Charlotte Square / West End

Kimpton Charlotte Square

★★★★★

Kimpton Charlotte Square occupies a run of handsome Georgian townhouses on Charlotte Square, the elegant set piece at the west end of George Street that was designed by Robert Adam and is widely considered the finest square in the New Town. The New Town as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and staying here puts you inside one of its best-preserved streetscapes: the official residence of Scotland's First Minister, Bute House, stands on the same square, and the Georgian House museum, a restored period home, is a few doors along. The hotel, part of IHG's Kimpton brand, mixes the townhouse heritage with a relaxed, contemporary style — high ceilings, tall sash windows, bold colour and patterns, and a friendly, unstuffy service culture that is the brand's signature. Rooms range from cosy doubles to large suites, and those facing the square overlook the private garden at its centre. The facilities are unusually complete for a city-centre hotel: a swimming pool and gym, a spa with treatments and packages, and a wellness room. BABA, the hotel's restaurant, serves bold Levantine-inspired dishes designed for sharing and has become one of the most popular restaurants in the West End in its own right, with a buzzing bar where a complimentary social hour is offered to guests in the early evening. A more relaxed all-day space, the Garden, offers lighter dining. Families are well served — there are dedicated children's swim times in the pool — and the location is ideal for exploring the New Town on foot, with George Street's shops and restaurants on the doorstep, Princes Street a couple of minutes away and the castle looming above.

Living in it: the townhouse structure means room shapes and sizes vary, and some are reached via long corridors and changes of level — part of the charm, but worth knowing if you have mobility concerns, so ask the hotel about accessible rooms. Square-facing rooms are the most coveted for their views over the garden; rear rooms are quieter. The pool is a real asset in Edinburgh's weather, and the spa makes a good end to a day of hill walking. Breakfast at BABA is a good spread, though it is not always included in the rate, so check when booking.

Base math: Charlotte Square is a short walk from the West End tram stop on Princes Street, which runs directly to the airport, and Haymarket station, a useful second rail hub with direct trains to Glasgow and the north, is about ten minutes away. Dean Village and the Water of Leith walkway are an easy stroll downhill to the north-west, Stockbridge is twenty minutes on foot, and the Old Town is reached via Princes Street Gardens or the Mound.

Price and fit: Kimpton Charlotte Square sits in the upper tier, generally below the Balmoral and the Townhouse but well above mid-range, with the usual peaks in August and at Hogmanay; the 5% visitor levy applies to the first five nights. It suits couples who want a pool and good food on site, families who need space and a swim, and anyone who prefers the calm, grand Georgian streets of the New Town to the bustle of the Old Town.