With so much to see and do in bustling Edinburgh, the chance to retreat to the relative calm and serenity of a spa hotel has plenty of appeal.
(Photo: Norton House Hotel & Spa / Courtesy Booking.com)
A hugely popular tourist destination, the Scottish capital and its surroundings offer visitors a wide choice of accommodation options, ranging from the budget to the ultra-luxurious. Among the city’s many places to stay are several spa hotels where visitors can avail themselves of a range of wellness facilities. If you’re coming to Edinburgh and like the idea of having access to such amenities, we’ve picked out five of the city’s best spa hotels below.
Norton House Hotel & Spa
Set in an impressive Victorian mansion and surrounded by 55 acres of leafy, well-maintained grounds in the western reaches of Edinburgh, the 4-star Norton House includes a luxurious spa and health among its on-site amenities. Here, guests can make use of a swimming pool with feature fountains, a sauna, a steam room, a hydrotherapy pool, a well-equipped gym and treatment rooms. Elsewhere in the hotel, there’s a brasserie offering classic British fare and a cocktail lounge that’s ideal for pre-dinner drinks and nightcaps. For visitors arriving in their own car, there’s free on-site parking. The city centre is about a 25-minute drive away. From £395 per night.
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
(Photo: Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa / Courtesy Booking.com)
One of central Edinburgh’s most prestigious accommodation options, the Sheraton has all the trappings of a 5-star luxury hotel – including a sumptuous spa. A swimming pool, a gymnasium and treatment rooms await visitors keen to revitalise and re-energise, though unless you’ve booked Club-level rooms these do cost extra. Thermal Suite and rooftop Hydropool experiences, called Escape at One, are also available with a surcharge. Modern guest rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV and small sitting areas, and some also offer views of Edinburgh Castle, located a short walk away. There’s also a British restaurant and bar offering all-day dining. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is a few minutes away on foot. From £366 per night.
Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club
Another option away from the city centre, this upscale but affordable hotel is set in a Baronial-style manor house amid some 1,000 acres of scenic parkland. As well as a spa with a sauna, indoor pool, fitness centre and beauty treatments, the hotel is also home to two 18-hole golf courses and tennis courts to complete its stellar line-up of recreation and leisure facilities. There’s also a gourmet restaurant offering views of the golf courses. Guest rooms are designed and decorated in a warm, refined style and are equipped with a flat-screen TV and tea/coffee-makers. The city centre can be reached in about 25 minutes by car. From £153 per night.
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel
(Photo: Apex Waterloo Place Hotel / Courtesy Booking.com)
It can be a challenge to find a city centre hotel that’s both relatively easy on the wallet and packed full of great amenities. Step forward Aped Waterloo Place, housed in an imposing building dating back to the early 19th century in Edinburgh’s Old Town. The state-of-the-art spa facilities certainly provide ample excuse to stay in your hotel rather than explore, with its pool, fitness centre and sizeable suite of massage and beauty treatments. Modern guest rooms also entice, boasting stylish décor and designer toiletries in the ensuite bathroom. The hotel also offers an on-site restaurant serving traditional Scottish cuisine. The Royal Mile, lined with historic buildings and shops, is on the hotel’s doorstep. From £138 per night.
The Caledonian
Nestled in the heart of the city centre, just steps from vibrant Princes Street, this 5-star hotel is both a prime base for exploring Edinburgh’s main attractions and a haven to escape the high energy of the city. Central to the hotel’s retreat-like qualities is its spa, where guests can indulge in beauty treatments and make use of facilities including a swimming pool with whirlpool, a fitness suite, a sauna and a steam room. There are also two gourmet restaurants, a lobby lounge and a bar. The elegantly designed guest rooms are no less impressive, featuring a flat-screen TV and Nespresso machine, while some suites come with living spaces and views of Edinburgh Castle. From £432 per night.