Introducing Virgin Hotels Scotland

Following the successful launch of Virgin hotel properties across the US, the newly opened Virgin Hotels Edinburgh marks the debut Virgin hotel across the pond.

“We are a luxury lifestyle brand. We believe in delivering that luxury service but in a more fun and informal way,” Emma Jackson, regional director of sales, Scotland for Virgin Hotels Edinburgh tells Travel Courier. “Why does five-star have to be stuffy and well behaved? Since the pandemic a lot of people are looking for something a bit more relaxed.”

The property, which debuted this summer, is located in the old town by Edinburgh Castle.

“We look right onto the hotel so we’re very lucky with our location,” she says. “The building dates back to 1862 and we’d been renovating it for five years.”

The new hotel has many unique features like a wall of famous Scottish women from across history as well as signature pops of red throughout such as SMEG mini fridges.

“The minibar is all at retail pricing,” she adds. “And there are some exciting local products in the minibar so when you open it you will be like ‘oh, what will I have?’ not ‘don’t touch it!’” 

The hotel features 222 chambers and 18 suites located in the historical part of the building with high ceilings, and two onsite restaurants and bars.

A second property, Virgin Hotels Glasgow, is already set to open in December.

“Glasgow is about an hour away from Edinburgh and the cities are very different,” she says. “In Glasgow it’s a new building we’ve got, 15 levels high, 240 bedrooms.” 

One opulent option is Richard’s Flat, the top suite with its own private terrace. 

With a convenient location in the city centre within walking distance to the train station, Jackson says travellers can easily divide their stay between both properties. The design of the chambers is similar to the Edinburgh hotel with more localized artwork. Notably, the hotel will feature a whiskey bar with some unique and rare whiskey on offer. 

“We really try to provide a sense of place and celebrate the destination,” she says. “We know that people are visiting a city for the city and not for a hotel, and we really just want to capture as much of that personality as we can.”