London may be the bigger UK city, but when it comes to stellar whisky and attainable luxury, Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh is where it’s at—and for a five-star accommodation that can go the limits, look no further than The Glasshouse Hotel.
Located in the heart of the city center, The Glasshouse Hotel first opened its doors in 2003. The property is partially situated in the former Lady Glenorchy Church, a 170-year-old establishment and pillar in Scottish history. Today, the hotel comprises 77 rooms, of which 20 are massive suites, and offers easy access to some of the city’s top attractions, restaurants, and cocktail bars.
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, The Glasshouse Hotel seamlessly meshes Scottish history with modern amenities, equipped with a vast rooftop garden and on-site whisky bar (with indoor fireplace!) to boot.
Both standard rooms and spacious suites are offered at The Glasshouse, though for a truly remarkable experience, you’d be remiss to not stay in one of the latter. Each of The Glasshouse’s signature suites are named for a classic Scotch whisky distillery and receive a nightly gift in homage of their title (more details on that below).
Beyond its breathtaking facade, the interior offerings at The Glasshouse are just as impressive. The spacious rooms and on-site brasserie offer beautiful views of Calton Hill, though whisky lovers would be remiss to not spend time with the highly knowledgeable staff at the property’s on-site bar, The Snug. Chat with a team member and allow them to guide you through its extensive list of whisky offerings, or leave it to the experts and enjoy a custom craft cocktail against the warmth of the indoor fire pit.
While the on-site amenities make it tempting to stick around, The Glasshouse serves as an excellent home base for exploring all of the delights that Edinburgh has to offer—and its convenient location from Waverley train station makes spontaneous day trips to nearby towns incredibly simple.
Top Takeaways
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Star-Rating: Five-star
The Vibe: Attainable luxury with a hospitable staff situated within walking distance from some of the city’s main attractions, including Edinburgh’s main train station and a local tramway stop.
Food + Drink: While The Brasserie is open daily for breakfast, the true heart and soul of The Glasshouse’s F&B program is found at The Snug. Located in the center of the hotel, this cozy corner underwent a full renovation in 2018 and offers the perfect place for guests to enjoy a snack, craft cocktail, or simple dram of whisky. Complete with an indoor fireplace and velvet couches, The Snug also offers a selection of premium cigars to pair with your libations, which can be enjoyed via direct access to the expansive outdoor roof space.
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel? It’s truly a tie between cozying up with a pour of whisky The Snug’s fireplace and the hotel’s indelible turndown service, which features a dram of whisky from the distillery of which your suite is named after, a Scottish poem printed out on beautiful paper, and shortbread cookies left on the nightstand.
Any Neighborhood Recs? The Glasshouse is conveniently located at a walking distance from many of the city’s major attractions, including Calton Hill, Queen Street, and St. Andrew’s Square. For oysters and drinks in a grandiose space, check out Café Royal Edinburgh on St. Andrew’s Square. The award-winning cocktail bars Bramble Bar and Panda & Sons are also walkable from the hotel.
What’s Nearby? The Glasshouse Hotel is located right next to Edinburgh’s famed Playhouse Theatre, a short walk from Topping & Company Booksellers, and is surrounded by countless pubs, restaurants, and cocktail bars (we recommend hitting up Uno Mas across the street).
Amenities: Spacious rooms with sitting areas and desks, in-room Nespresso machines, large-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, 24-hour front desk, concierge, an expansive rooftop terrace, on-site cocktail bar, and unforgettable Scottish breakfast.
Rooms: There are 77 rooms in total, of which 20 are dedicated suites of varying sizes, the largest being the Lady Glenorchy Suite at 89㎡.
Pricing: Rates start at $230 – $745 a night.
Closest Airport: Edinburgh Airport (20-minute drive) or a 10-minute walk to Edinburgh Waverley train station
