decades later, the W Hotels clique, now including the W Edinburgh, flaunts with an unabashed demeanour a sassy assemblage, of over 65 resorts all showcasing their own unique quirky vision of liberated hospitality luxury, in the globe’s most beau-monde-soaked cities from the vivacious fashionable seaside town of Bali’s Seminyak, spirited Grand Prix retreat of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, to now, the immersive festival capital of the world of Edinburgh.
Nouvelle Chic Grandeur
Christened as the “Ribbon Hotel” by designers and creatives, The W Edinburgh debuted its flamboyant presence last year seven years after its thrilling announcement to the Dunedin locals, pinpointed at a blink of an eye, two-minute stroll from Waverley train station in the reanimated district of the St. James Quarter.
Scrupulously hand-picked to capture a dramatic medley of avant-garde modernity with the city’s sacred history, it was up to the talents of London-based architectural maestros Jestico + Whiles, to weave their sorcery on this distinctive interlinking assembly of the Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk, and the Quarter House at W Edinburgh. Where the Quarter House drew upon the influence of a quintessential design frame with a striking stone frontage, James Craig Walk had chosen to embrace Auld Reekie’s cherished chronicles through its heritage-listed terrace whilst the twelve-storey ribbon binding building of W Edinburgh, remained engrossed in honing in on an unconventional offbeat essence with those glossy copper binds cocooning around the hotel up into the cloudy skies, not to forget that iconic colossal W illuminating its shade-shifting hues with gusto.
Warmly greeted by the besuited doorman, a swivel of a gleaming glass door revealed the artistic imagination of Jestico + Whiles’s aesthetics flair, which was zeroing in on the coastal borough’s remarkable geography built atop a volcanic rock, interweaved with the elements of Fire and Water with backlit yellow features. An exquisite bronze tasselled ceiling in the glamorous W lounge was elevated by a bold mural and remarkable photography collection by Craig Black and Jodie Mann respectively, with the gaze soon shifted to the spectacle of the check-in domain embellished with solid grey rock welcome desks, each hosting the debonair W brigade impeccably attired in their suave crisp cut ensembles.
Hard on my heels with a welcome champagne flute, the ever-gracious team made it their business to accomplish the check-in assignment before the third sip of my sparkling beverage, and have me escorted to the splendour of my lofty lodgings to commence the 48 hours of pukka, unorthodox extravagance.
Accommodation
244 ravishing rooms stake their claim within the W’s café society shelter, including 45 colossal suites exuding intense pleasure-seeking indulgence whilst offering a fresh interpretation of contemporary lavishness. Where the glitzy habitat of the Wonderful Room offers up a generous 280sqft of granite stone features, warming colour hues and trendy accessories complete with a generous living room space, the tremendous lineup of the Fabulous Castle View Room serves up to their elite lodgers, 247sqft of exquisite settings including locally inspired bold shaded tartan carpets, as the spotless floor to ceiling windows unveil the breathtaking imperial scenes of Edinburgh Castle.
Never one to host, woo or serenade their entrancing invitees in anything other than the land of milk and honey, it was the hedonistic habitation of the Extreme Wow Suite, which was unanimously deemed to be a dapper worthy suitor for yours truly to be spending the next 48 hours of a glorious Caledonian vacation.
Spanning out to a gargantuan open plan 1600sqft, the W’s extreme wow sanctuary serves as the ultimate luxe fantasy digs, for even the most discerning corps d’elite cliques creating their own trendy spin on a hotel’s classic Presidential Suite. Drawing back to the inspiration from the volcanic rock, a stunning granite island counter had claimed the reigning spotlight within the aptly christened rock bar podium, neatly set on smooth wooden flooring and bejewelled with a dazzling crystal paraphernalia collection of intricate glassware and accessories to mix up those shaken martinis, for one to then succumb onto the luxuriant chaise lounge in the private living room space.
Ultra-modern yet no-nonsense features also graced their presence in and around the suite, from simple mood light settings, blind controls and countless USB charging dotted across the space all encircling a polished white doused walk-in wardrobe, vanity setup and slick free-standing bath housing a heady library of fragrant frills by MOMO, not to miss on acknowledging the under-lit, sheer draped revolving circular bed created to ooze raw rock and roll sex appeal.
The righteous show-stopping element, however, rested with nothing other than the sultry mise en scène of the curvaceous private outdoor terrace. A bewitching moody ambience forged by the trappings of the jewel amethyst seating, botanicals and the circular fireplace was further elevated by the moody grey skies dropping over the haunting, yet ethereal vision of the castle.
Strolling back into the warmth of my presidential quarters, I took immense pleasure in pouring myself an agile coup of a pink “Goddess” cocktail concoction whipped up and bottled by the dynamite hotel brigade, before calling up some local bosom friends to gear up for a midnight terrace soirée and heading for an evening of Wow culinary magic.
Artful Gourmet Expeditions
From sapid seasonal delicacies, robata fiestas to tropical aperitif creations, The W Edinburgh had aspired in and in turn executed their quest without even a glitch, to release an elegant sense and revived lease of bon vivant existence, into the city’s epicurean landscape.
Stirring up a medley of far-flung influenced concoctions on the dizzying lofty heights of the W’s 11th floor, the intimate backdrop of Joao’s Place takes pride in playing to their hush-hush apartment speakeasy notion with a homely yet flamboyant aura, evoking the bouncy and dynamic Brazilian neighbourhood of São Paulo’s Liberdade for guests to indulge in a spot of cheeky debauchery and gossip over Joao’s exotic libations. A hidden corner door unveiled a fearlessly bold burst of bright pigments painting its presence in and around Joao’s Place against golden timber features, as a floor lamp bearing a Barbie pink fringe shade cosily stood nestled by vibrant multi-toned silk curtains, whilst the wood and stone set the stage for the soft fabric pouffe seating on countless rainbow shades. Gracing my company right at the illuminating territory of the bar space, the talented mixologist crew wasted not a nanosecond in whipping up their many Brazilian refreshments, swirled with the celebration of Liberdade playing home to São Paulo’s largest Japanese community.
Vibing to the infectious vinyl rhythms pulsating throughout the space, a smooth sweet conception of the Tropicalismo had swiftly made an appearance into my grasp, brimming with the citrus tart mix of passionfruit, twirled with the smooth creamed and lavender touch from the coconut gin and Ukiyo Yuzu. In the 1980s, a fresh tide of music artists from around the globe had amassed over to Brazil to get in on the Bossa Nova fever destined to take on the world. It was therefore only fitting to sample one of Joao’s many Bossa Lobations from his creative cocktail catalogue of the Porto Sour, sipping away on the butter toffee and caramel notes of the Black Tot Rum, enveloped around the apricot blossom tang of Leith Port as I ventured out to relish the balmy orange flames of the outdoor fire-pit keeping the frosty sharp chill at bay.
Posing with poise below a shimmering bronze hammered-metal ceiling on the 10th floor lies the globally famed and epicurean chef d’oeuvre of SUSHISAMBA. A luxe gastronomy dynamo since its 1999 inception in New York City courtesy of Shimon Bokovza, this theatrical dining destination has fascinated and satiated the appetites of grande cuisine connoisseurs from the soaring sky-scraper palace of London’s Heron Tower to the neon carpet of Sin City we refer as Las Vegas with their bounteous fusion fare of intricate Japanese flavours, swivelled with the spiced aromas of Brazil and rich vibrant gusto from Peru.
Being greeted by an enchanting blooming siren of the restaurant’s signature sculpture was truly a stop-and-stare-away encounter with a burnt orange leaf centre tree, sheathed in layers of golden twinkly lights that played flawlessly on the restaurant’s trademark “earth-to-sky” motif showcased in all their jet set eateries. Gleefully consenting to their proposal of pre-dinner aperitif amongst the lustre of the tree’s luminous glow, the legendary mixup of a Samba Sour had paved the path for the evening of haute dining with its velvety nectar of cherry and creamy almonds from Maraschino liqueur, blending immaculately into the fluffy egg white topping.
With the darkening twilight hour making a showing and the DJ raves turning it up a notch or three, the modelesque host steered the way to my VIP window throne to soak up the stately visions of Edinburgh’s milestone, munching through a moreish bowl of warm, nutty butter like edamame before a luxurious spread of small plate starters made their way. The melting umami-tinged beef from the wagyu gyozas had synced to the silken sweet, butternut like purée from the kabocha, whilst the golden crisp shrimp tempura revealed meaty tender flesh swirled with the lightly spiced mayo, finished with a generous sprinkling of shaved black truffle.
An innovative spin on the lychee martini, the Nash martini oozed with the floral pear burst of lychee blend beautifully into the intense fruity zest from the Grey Goose La Poire vodka and passionfruit syrup, as the raw Tiradito dish made its way showcasing solid yet delicate mild yellowtail fish which popped from the earthy, spiced pepper tints of jalapeños.
A penchant for a flavourful Robata encounter, the poussin unveiled melt-in-the-mouth morsels of succulent white meat brimming with lashings of teriyaki and smoked charcoal savour aroused from the Japanese grill, before winding up with the starlet sushi serving of the Samba Edinburgh Roll bursting with delectable lobster flakes and mustard like wasabi mayo, not to neglect my favoured nightcap of a ruby Cosmopolitan in hand.
Breakfast at SUSHISAMBA proves an equally tantalising experience while absorbing the quaint 360° views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. Serving up a sumptuous a la carte bill of fare, bowls of ripe mixed berry fruit bear gentle bright edible flowers, whilst the full Scottish banquet sees thick sausages brimming with caramelised meat juices, next to sweet fresh grilled tomatoes and crispy brown buttered toast.
The hotel’s sleek beating heart of the W Lounge presents a carefree yet sprightly spirit cocooned in bold bright shades, with the cocktail menu honing in on fantasy influences from the folklore and mythical creatures of the Gaelic nations, while guests can also revel in the unparalleled panoramic settings of the 12th floor W Deck, savouring an icy flaxen flute of Laurent Perrier and drinking in the unfettered spectacles of Calton Hill and Edinburgh Castle.
Wellness Bliss
Fashioned and forged to have their pedigreed vacationers catch their breath, the private suite nirvana of the Away spa proposes a safe haven of serene tranquillity with a library of rejuvenation facials, massages and detox treatments, earnestly crafted to awaken your soul within one of five distinct treatment rooms built around the elements of Water, Fire, Earth, Air and Elements. The Away spa also boasts one the only UK spas to possess a sand bed, inspired by the age-old tradition of sand bathing, to provide a source of pain-relieving formulas.
Welcomed by an intoxicating incense of sandalwood, a warm welcome and green tea from the spa manager soon had me in a sexy dimly lit backdrop, through to the wellness suite where a deep, under-lit hot tub sat bubbling with verve, enveloping me in the hot steaming pool ripples before chauffeuring me into the warm orange glow of my Fire themed room. Laid out on a smooth quartz stand table, the de-stressing massage of the FIRE brought about a sense of euphoric composure melting away the city life strains through the use of volcanic basalt stones, before kneading away the tight body tractions using Ishga’s uplifting skincare, leaving me in that airy, cloud 9 mindsets before retreating to the powerful rain showers fitted with ambient lights to alter with the jet settings.
Adrenaline-revved clientele also have the joy of the cool FIT gym centre, fitted out with cutting-edge gadgets to flex up those workout groove to gear visitors up for the day of Caledonian activities.
The Final W Conclusion
The W Edinburgh stands as a glossed-up testament to the sprightly fascinating festival psyche of this culturally rich capital, that rings throughout the hotel’s bona fide arty aesthetics against the eclectic jumble of marrying the W Wow essence of frolicsome and trendsetting.
With skip-beat round curve vistas, plushy suites and unparalleled chic dining ensembles giving rise to numberless wow factors, the W Edinburgh stands proud as a reimagined hotel icon in Auld Reekie where in the W Hotels own words, they “view luxury as the freedom to be yourself and to deliver on that without boundaries, providing a stage for self-expression and a world of infinite possibilities” – a philosophy fully embodied by the W Edinburgh.
