A Luxury Weekend in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a great city. Whether a visitor is seeking the thrills of the city’s thriving summer arts scene or the quieter attractions of the many historical buildings, Scotland’s capital welcomes visitors, as we found on a recent trip.
Photo: Shadowgate
Luxury Accommodation
Visitors seeking luxury really should be looking to stay the Tigerlily. This boutique hotel, one of the city’s gems, is conveniently located in the centre of Edinburgh at George Street. This is only a ten-minute walk from Waverley railway station and a 20-minute cab ride from Edinburgh Airport, meaning that easing into the accommodation was a straightforward, hassle-free process. This location also makes it a handy base from which to explore the city’s attractions. A gig at the Assembly Rooms just round the corner was especially easy to reach.
Just the king-size beds at this finest of Edinburgh hotels made us want to stay for longer. Not only are they immensely comfortable, with their duck-down quilts and Egyptian cotton covers, but there was also fresh fruit and unique art works to enjoy while we relaxed. It was hard to leave the room after encountering this kind of luxury. En-suite bath rooms with toiletries provided by the White Company made it feel like we would never have to leave at all.
Leaving was necessary, though, in order to enjoy a drink at the bar before heading out for dinner. The cocktails were stunningly good, with a particular favourite being the house cocktail, a concoction enjoyed by plenty of patrons as the evening got going. The frequent pop of champagne corks and the DJ’s well-chosen sounds made this a fine place for a drink or two.
Catering and Cuisine
Choosing restaurants in Edinburgh is never easy, with the sheer range of venues and the depth of the kinds of cuisine on offer expanding all the time. Nevertheless, when staying at Edinburgh hotels one great venue to visit for a luxury meal for two is Wedgewood, a great restaurant located on the Royal Mile at 26 Canongate.
Enjoying a meal here was something to be savoured, as no tables are ‘turned’ here with the aim of packing in more customers. We were encouraged to take as long as we wanted to savour the experience and the place clearly expects to shut late every night, with the cheerful staff welcoming the opportunity to work in such a pleasantly relaxed environment.
As a way of spending an evening, the Wedgewood is really to be recommended. Its menu celebrates the owner’s travels across the globe. Choosing from the dishes on offer was not an easy thing to do straightaway, so it was nice to enjoy canapés and a glass of champagne while enjoying the ‘Deciding Time’, as the restaurant terms it.
Foraged Food
The menu featured some oddities, largely the result of using foraged ingredients, though these herby concoctions are largely confined to the lunch menu, which can be disappointing for evening visitors. There are still plenty of enticing options on the evening menu though, with the chef recommending a superb plate of diver caught scallops wrapped in caul fat. The black sesame encrusted mullet was also very fine.
The dessert was memorable for all the right reasons. A trifle made with Scottish Carounn gin, pink pepper and rhubarb was bound to leave a lasting impression and the taste made for pleasant memories as we wandered back to our hotel through Edinburgh’s picturesque and, after dark, slightly mysterious streets.
