Powered By TripAdvisorVictorian Grandeur And Contemporary Design In Old Town Edinburgh
Powered By TripAdvisorSpread across five separate heritage buildings set along the picturesque and winding Victoria Street, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh delights visitors at the Scottish capital with a unique and vibrant blending of traditional Victorian architecture and clean, contemporary design. Taking its cues from its home in one of the ancient city’s most historic neighborhoods, the hotel offers an imaginative reinterpretation of traditional Scottish luxury with highlights that include:
- Rooms and suites featuring Virgin’s “two-chamber” design, along with adjustable beds
- Baths outfitted with spacious rain showers and separate dressing areas
- Four food and drink options to satisfy every type of diner, from the pub lover to the gourmand
- Greyfriars Hall, a beautifully restored 19th-century church, is the picture-perfect space for your wedding
Additional thoughtful elements include ergonomically designed furniture, smart closets, cheerful SMEG in-room refrigerators, decadent mini-bars, and a streamlined workspace. With so many amenities and careful attention to detail, every type of traveler from the explorer to the family of four and the solo businessperson will find themselves feeling right at home at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh.
Hotel Amenities
Accommodations
Housed amid five interconnected and unique buildings, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s 222 guestrooms all feature signature Virgin Hotels “chamber design.” Blending the typical hotel room entry area, closet, and shower into a thoughtfully designed dressing room, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh offers guests an area that can be divided from the sleeping space with a set of doors, creating the ultimate sense of privacy and calm.
Within that sleeping space, dreams will come easily to guests as they snuggle into Virgin’s Lounge Bed, which boasts a unique design allowing for both sleeping and seating positions, perfect for work or relaxation.
And for those seeking even more space, 18 suites are available with added amenities including distinct living areas and terraces or balconies offering spectacular views of Old Town and the city beyond.
Dining
Whether it’s a simple cup of coffee or a contemporary interpretation of traditional Scottish cuisine, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s four food and drink venues invite guests and locals alike to eat, drink, and be merry in Old Town.
The Funny Library - Open all day, this intimate coffee and wine bar sets the mood with an open fire and shelves brimming with classic and contemporary titles and plenty of games. Stop by for a morning pick-me-up, an evening aperitif, or a cozy escape on a drizzly day.
The Commons Club Bar - With an atmosphere that nods to glamorous members-only clubs of the past, the hotel’s award-winning main bar pours classic cocktails with a contemporary twist.
The Commons Club Restaurant – Savor a delectable modern take on heritage Scottish cuisine at the hotel’s flagship restaurant where local produce is highlighted during dinner daily.
Eve - Open for breakfast, experiential brunch, and late-night drinks, Eve bar and restaurant tempts with bold flavors and live entertainment ranging from DJs to cabaret and more.
Activities at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
When not relaxing in calm and comfortable rooms or dining in one of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s delicious restaurants or bars, the city of Edinburgh beckons with quaint shops, cozy pubs, and other Scottish delights and sights.
From Edinburgh Castle set high on a hill overlooking the city to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh entices with historic monuments and buildings, galleries and museums, and even a bit of whisky.
Edinburgh Castle – An iconic edifice soaring above the city on Castle Rock, this quintessential Scottish castle was the country’s royal residence for hundreds of years.
Camera Obscure and World of Illusions – The city’s first purpose-built museum wows visitors in the 21st century as much as it did in the 19th, with optical illusions, mirror mazes, and other wonders
Scotch Whisky Experience – Dive into the world of whisky through a tasting tour of the country’s best-loved alcoholic beverage.
National Museum of Scotland – Take in thousands of years of Scottish history with one visit to this thorough and immersive museum with exhibits on everything from Dolly the sheep to Viking and Celtic artifacts.
Palace of Holyrood House – The Queen's official Edinburgh residence (visited just one week per year) is open to the public for tours of its historic royal apartments and Great Gallery featuring portraits of Scottish kings.
Location
Set in Old Town, just a few minutes walk from Edinburgh Castle in the historic heart of the city, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is the perfect place to step out and explore the city’s many winding alleys and passages dating as far back as the medieval era, along with the area's museums, attractions, and restaurants. Venture a little further to discover New Town with its diverse shops, gorgeous Georgian architecture, and popular restaurants.
Address
India Buildings , Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Transportation
- Rail
- Waverley Railway Station is 1.5 km / 1.5 mi away – approximately 10 minutes on foot
- Airport
- Edinburgh Airport is 12.8 km / 8 mi away – approximately 30 minutes by car
what3words Address
Reviews
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Great Place to Stay during Fringe Festival
Wed Aug 20 2025 15:22:48 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Randall C
The hotel was perfectly situated for experiencing the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh. We had a great, comfortable stay.
Not meeting our expectations
Sun Aug 17 2025 11:48:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Sahiba13
Patio room is dark and looks/feels like a basement room. Minibar still had some open coke can in the fridge and obviously hadn't been restocked (however, had them on our bill on the day of departure). Breakfast average and staff lacking the eye for details (i.e. cleaning/sorting cutlery noisily next to guests table in the bar area, no spoon with a cup of tea, overall not very attentive). Overprized and overrated in our opinion and definitely not meeting our expectations based on the websites pictures/description.
Fabulous!
Sun Aug 17 2025 04:45:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by LLBC2017
Staff are so welcoming and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble. Location, just off the Royal Mile, is ideal, and only 8 minutes walk from Waverley railway station. Rooms are modern clean and comfortable, with a really well stocked mini bar with reasonable prices. Roof terrace is a must with your drinks from the mini bar! Castle view chambers - the windows on the building are narrow in their design, and this does mean that the views may be restrictive.
Great hotel avoid the restaurant
Sun Aug 17 2025 03:45:52 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by tdampney
The hotel is first rate location, staff ambience are all fantastic as is the breakfast. However avoid the restaurant in the evening. The service is awful and the food not much better. I specifically ordered carbonara without cream, I checked with the waiter that this was ok, he checked with the chef. When it eventually arrived it was made with cream! The replacement dish was very bland and not worth eating Overall stay at the hotel but avoid the restaurant
“Perfect Stay in the Heart of Edinburgh”
Fri Aug 15 2025 15:09:36 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) by Vanessa G
We had an issue with our first hotel in Edinburgh and booked Virgin Hotels at the very last minute. It did not disappoint – it was incredible. We arrived very tired from another trip, and meeting Tomás was just amazing. He speaks Spanish and helped us with everything throughout our stay. The staff are wonderful, and we highly recommend having a cocktail at the bar. Breakfast was also perfect. Without a doubt, if I come back to Edinburgh, I will stay here again. The hotel is very central with beautiful views.
