New Missoni hotel 'one of world's best'

IN ITS previous guise as the derelict ex-headquarters of Lothian Regional Council, it was one of Edinburgh's biggest eyesore.

But Hotel Missoni – built on the site of the widely-vilified George IV Bridge council offices – has now been named one of the world's most exclusive hotels.

The five-star hotel – a joint venture between the renowned Italian fashion and homewares brand Missoni and Belgian hotel giant Rezidor – is on Conde Nast Traveller's "Hot List" for 2010.

The annual list contains hotels from 32 countries around the world and only another five hotels in the UK have made it on this year. News of the success has been hailed by tourism leaders as another sign of Edinburgh's growing global reputation.