Whether you love or hate the somewhat controversial Ribbon Building, spiralling up and up like a gigantic metallic twirl from amongst the Georgian architecture of Edinburgh’s New Town, this W home certainly makes its mark. I made it to the taller-than-me neon pink ‘W’ parked outside its doors just five minutes after stepping off the train at Waverley Station, and you can’t help but gawp up at its audacious curves.
As a Marriott luxury brand, W is all about the wow factor, and the impact of this Scottish capital newbie is largely about its all-encompassing city views. Tucking into a juicy shrimp tempura with a black truffle vinaigrette at SushiSamba restaurant on the 10th floor, (a colourful fusion of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine), its vast curved windows take in Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat in its entirety, the famous clocktower of the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh Castle, and all the way to the Firth of Forth Road Bridge. I’ve known Edinburgh my whole life and have never seen a view down the wide boulevard of George Street like that one.
This hotel opens up new vistas on this ancient city, also seen from the W Lounge where conscientious staff grapple with the ambitious Celtic mythical creatures-inspired cocktail menu. My White Dragon was an interesting blend of gin, sherry, tomato water and pickles with a fiery rim of spices.
Just like Heinz, there are a mind-boggling 57 varieties of room types here across 199 guestrooms and 45 suites - also in James Craig Walk and the Quarter House buildings.
General manager Ken Millar, previously of the Renaissance Amsterdam, took me to see the cream of the crop, Room 901 – the Extreme Suite, otherwise known as the ‘EWOW’. Interiors by Jestico + White in conjunction with AMA Studios draw on Edinburgh as a coastal city built on volcanic rock, fire and water, immediately visible with its roughly hewn, white rock bar.
EWOW is undoubtedly up there with the world’s sexy, rock n roll suites, complete with rotating round bed with a full-on view of Edinburgh Castle should you wish, dining area with pantry and projector, sunken bath and sauna, and vast balcony with ‘look at me’ outdoor shower. Millar was keen to point out the classy walnut panelling which, rather than lending a sober air, bigs up the opulence further!
My ‘Fantastic Suite’ 908 was indeed fantastic with remote control panels for the sheer curtains and a sexy bathroom walkway behind the plump double bed. It was a joy to catch the animated W lift down to the fifth floor Away Spa for a destress massage. Nice extra touches included a hot wheat and lavender bag on my shoulders and a detox shot of carrot, ginger and turmeric as Carly explained the treatment which used Italian Comfort Zone products and culminated in a divine head massage. I’d love to return for the Himalayan salt massage on the eagerly awaited ‘sand bed’.
Back on reception level, the champagne and coffee bar is ready and waiting to welcome new guests, and just beyond is a corridor christened the Cinema Tunnel, a nod to Edinburgh’s film industry. I could imagine Train Spotting Begbie raising an eyebrow or two at this place. Its nine-metre long screen flashes featured content with red velvet cinema-style bunkets opposite. Carry on through, and a Craig Black spray-paint mural backs a stepped seating area which Millar assures me is a popular chill out/laptop zone. It all feels like clever use of a somewhat awkward space.
Millar tells me Edinburgh is the W brand’s 69th property, an accolade that this sexy beast can more than carry off, especially when you host your very own party on the roof with 360 views, reinforced glass panels looking down into SushiSamba below and pods in case of inclement weather. Nothing, it seems, can stop the party here. marriott.com
