You’ve seen the postcards. The Castle sits up there on the volcanic rock, looking all moody and medieval. Most tourists scramble for the boutique hotels on the Royal Mile or the big-name luxury spots on Princes Street. They’re fine. But honestly? They’re often loud, cramped, and a bit of a cliché. If you actually want to breathe, you head slightly west to Lothian Road. That’s where the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh sits. It’s a bit of a local legend, mostly because it doesn’t try too hard to be a "castle hotel," yet it manages to feel more exclusive than almost anywhere else in the city.
It’s big. It’s bold.
But it’s also surprisingly quiet. The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh has this weird ability to be right in the middle of the financial district—literally across from the Usher Hall—while feeling like a total sanctuary. You walk through those doors and the chaos of Edinburgh’s traffic just... vanishes. It’s weird. It’s also one of the few places in Scotland where the "spa" part of the name isn't just a marketing afterthought. We’re talking about One Spa, which is arguably the most advanced thermal suite in the country.
The Reality of the "Grand" Experience
People hear "Sheraton" and they think of a standard business hotel. You know the vibe: beige carpets, a desk, a functional bathroom, and a generic breakfast buffet. This isn't that. When this property underwent its massive multi-million pound renovation a few years back, they ditched the corporate cookie-cutter look for something way more "Scottish Modern." Think rich wools, dark woods, and views of the Castle that feel so close you could almost touch the stone.
Most rooms are massive by European standards. You aren't tripping over your suitcase here. The "Grand" in the name actually refers to the footprint. If you book a Castle View room, you're getting a front-row seat to the fireworks during the International Festival or Hogmanay without having to fight the crowds on the street.
Is it perfect? Nothing is. The lobby can get a bit hectic during check-in because it’s a popular spot for conferences and high-end events. If you arrive at 3:00 PM on a Friday, expect a wait. But the staff usually handles it with that specific brand of Scottish hospitality—warm but not fake. They actually seem to like working there.
Why One Spa is Actually the Main Event
Let’s talk about the roof. Or rather, the top floor. Most hotels have a "pool." The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh has a 19-meter swimming pool and, more importantly, an outdoor rooftop hydropool.
It’s iconic.
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Imagine it’s February. It’s 2 degrees outside. There’s a light drizzle—because it’s Edinburgh—and you’re floating in steaming hot water on a rooftop, looking at the city skyline. It’s incredible. The thermal suite, known as the Thermal Suite (creative name, I know), includes a salt room, aroma steam rooms, and saunas that actually get hot enough to matter. A lot of hotel saunas feel like a warm closet. These don’t.
The Science of Relaxation (Sorta)
The spa uses a lot of ESPA products, which is pretty standard for high-end UK hotels, but the layout is what wins. They have a "Now" and "Then" philosophy. You spend time in the heat, then you hit the cooling showers or the ice fountain. It’s basically a localized version of the Nordic circuit. If you’ve spent all day walking the cobblestones of the Old Town—which, let’s be real, is brutal on the calves—this place is a godsend.
One thing most people miss: you don’t have to be a guest to use the spa, but guests get a massive discount or inclusive access depending on the room rate. Check your booking. Don't be the person who pays £100 extra because they didn't read the fine print on their "Club Room" upgrade.
Dining at One Square: More Than a Hotel Bar
The hotel’s main restaurant and bar is One Square. It’s a gin bar, mostly. They have over 100 different gins, including their own One Square Gin, which is made locally. It’s heavy on the juniper and citrus. It works.
The food is surprisingly decent. Hotel restaurants usually suffer from trying to please everyone, resulting in a menu that’s just "burger, Caesar salad, club sandwich." While they have those, the focus is on Scottish provenance. You’ll find Shetland mussels, Aberdeenshire beef, and Highland venison.
- The Vibe: Business casual.
- The Crowd: A mix of local lawyers from the nearby chambers, tourists who look slightly overwhelmed by the wind, and couples on "spa-cation."
- Pro Tip: Sit by the floor-to-ceiling windows. You can watch the world go by on Lothian Road while tucked away in a velvet booth.
The Location Logic
Lothian Road gets a bad rap sometimes. People call it the "pub mile" or focus on the traffic. But for a traveler, the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh is strategically perfect. You’re a five-minute walk from Princes Street Gardens. You’re ten minutes from the Grassmarket. You’re right next to the Lyceum Theatre and the Traverse Theatre.
If you’re in town for the Fringe Festival, this is the gold mine. You’re close enough to the venues to walk, but far enough away that you can actually sleep at night without hearing a street performer playing the bagpipes at 2:00 AM outside your window.
What Most People Get Wrong About Staying Here
People think it’s too "corporate." I get it. The exterior is a bit 1980s-meets-classical-revival, and it’s a Marriott brand. But the interior design by RPW Design really leans into Scottish heritage without the "tartan-tastic" cheesiness you see in the tourist traps. It’s subtle.
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Another misconception is the price. Yes, it’s expensive. But compared to The Balmoral or The Caledonian (now the Waldorf Astoria), the Sheraton often offers more square footage and better facilities for a similar or lower price point. You’re paying for the spa and the space.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
If you’re planning a trip, here is the honest, no-nonsense way to do it:
- Book the Club Level. Seriously. The Sheraton Club Lounge is one of the better ones in the UK. You get breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening drinks/canapés. If you’re a big eater or like a glass of wine in the evening, the upgrade pays for itself.
- Ask for a "High Floor, Castle View." The lower floors on the road side can be a bit noisy if you're a light sleeper. The higher you go, the better the view and the quieter the room.
- The Spa is Busy. If you want to use One Spa, book your slot the moment you check in—or even before you arrive. On weekends, it gets packed with locals who have memberships.
- Don't Eat Every Meal in the Hotel. You're in a foodie hub. Walk five minutes to Timberyard for something high-end, or go to Mary’s Milk Bar in the Grassmarket for the best gelato in Scotland.
The Verdict on Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh
This hotel isn't for the person who wants a "quaint" bed and breakfast experience. It’s for the person who wants to come back from a rainy day in the Highlands, throw their coat to a concierge, and disappear into a world of steam rooms and high-thread-count sheets. It’s a machine, but a well-oiled, very comfortable one.
It’s reliable. In a city where older hotels often have drafty windows and temperamental plumbing, the Sheraton just works. Everything is where it should be. The Wi-Fi is fast. The water pressure in the walk-in showers is fantastic. Sometimes, when you’re traveling, you don't want "character" if character means a squeaky floorboard and a tiny elevator. You want luxury that functions.
Actionable Next Steps
If you're ready to book or just looking, here’s how to handle it:
- Check the Marriott Bonvoy App: Prices fluctuate wildly. Sometimes mid-week rates drop significantly if there isn't a conference in town.
- Validate the Spa Access: If you book through a third-party site (like Booking or Expedia), double-check if "One Spa" access is included. Often, the cheapest rates exclude the thermal suite, and paying the "day guest" fee is a stinging extra cost.
- Transportation: Don't take a taxi from the airport if you have light luggage. The Edinburgh Tram stops at West End - Princes Street, which is a very short, flat walk to the hotel. It’ll save you £25 and about 20 minutes of sitting in traffic.
- Dining Reservations: If you want to eat at One Square on a Friday or Saturday night, book at least a week in advance. It’s a popular spot for pre-theatre meals for the Usher Hall.
The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh remains a staple for a reason. It balances the grit of the city with a level of polish that’s hard to find elsewhere. Just remember to bring your swimsuit—the rooftop pool isn't just for show.