A UNESCO World Heritage site, a thriving, elegant metropolis and
a leader in cultural and academic excellence for centuries;
Edinburgh is such a magnificent city that it deserves to be seen in
style. To reflect that, we’ve prepared a luxury itinerary guide to
help you enjoy a VIP experience during your stay in Scotland’s
capital. We’ve designed the guide so that you can combine
suggestions from our regular itineraries with more exclusive
elements detailed below to ensure your stay in Edinburgh is
memorable.
To make finding your way around Edinburgh as easy as possible,
all our itineraries are completely interactive, with each
suggestion marked by a numbered icon that corresponds with its
actual location on the expandable map at the top of the page.
Attractions
Sightseeing with a difference
If you would like to familiarise yourself with Edinburgh’s main
sights quickly and easily, then city’s open top bus tours are a
fantastic way to do, although they can be a little impersonal. To
avoid the crowds and ensure that you don’t miss a single thing,
travel in comfort and take a private, bespoke chauffeur-driven tour
of the city’s sights. W.L. Sleigh provide motor
vehicles for the Royal Family when they are in Scotland, so you can
rest assured that you’ll be in good hands.
But if you would prefer to delve deeper and learn more about
Scotland’s capital, its rich history, and its various attractions,
then you should consider engaging the services of a local tour
guide. Members of the Scottish
Tourist Guide Association are all highly-trained experts,
having sat the body’s Blue Badge scheme, and come recommended by
Visit Scotland.
Scotch Whisky
Experience
(view in map)
Whether you’re already a connoisseur of the ‘amber nectar’ or
just curious to learn more about Scotland’s national drink, you
won’t want to pass up a visit to the home to the world’s largest
collection of Scottish whiskies. They offer a variety of different
tours and ‘nosings’ to suit your tastes, and for something extra
special, you could even arrange for a private tasting session
hosted by one of the centre’s experts.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
(view in map)
As the official Scottish residence of Her Majesty the Queen, and
once home to Mary Queen of Scots, it doesn’t get any more exclusive
than this. The best way to explore is after-hours, on an exclusive
evening tour, when the baroque palace is closed to the general
public. Enjoy a glass of champagne while the expert guide talks you
through the history of this magnificent edifice.
Dining Out
Whether you’ve had a hard day’s exploring or spent a busy
morning shopping, a spot of light refreshment in the shape of
afternoon tea is probably called for. You could enjoy a
traditional tea at the Balmoral Hotel’s Bollinger Bar
(view in map), or head to the
Fourth Floor at Harvey Nichols
(view in map) for a more contemporary
take on proceedings. Should you wish to combine afternoon tea with
your sightseeing, then a few hours in the National
Museum of Scotland
(view in map) can be followed with
tea in the impressive Tower Restaurant, which boasts fabulous views
across the city.
Leith
Outside of London, no city in the UK boasts more
Michelin-starred restaurants than Edinburgh. In particular, down at
The Shore in Leith you’ll find three within a few hundred yards of
each other. The celebrated
Martin Wishart’s flagship venue
(view in map) is here, as is The Kitchin
(view in map), whose chef patron Tom
Kitchin is a familiar face from TV cookery shows like Masterchef.
Every bit as impressive and elegant is Tony Borthwick’s delightful
Plumed Horse
(view in map).
City Centre
Dining out in Edinburgh city centre can be difficult – but only
because of the sheer volume of terrific, high-class eateries to
choose from. Notable highlights include the Michelin-starred
21212
(view in map) and Number One at The
Balmoral 
(view in map), while
The Witchery by the
Castle 
(view in map) is
the place to see and seen. It’s Edinburgh’s equivalent of
the Ivy and everyone from Jack Nicolson to Catherine Zeta-Jones has
dined there.
Nightlife
Rated as one of the world’s top 20 bars by industry bible
Bartender magazine, Bramble
(view in map) is a subterranean
hideaway and haven for the city’s trendsetters. Indulge your
tastebuds with some of the finest concoctions you’ll ever taste and
relax in the shabby chic surroundings.
The acclaimed design houses first venture into hospitality,
they’ve left nothing to chance. Fusing high fashion and mixology,
the achingly-cool bar at Hotel
Missoni 
(view in map) is a
real treat for the senses, thanks to the funky decor and their own
unique twists on classic cocktails like the Bellini and the
Mojito.
Inspired by the New York club’ scene, The One
Below 
(view in map) is the
ultimate in exclusive clubbing. Marvel at the amazing iBar – the
UK’s first interactive bar top which creates unique lighting
effects based on touch. There’s even the option of plugging your
iPod into one individually-designed private booths and taking
complete control of your evening’s playlist.
From the Swarovski crystal-studded walls to the underlit,
sound-responsive dancefloor, Lulu
(view in map) drips with decadence
and luxury. Book one of their many table packages in advance to
enjoy VIP entry, private seating area and a selection of premium
champagnes and spirits served by your own personal barstaff.
Designer Shopping
When it comes to style, Edinburgh is home to a unique mix of
designer brands and unique one-off boutiques. Multrees Walk
(view in map) is a dedicated luxury
retail hub, home to a slew of top names like Mulberry, Louis
Vuitton and Kurt Geiger. Nearby, on Thistle Street, you’ll find
Jane Davidson
(view in map) - a trendy womanswear
boutique - and footwear specialist Pam Jenkins
(view in map), both considered by
style bible Vogue to be the best in Scotland. And if you’re looking
for a more bespoke service, or would like some fashion advice, then
you can personal shopper service at both Harvey Nichols, and
Edinburgh’s iconic, upmarket department store,
Jenners 
(view in map).
Relaxation and Pampering
If you want to relax in style, then you really are spoiled for
choice in Edinburgh. One of the main highlights is the fantastic
ONEspa
(view in map) thermal suite and
pools. As well as indoor and outdoor rooftop hydropools, facilities
at the £6 million centre include bio saunas, hammams, aroma
grottos, a tepidarium and laconium and much more. They offer a
large range of treatments to soothe and calm including a number of
Ayurvedic treatments. Other top options around the city include
Pure Spa
(view in map) and two-time winner of
UK Salon of the Year, Zen Lifestyle
(view in map), while most of the
capital’s top hotels also have their own exclusive spas and
treatment centres.
For more ideas and suggestions for things to do and see in
Edinburgh, take a look at our 24 hour,
48 hour and weekend itineraries.
