Details
*Virgin Atlantic Little Red flies six times daily from London Heathrow to Edinburgh and is offering return fares from £88 per person. For further information contact www.virginatlantic.com or call 0844 2092 770. This fare is available for selected departures during 2013. Prices given are correct as of today and are subject to change.
Address
The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 2AB. Nightly rates start at £190 per night. For further information or to make a reservation, please call +44 (0) 131 222 8888;www.thecaledonian.waldorfastoria.com.
About
The Caley has long been part of the Edinburgh landscape, having opened its doors as a railway hotel in 1903. Recently welcomed into the Hilton fold, the hotel has just undergone a shiny £24 million refurbishment. Its location, smack bang on Princes Street, puts you in the heart of all the shopping, eating and partying action the city has to offer.
Décor
Entering The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel is like stepping back in time: the hotel’s place in history is apparent everywhere you look, from the grand staircase and the opulent stained glass windows to the double wide corridors, built so that ladies could easily pass each other in their voluminous ballgowns. The rooms are equally luxe, but with modern twists: spacious with awe-inspiring castle views, they boast vast marble bathrooms with rain showers and Ferragamo products, iPod docks, Nespresso machines, and art deco lamps. Design features such as subtle tartan textiles, gilded wallpaper and dark wood panelling run throughout the hotel, marrying old and new.
Highlights
The vast hotel could easily feel impersonal; luckily the staff, from the dapper doormen to the sommelier, are uber knowledgeable and genuinely friendly. The Guerlain spa – the only one of its kind in the UK – is so indulgent it ought to be illegal (more on that later).
Eat and Drink
The hotel is a foodie nirvana, with three (count ‘em) restaurants on offer. Our favourite was The Pompadour by Galvin, a sumptuous French affair spearheaded by the inimitable Galvin brothers – haute dining at its finest. For those in the mood for something more casual, Galvin Brasserie de Luxe offers up local and seasonal specialities (we say head straight to the seafood counter), while Peacock Alley is a must-visit for afternoon tea if the girls are in tow. Those who like a slug (or two) of spirits should head to The Caley Bar for an extensive Scotch whisky menu. If you eat your way through the hotel, Timberyard around the corner is also worth a visit.
Other Things To Check Out
Though The Fringe has rolled out of town, there’s still a lot to do. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is well worth a visit for an exhibition of Purple and Dazed + Confused photographer Viviane Sassen’s arresting work. As for shopping, Scottish textiles fit seamlessly into the grunge redux: take advantage of the well-priced cashmere and tartan (Saint Laurent, eat your heart out). Plus, there ain’t no party like an EDN party…if you don’t have New Year’s plans, make your way to Edinburgh for Hogmanay.
Top Tip
Book a (newly renovated) suite for amped up luxury…let’s just say there’s a reason Sean Connery stays here every time he’s in town.
Why Go Now
With Edinburgh only a stone’s throw away, this is the perfect time to sneak out of London for a quick break before the silly season. Plus, Virgin Atlantic Little Red* has just launched a LDN> EDN service from Heathrow, so getting there couldn’t be simpler.
