Edinburgh, UK – Reported by Elite Traveler, the private jet lifestyle magazine
Renowned Edinburgh hotel The Caledonian has reopened following a £24 million renovation. The restoration project spanned the hotel’s public spaces, bedrooms, spa, restaurants and bars. Centrally located on Princes Street, the Waldorf Astoria property offers dramatic views of Edinburgh castle.
John Vanderslice, global head of luxury and lifestyle brands for Hilton Worldwide, said, “The successful launch of The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel underscores our commitment to grow our portfolio of one-of-a-kind properties in a variety of leading destinations across the globe. The Caledonian has been carefully restored and perfectly showcases our world renowned Waldorf Astoria brand, with fine culinary and spa experiences.”
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts currently includes more than 20 destinations around the world, with European properties including: London Syon Park, Trianon Palace Versailles, Rome Cavalieri and the soon to open Waldorf Astoria Berlin.
“Edinburgh is a truly international city and we are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase Waldorf Astoria, at a hotel with over 100 years of tradition in Scottish hospitality,” said Simon Vincent, president, Europe, Hilton Worldwide. “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in delivering this new luxury vision for The Caledonian, which I am sure will quickly be established as a leading luxury hotel in Scotland and our European portfolio.”
The Caledonian is situated at the west end of Princes Street and is the closest luxury hotel to Edinburgh Airport. The Caledonian originally opened as a railway hotel in 1903 and hosted Hollywood stars from Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy and Elizabeth Taylor, to Bing Crosby and Sir Sean Connery. In 2000, the property became a Hilton Hotels & Resorts branded hotel, before undergoing a major transformation to join Hilton Worldwide’s luxury Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand.
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The restoration project took inspiration from the golden age of classic rail journeys. The reception and lobby hark back to their original design, with marble flooring, sweeping staircase and a chandelier of amber and crystal droplets dusted with gold. Continuing the railway and station references, bespoke luggage inspires the furniture, with leathers, bronze metalwork, dusted gold and rosewood joinery.
The property offers 241 guest rooms, including six suites. Peacock Alley serves cocktails and afternoon tea, and new restaurants The Pompadour by Galvin and Galvin Brasserie de Luxe offer French-inspired cuisine created by Michelin-starred brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin. For meetings, conferences and events, The Caledonian has eight refurbished and flexible meeting rooms, as well as the Scottish-Heritage-listed Castle Suite for weddings, parties and galas.
From November 2012, the boutique Guerlain Spa will provide customised therapies for men and women, conceived by Parisian spa brand Guerlain.
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