Virgin Hotels Edinburgh
A playful, 5-star pad in the heart of Old Town, with rooftop castle views and a buzzing social scene.
Photos
About
If you're walking down Victoria Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, look out for the red door of the landmark India Buildings – that's your clue you've arrived at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh. This isn't your stuffy five-star; it's a playful, design-forward pad where the vibe is 'your place in the city'. Head up to the seventh-floor rooftop sanctuary for an unobstructed view of Edinburgh Castle (grab a blanket from the basket – they've thought of everything), or settle into Commons Club for a modern Scottish dinner that feels like a social club rather than a hotel restaurant. The rooms, called 'chambers', are cleverly laid out with a separate loo and shower, a SMEG fridge for midnight snacks, and a yoga mat if you fancy a stretch with the sunrise. It gets lively – the Grassmarket buzz filters up – but that's part of the charm. Booking a Chamber King Castle View room is my insider tip, and don't miss the Pasta Masterclasses at Eve every Tuesday and Wednesday.
Facilities
Dining
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh features multiple dining outlets including the Commons Club flagship restaurant and bar, and Eve, a vibrant all-day dining space, serving Scottish cuisine and cocktails.
Gym
The hotel features a fitness center with a gym and workout room.
Full Description
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is a 5-star luxury boutique hotel located in the landmark India Buildings, at 1 India Buildings, Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2EX, United Kingdom, in the heart of the Old Town just off the Royal Mile. Rated #4 Best Hotel in the United Kingdom in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2025, it has a TripAdvisor rating of 4.4 out of 5 bubbles (1,648 reviews, Travelers' Choice) and a Booking.com score of 9.1 (rated Wonderful, 5,683 reviews). The hotel is operated by Virgin Hotels and is classified as a 5-star property by Giata. It has 222 Chambers and Grand Chamber Suites, along with multiple dining and drinking outlets. The property features a fitness center, free WiFi, valet parking, a rooftop terrace with unobstructed views of Edinburgh Castle, and is dog-friendly (pets allowed with no extra charges). The hotel is wheelchair accessible, has air conditioning, non-smoking rooms, a 24-hour front desk, concierge service, room service, luggage storage, and meeting rooms. Parking is available (including valet) and there are 15 EV charging points (Type 2, 7kW each, Level 2, operated by POD Point) with a complicated tariff structure (£0.45/kWh, £0.75/kWh). The nearest transport hub is Edinburgh Waverley station (8-minute walk), and Edinburgh Airport is 5.6 miles away. The noise level is described as noisy due to nearby nightlife, and the location is rated 9.8/10 by couples. Dining options include Commons Club (flagship restaurant and bar, Scottish cuisine, dinner, modern ambience, vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/dairy-free options), Commons Club Bar (cocktail hour), and Eve (all-day dining for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, serving Scottish cuisine). The hotel also offers Afternoon Tea daily at The Oculus Lounge, Pasta Masterclasses every Tuesday and Wednesday at Eve, Bar Bites daily at Commons Club Bar, and Eve's £20 Two Course Lunch daily. Breakfast options include continental, buffet, à la carte, full English/Irish, and vegetarian. Room types include Chamber King, Chamber Twin, Chamber King Castle View, Chamber King Balcony, Chamber King Terrace, Chamber King Accessible, Grand Chamber King, Junior Suite, One-Bedroom Suite, Eve Branson Suite, Kasbah Tamadot Suite, Greyfriars Suite, Edward's Suite, Sir Richard's Flat, and Family King Suite (with bunk bed and sofa bed). Each chamber is designed flexibly with a SMEG fridge, yoga mat, and thoughtful details. The hotel has a loyalty programme called The Know, offering member rates, upgrades, Virgin Points, and a personalised stay. There is also a mobile app with a virtual assistant called Lucy. The hotel is located near attractions such as The Real Mary King's Close (3-minute walk), Edinburgh Castle (less than 0.6 miles), the National Museum of Scotland, and Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. The nearest airport is Turnhouse Airport (6.5 miles). The hotel accepts American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Solo (cash not accepted). Check-in is from 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM, check-out until 12:00 PM. Minimum check-in age is 18. Children of all ages are welcome; extra beds cost £50 per child per night, cribs are free. When booking 10 rooms or more, different policies apply. The credit card used at booking must be valid for the entire stay. The hotel has a business status of OPERATIONAL, with a user rating of 4.6 (910 ratings) and a TripAdvisor rating of 4.4.
1, India Buildings, Victoria St, Edinburgh EH1 2EX, UK
City Centre
EH1 2EX