Gleneagles Townhouse

Gleneagles Townhouse brings the famous Perthshire hotel's name to the centre of Edinburgh. It occupies a Georgian building at 39 St Andrew Square, at the eastern end of George Street, and combines a small luxury hotel with a private members' club. With only 33 bedrooms, it feels intimate and personal compared with the city's larger grand hotels, and it is described by Gleneagles as a five-star hotel.

The rooms are designed around the spirit of the Georgian building, with classic proportions and contemporary comfort. The Spence is the hotel's all-day restaurant and bar. On the roof, Lamplighters is the rooftop bar, open to hotel guests and members, with views across the New Town. For private occasions, the Counting Rooms seat up to ten people and the Telling Rooms offer a second private space.

Wellness is a strong focus. The Strong Rooms house a gym and wellness studios, and the hotel says more than 60 classes are included, which suits guests who like to keep their fitness routine while travelling. The members' club makes the building a social hub for local residents as well as hotel guests.

Gleneagles Townhouse suits couples, solo luxury travellers and anyone who prefers a smaller, design-led hotel to a large traditional one. Because there are only 33 rooms, availability can be tight at weekends, in August and over Hogmanay, so book well ahead for those dates. Guests who want to combine a city break with time in the countryside can also look at the original Gleneagles hotel in Perthshire, which shares the name and the group's approach to hospitality. Reservations can be made by phone or by email, and US callers can use a dedicated toll-free number listed on the website.

St Andrew Square is one of the best-connected spots in the city: the tram stops on the square, Waverley station is a few minutes' walk away, and buses run along Princes Street just to the south. George Street's shops and bars lead west from the hotel's doorstep, the St James Quarter shopping centre is around the corner and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a short walk north on Queen Street. Calton Hill and the Royal Mile are both within around ten minutes on foot, so most of the city's main sights can be reached without transport.