Feel like a film star at the Sheraton Grand
"One Spa is rightly rated as one of the best city spas in Europe" - Sunday Times
Your name doesn't have to be Brangelina to ensure that a warm welcome and the best of Scottish hospitality await at the Sheraton Grand. This vibrant and innovative five-star hotel in the centre of Edinburgh exists to make your time in the capital as carefree as possible, and to make you feel as spoilt as a Hollywood starlet. So you can go out on the town, safe in the knowledge that a luxurious room, a super-relaxing spa treatment, a sophisticated cocktail and a well-crafted dinner will be ready for your return. In fact, it doesn't matter what you want: the Sheraton Grand is obsessed with service, and will make it happen for you.
Think holistic
The Sheraton Grand became truly complete when it opened One Spa, an ultra-luxurious environment dedicated to promoting wellbeing through a balance of fitness and relaxation. One is housed in its own six-storey building, connected to the hotel via an elevated glass walkway. Its unique feature, much photographed by glossy magazines, is a steel outdoor hydropool, cut into the rooftop and accessed by swimming from an indoor pool. You will luxuriate in its 35 C bubbling mineral water, which evaporates into mist in the air above, creating a relaxing and romantic experience you'll never forget. Inside, this very contemporary spa has 11 treatment rooms, a 19-metre ozone-filtrated swimming pool, a fitness studio with state-of-the-art Technogym equipment and a skilfully designed Thermal Suite with a variety of holistic heat experiences - an aroma grotto, rock sauna, bio sauna, tepidarium, laconium and hammam. The spa has received a glittering collection of awards and testimonials, in recognition of its excellence ("I thought I'd died and gone to heaven" - Daily Mail. "A masterpiece of design... One certainly gives Edinburgh an additional appeal" - Conde Nast Traveller). Some of the treatments are exclusive and constantly reviewed, so that you can be sure you're getting one of the best holistic experiences in Europe.
Love the Italians
Santini Ristorante, the intimate Italian restaurant in the One Spa building, serves up authentic Italian cooking at its best. Even the staff are Italian speakers, so you can close your eyes and imagine Como, Portofino, Ravello. The virtue of being in Edinburgh, however, is that different regional specialities can be cherry-picked for the menu, and traditional recipes brought to life using seasonal ingredients. The AA awarded it two rosettes - a great reward for dedication to the spirit of Italy.
If you prefer the excitement, hustle and bustle of informal Italian dining, Santini Bis is probably for you. You'll love the light, airy, bistro atmosphere at lunch, and be inclined to linger at your marble-topped table, over perfectly-executed pizza, pasta and pinot grigio. Alternatively, just come and enjoy a plate of antipasti and a glass of prosecco in the relaxed, contemporary surroundings of the Santini Bar.
Gastronauts stop here
One of Edinburgh's best-kept secrets, the Grill Room is a sophisticated restaurant which works equally well for a business lunch as a romantic dinner. The service is immaculate and discreet; the tables gleam white-and-silver; and the menu is based on fresh local ingredients cooked with an international twist. Result? Flavour, colour, exquisite presentation, pure gastronomic satisfaction.
By contrast, you'll find a relaxed attitude pervading the Terrace Restaurant, where there's an extensive all-day buffet. So if you lack the time to agonise over a menu, this is a quicker alternative to the Grill.
Room report
All of the Sheraton Grand's 260 rooms and suites are ultra-comfortable, classically furnished and high-tech. The signature ‘Sheraton sweet sleeper' beds will encourage seriously deep sleep. Visiting presidents, however - yes, there have been a few - are likely to book one of the two Presidential Suites on the top floor, with an exclusive view of Edinburgh Castle. Here, oversize four-posters are generously scattered with cushions, and sofas and armchairs invite you to relax. A separate area can be used for private dining, calling on any of the menus featured elsewhere in the hotel.
GALLERY
