W Hotels is expanding its brand in the UK with W Edinburgh

Highlights include a stunning rooftop terrace offering never-before-seen 360-degree views, as well as the W Hotels’ signature Sound Suite recording studio, the first in the UK and second in Europe, allowing musicians, podcasters, DJs and artists to create and record. Inspired by Edinburgh’s diverse influences. W Edinburgh is located in the heart of St James’s, a newly regenerated city center district combining world-class shopping, entertainment and dining.

Inspired by the best of Scottish culture and history, the hotel is housed in three distinct buildings, offering a vision of local roots with a spirit of its own. Set to become a cultural hub in the St James’s Quarter lifestyle precinct, W Edinburgh will attract locals and global guests alike with immersive day and night programming unique to the world’s leading festival city.

“The opening of W Edinburgh not only marks our exciting entry into Scotland, but also proudly marks our second hotel and our continued expansion into the UK.”He said George FleckVice President and Global Brand President, W Hotels. “Our bold approach to luxury hospitality, complemented by culture-focused programming and cutting-edge design, is sure to give the city a playful yet sophisticated vibe. W Edinburgh invites locals and global travelers alike to explore the city through the brand’s distinctive lens.”

Unexpected design
Interior designers Jistico + Whiles have reinvented the best of Scotland through local influences and creative collaborations throughout the design of W Edinburgh. The hotel consists of three distinct buildings located around St James’s Square: the Ripon Building, James Craig Walk and the Quarter House, with a total of 199 rooms and 45 suites, many of which have outdoor terraces, providing a new perspective on the city.
The 12-storey Ribbon Building features a stunning exterior that evokes Edinburgh’s festive spirit and creates a contemporary landmark in the heart of the city. Top floor balconies give guests stunning 360-degree views from Arthur’s Seat to the sea, while igloos on the roof terrace allow guests and locals to enjoy the view regardless of the Scottish skies. By contrast, James Craig Walk is a heritage-listed terrace dating from 1775, which captures the character of historic Edinburgh, with its strong, honest stone façade, high ceilings and tall windows. Newly built and connected to the Ribbon Building, the Quarter House is a predominantly stone façade inspired by traditional Edinburgh architecture.
The interiors are inspired by elements of a coastal city built on volcanic rock, with fire and water as juxtaposing inspirations. Dark ‘charred wood’ paneling in many public areas is complemented by striking brass accents, including the fringed ceiling feature in the W Lounge. Volcanic rock features the welcome desk, while the W Lounge bar and minibar use color throughout, a nod to the local With thorny blue and woody colour.
Spanning 1,600 sq ft and boasting stunning views of Edinburgh’s skyline, the Extreme Wow Suite offers a social lounge with a spacious dining room and a unique rock bar inspired by the city’s volcanoes. Designed for maximum comfort, the room features a king-sized round bed and a large wardrobe. The bathroom has a free-standing bath, private sauna, walk-in shower and vanity, while the suite’s spacious private terrace is ideal for entertaining with unparalleled views of Edinburgh Castle.

Delicacies of Scottish culinary culture
W Edinburgh puts a fun twist on Scottish culinary culture with three innovative dining concepts. The hotel’s upper floors and panoramic balconies are home to the country’s first SUSHISAMBA restaurant, as well as a livelier version of the W Lounge and a Brazilian-inspired restaurant called João’s Place.
sushisamba, born from the energy and spirit of the three distinct cultures of Japan, Brazil and Peru, will bring their imaginative cuisine to W Edinburgh. From Japanese tempura and exquisite sushi, to Brazilian churrasco and moqueca, anticucho and Peruvian ceviches, the culinary creativity is limitless with something to suit every taste. The ever-evolving menu will feature a selection of SUSHISAMBA signatures among new Edinburgh specialties featuring the best local Scottish produce. An open kitchen and fiery robot grill serve up perfectly grilled and flavored meats, vegetables and fish, while SUSHISAMBA’s small-plates service style encourages a ‘shared’ dining experience.

fate W lounge It serves as the hotel’s social hub, reinventing Gaelic cuisine, offering creative programs and rewarding guests with the best uninhibited views of Edinburgh. Moving beyond day to night, the menu and cocktails focus on using the best produce from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Dishes to be served in the stylish new club-style dining space nod to the city’s famous flavors and produce, and include grilled West Coast oysters with seaweed and citrus butter, Perthshire venison with kale and celery, Scottish girolles, blackberries and whiskey juice, and XL Scottish Rarebit. Entries on the dessert menu include the delicious signature, Baked Ben Nevis.
finally, Joao’s place It is a secret apartment that offers guests from all over the world the opportunity to join colorful music nights, sunset sessions and exquisite cocktails inside an intimate studio inspired by the Liberdade neighborhood of João in São Paulo, Brazil.

Emotional programming
This is the place that “always works”. Modern event spaces are the perfect platform for inspiration, and the professional soundstage allows musicians and podcasters to take a stand and be heard, creating buzz in the here and now. W Edinburgh is set to become the cutting-edge heart of the city through detail-focused design and impactful programming, alongside the Away® Spa and FIT® Gym. Away® Spa has partnered with Scottish skincare company Ishga, harnessing the power of organic Hebridean seaweed extract in their products.