Hotel review: The Glasshouse, Edinburgh – Scotland on Sunday Travel

The Glasshouse, with its 170-year-old Gothic church facade on Greenside Place, Edinburgh, is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Pic: Contributed

Master whisky distillers and blenders speak about flavour profiles. The words they use evoke a sumptuous sense of the spirit: smoky, spicy, sweet, floral. Drinks to be enjoyed in cosy tartan snugs and contemporary cocktail bars in equal measure.

It’s fitting, then, that The Glasshouse in Edinburgh’s city centre serves itself to guests as a perfect blend of heritage and modernity with a whisky twist. The hotel is nestled in the Gothic frame of the 170-year-old Lady Glenorchy Church and was converted for the new millennium in a style which mirrors its name: all metal and glass. From the exterior it is discreet and stylish, entirely in keeping with Edinburgh’s evolution. Inside, the hotel embraces guests with a darker colour palette, and touches of tartan and Scotland which are welcome and never twee. On our pillow we find a copy of Rabbie Burns’ Whan I Sleep I Dream, for instance. The snug bar along from our suite captures what the hotel is about: hidden away just enough to give guests privacy even in the centre of the capital, the bar is stocked with almost 100 ‘hard-to-find’ whiskies, boasts an open fire pit and offers platters of charcuterie and cheeses to accompany a dram as guests unwind.

Budget or Boutique?

The rooftop garden has stunning cityscape views of Calton Hill, the Forth and beyond. Pic: Contributed

The Glasshouse is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection of bespoke hotels. Bringing together the best of a trusted brand with a unique twist, the Greenside Place offering has the flavour of one of the many special bottlings of an established distillery found in the Snug bar. With 77 rooms the hotel is by no means small but it retains an air of intimacy. On arrival, we’re greeted with a complimentary cocktail and escorted to our suite. Staff give every guest a guided tour (an opportunity to show off the stunning views of the city and the Forth beyond from the roof terrace) and the manager, Ignacio, personally arranged a whisky tasting for us in the snug with whisky ambassador Ken Hanley.

Room Service

The Glenfiddich Suite (all the garden rooms are named for famous whiskies) is luxurious, quiet and opens out with access right onto that rooftop garden. The open-plan space is unobtrusively divided into a bedroom and separate seating area. A double basin vanity unit leads into a spacious bath and shower room.

Ignacio has introduced a new hamper of Scottish produce to the rooms - we are treated to a miniature bottle of Glenfiddich, Tunnock’s Caramel Wafers and Teacakes, a tin of shortbread and (with a wry smile) a can of original Irn Bru. Ignacio tells us he toured the city to find gifts which celebrated Scotland without being tacky or pretentious. He has succeeded.

Among the hotel's 77 rooms are suites which open out onto the rooftop garden. Pic: Contributed

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

We sampled the Whisky Experience Package which includes a tour of the Johnnie Walker experience on Princes Street. The hotel is also right next to the Edinburgh Playhouse, perfectly placed for theatre lovers (we encountered a national treasure, starring in a production next door, in the hotel lift). And with the long-awaited opening of the tram link to Leith and the Shore right outside the front door, The Glasshouse is poised to be a hub for visitors exploring the north of the city too.

Wining and Dining

Breakfast is served in the brasserie room overlooking Calton Hill and offers a choice of the continental, the traditional Scottish or something a bit more contemporary - we chose the eggs royale and waffles (served with bacon, berries and syrup), while evening meals are served in The Snug.

The snug bar offers a retreat from the busy capital, boasts an open fire pit and offers platters of charcuterie and cheeses to accompany a dram. Pic: Contributed

Guestbook Comments

The Glasshouse is a distillation of the best of modern Scotland and contemporary Edinburgh. Whether enjoyed straight up or with a whisky twist, this elegant city centre hotel has a flavour profile to suit any visitor looking to savour a special trip to the capital.

The Whisky Experience Package includes overnight accommodation, breakfast for two, welcome whisky in the room and the Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavours including three whisky long drinks.

Rooms from £320

The Glasshouse, 2 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3AA (0131 525 8200, theglasshousehotel.co.uk)