GUEST POST: The Perfect Hen Do in Edinburgh

In recent years Edinburgh has become a prime location for those celebrating their impending nuptials. Stag and hen parties pull up in Edinburgh Waverley in droves each year – and why wouldn’t they? It’s the perfect setting for a group of guys or girls to enjoy a weekend of escapades before a close friend makes the ultimate commitment. The Scottish city is extremely walkable and picturesque enough to provide a stunning backdrop for photos, but trendy enough for there to be plenty of exciting options to thrill any bride or groom-to-be. This is why we chose it as the location for a friend’s hen do in April – here’s how twelve hens filled two glorious days in Edinburgh.

From Station to Hotel in a Hop-Skip-and-Jump

We pulled into Edinburgh Waverley at around 1pm on the Saturday, having had the compulsory picnic breakfast, prosecco from plastic cups and games on the train up from Manchester. We were all suitably cheery as we rolled our cases along the platform – twelve ladies weaving through the crowds like a lively, chattering caterpillar. Less than five minutes later, we were entering the impressive lobby of The Scotsman Hotel, checking into our rooms. The staff greeted us with friendly smiles and were incredibly helpful – considering twelve excited women had just descended upon them in one go.

We had booked several Classic Rooms, using the ‘Best Rate Guaranteed’ offer and paired off to deposit our suitcases – fortunately the hotel had put us in rooms close to one another so nipping in to share hair straighteners or advise on outfit choices later when we prepared for a night on the tiles wouldn’t be difficult! The hotel had kindly put the flowers and cupcakes we’d ordered with the bride-to-be’s name on in her room, just before our arrival. She was completely bowled over, not just by this personal touch, but by the beautiful Executive Room we had treated her and her Maid of Honour to.

The Aveda Spa: Pampered, Polished and Primped

The next step on our Edinburgh adventure was to grab our dressing gowns and head for the Aveda Spa for some serious pampering. After an early start and long train journey up, we were all ready for some proper relaxation. The spa is inside the hotel itself, making it easy for guests to access, while the array of treatments on offer meant difficult choices had to be made when we booked. Having arranged our treatments ahead of time, the spa knew exactly what we were each having (and why we were visiting Edinburgh) so they took especially good care of us and our bride-to-be.

As some of us headed for a swim in the stunning pool, others caught the spinning class that was just starting – we had all decided that in order to earn this decadent weekend, we had to work hard for it first! It was great to get our pulses racing in such luxurious surroundings – there were no crowds, the instructors were motivational and we had a really good laugh. After working up a sweat, we all met up in the steam-room for some high intensity relaxation. The refreshing eucalyptus essences transported us to a rustic Australian cabin and made us feel like we were a million miles away.

Next, we headed for the treatment rooms. I was booked in for a 30 minute, customised Elemental Nature massage – the masseuse asked me about my problem areas and tested my body for tension points before she began so she could tailor the massage to my needs. Whilst I was being pummelled and prodded (in the most lavish way, of course), some of the other girls chose facials, manicures, pedicures, natural tanning and waxing. By the time we floated (on a cloud of aloe, lavender and ylang ylang) back up to our rooms to get ready for our night out, we all felt brand new.

Chow Down - Edinburgh Style

Dressed to the nines and ready to start our night, we reconvened back down in the lobby. Since it was now 6:30pm – cocktail o’clock – we headed for North Bridge Brasserie. The hotel bar proved the perfect place to begin our night. The cocktail list was extensive… making even the most decisive amongst us hesitant. The barman was helpful and guided us through the menu, based on questions he asked us about our usual preferences.

I finally settled on a Highland Iced Tea – single malt whisky and Earl Grey tea with peach & fig liquors. It was one of the tastiest things I’ve ever drunk. In my life. The bride went for a (very seasonal) Bee On Rhubarb – Cointreau, rhubarb bitters and honey syrup – whilst others in the party enjoyed a combination of classic and exclusive-to-the-Scotsman tipples: Burnt Islay Old Fashioneds, Fruits of the Forests, Singapore Slings, French Martinis and Bellinis. Not a single one of us was disappointed and not a single one of us wanted to leave… but our dinner reservations were beckoning.

We could have eaten at The Scotsman (and believe me, the smells wafting from the dining room were making us salivate) but it was time for us to get out of the hotel and see some of the city sites. We’d booked into a restaurant in the New Town side of the bridge – near the lively nightlife spots of George Street and Rose Street. Iris is an intimate little restaurant, specialising in contemporary Scottish cuisine and it was only a 15 minute stroll from the hotel – perfect for a group wearing heels!

Using fresh, local ingredients, the team at Iris strive to provide customers with the most delicious and typically-Scottish flavours possible – as well as European influences. This is why we chose them for our evening meal – this group of women know their food and it has to be good… We indulged in delicious dishes such as smoked partridge with deep fried quail’s egg, seared scallops with black pudding and steamed Scottish mussels to start with. This was followed by lamb loin with haggis, roast duck breast with Drambuie, and monkfish tail wrapped in pancetta. The abundance of fish on the menu is a reminder of Edinburgh’s location and Scotland’s proud relationship with the sea. Too full for dessert (yes, even the chocolate beetroot cake) we moved onto our second bar of the evening…

Painting Edinburgh Red

Considering it’s a major UK city, hosting thousands of tourists every month, we were thrilled to find that most of the stylish, swanky, quirky cocktail bars Edinburgh houses are perfectly reasonably-priced. Most drinks we ordered – beautifully crafted by talented and knowledgeable barmen and women – were between £5 and £9… members of the party visiting from London were particularly impressed!

Just three minutes’ walk from Iris, is Bramble – one of the city’s favourite word-of-mouth haunts. Despite its sterling reputation, the downstairs bar is slightly difficult to find, making it all the more charming. It has steps directly down from the street, contributing to a clandestine, secretive vibe – it’s small, intimate and a tight squeeze for a group of twelve when it’s already buzzing! The drinks and atmosphere made it completely worth it though, and soon enough we had our own little seating area to perch in. We sipped on our Red Rums, Stepford Sisters and – of course – Brambles, as the DJ span funky mash-ups of new and old music alike, creating a lively and stylish atmosphere, without pretension. 

Another eight minute stroll, and we were at The Voodoo Rooms; a stunningly restored 1861 building with décor that fuses grandiose gold and black Victoriana and Tiki island grotto. With over sixty tequilas and sixty rums to choose from, this award-winning bar is heaven for anyone who enjoys exotic cocktails inspired by South America, and the Polynesian and Caribbean islands.

Choosing from the six themed rooms is no easy task – guests can settle in the plush Main Bar, Dining Room for food, The American Bar or The Ballroom for group or private events, a self-contained Speakeasy, or – where we had booked – The French Quarter. Rum punches, Mai Tais, daiquiris and coladas in hand, we were seated at our leather booth. This venue is particularly great for big groups, not only because of all the separate rooms… and the fact they serve fish bowls of cocktails and DIY cocktail kits – great to share and get in the spirit (bad pun) – but because they have live music at weekends. Folk, blues and jazz bands frequent this place and dancing is encouraged… not to mention a killer lit-up dancefloor in The French Quarter.

As far as atmosphere goes, this bar really delivers with its slick drinks list, relaxed attitude and friendly staff. For variety (and one or two fun gimmicks) we found it the perfect place to end our night… and only a five minute totter home for sore feet at the end of the night!

No Rest for the Soon-to-be-Hitched

Sunday morning (some a little delicate from the antics of the night before) we all re-met in North Bridge Brasserie for our inclusive breakfast. This was a meal that promised to deliver a hearty slice of Scottish tradition, as well as headache relief… for those who needed it. I mentioned our healthy appetites earlier… so, although the Continental Breakfast looked beautiful with juices, fresh pastries, fruit, yoghurt, cheeses, cured meat and fish available – all twelve around the table opted for the ‘Full Scottish.’

It was the right choice. The breakfast is served as a buffet where diners can help themselves and includes eggs (done any way – just ask the server), smoked Ayrshire bacon, Highland butchers’ sausages, black pudding, as well as grilled tomatoes and mushrooms. Additions, such as beans, haggis and tatties are available too – the staff are really accommodating. With each mouthful, the cobwebs vanished and soon enough we were all much perkier… ready for another action-packed day in the city.

Once the breakfast had settled, we set off for our day-time activity. This part was a complete surprise for the bride-to-be – up to this point, she’d had an idea about what we’d do but this part was unknown. We made our way back to New Town and arrived at the Edinburgh Escape Rooms – a team-building experience like no other. We were put into three teams of four and each team put into a mysterious room – from that moment on, you have 60 minutes to escape your room, using the clues provided and your logic, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

This was an absolute highlight of the trip – and with a weekend this enjoyable, it’s hard to make such a claim! We made sure we mixed ourselves up to have a fair spread of skills and personalities in each team, which meant we got to work with people we didn’t know that well prior to the activity. Afterwards, we were able to swap stories about the different themed rooms we had experienced (The Da Vinci Room, The Taken Room and Area 51) and laughed hysterically about some of the things we’d had to do. I don’t want to spoil the experience for you, so won’t offer any more details, but if you come to Edinburgh – whatever the reason – make sure you squeeze an hour in for this magical activity!

Everything Stops for Tea

Before leaving the city, it was time for one last gastronomic foray. Heading back in the direction of the hotel, we stopped off on our final luxurious pit stop before catching the train. Getting a bit peckish after all that brain power, we entered the impressive Dome – a historic restaurant and cocktail bar that, in the afternoon, becomes a haven for tea-drinkers. For £23.50 per head (or £16.50 without champagne) we settled down for a delectable afternoon tea in the beautiful Georgian Tea Room.

The food included delicate finger sandwiches – egg mayonnaise and mustard cress, smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber, wafer-thin ham and coarse grain mustard – the chef’s selection of cakes, freshly-baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an excellent range of loose leaf teas. This was the perfect, classy end to what had been a heavenly weekend. Over all too quickly, we made a final toast to the bride-to-be, picked up our suitcases and re-traced our steps to Edinburgh Waverley.

Our weekend is only one example of the plentiful opportunities open to hen and stag dos in Edinburgh – the possibilities are endless. Perhaps your friends would enjoy whisky tasting, a ghost tour, quad biking, cocktail-making, Scottish reel lessons or a crafting session. But one thing can be guaranteed and it’s that Edinburgh will provide an unforgettable weekend for everyone and The Scotsman Hotel was a central part to making our visit truly exceptional.

GUEST POST: My Visit to the Aveda Spa at The Scotsman Hotel

Give Yourself the Spring Clean Treatment in Edinburgh this February

It’s that time of year again when the optimistic ones amongst us start their spring cleaning. For many, February signals a time to get our lives back in order, new starts and fresh ideas. We all know it’s supposed to happen in January – the New Year’s Resolution period where we chuck out Christmas trees and frantically join fitness groups. But in reality, the endless drizzle and return-to-work slump make us sluggish, so changes go on hold for a month. Fortunately, Spring’s blossom-covered, daffodil-scattered head is just starting to peep over the horizon.

This year, I’ve decided to apply the spring cleaning process to ME as well as my home. Now don’t get me wrong – I do wash. I’m a big fan of baths: wallowing around hippo-like under a blanket of bubbles is one of life’s great pleasures. But I’ve decided I need to take better general care of my bodywork because I’m starting to show some wear and tear. There are visible chips and dents and if I’m not careful, my bumper might fall off altogether. A regular service is in order and in Edinburgh there’s only one place to get the kind of attention I need.

Aware of my MOT mission, a kind aunt treated me to the ‘New Year, New You’ offer from The Scotsman Hotel for Christmas. I’d been for cocktails and a festive meal at the hotel before – both decadent and delicious – but I’d never been to the spa. This was finally my chance to be pummelled, polished and slathered in good stuff by expert hands and I couldn’t wait. So I finally chucked out the remnants of Christmas stodge left in the house, dusted off my gym-wear and headed to the Aveda Scotsman Spa & Health Club, gift-card in hand.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from the spa before I arrived. The foyer, bar and brasserie at the hotel are so classically Edwardian with polished wooden panels, stained glass and marble columns everywhere – was this Art Deco glamour extended to the spa? I suddenly felt very out of place in my scruffy (and slightly tight) gym kit but the staff greeted me with warm smiles and helpful directions. I couldn’t have been more wrong about the furnishings downstairs though – or more pleasantly surprised.

As I descended the stairs into the basement level (where a cool 20,000 square feet of space is dedicated to relaxation – a slight improvement on my own 5x9ft bathroom) I was taken aback by the décor. The spa has a sophisticated, minimalist design – all contemporary metal panelling, slick granite surfaces and chic spotlighting. I instantly felt my stresses melt away in this underground hideaway – the street noise evaporated and the muted colours were already lulling me into a hypnotically soothed state.

My first port of call was the gym… a word which usually strikes fear in my heart. But if I was going to enjoy some of the luscious spa treatments on offer later, I had to earn them first. It was my first gym experience in three years – my first ever yoga class – and try as I might to tell myself I hate exercise, I really did end up rather enjoying it. The Scotsman Hotel studio is well-equipped and the instructor endlessly encouraging and energy-boosting. Soon I understood my Downward Dog from my Baby Cobra and was feeling my body unwind. After the class, I had an unfamiliar feeling of wanting to do more… so taking full advantage of this strange compulsion, next I headed for the pool.

Having not worn my cozzie in a while, I was relieved to see there were only two other people in the pool – so I made a dash for it. No sooner had I entered the water, than I felt my self-consciousness ebb away as quickly as my muscle pangs. The pool is kept at an inviting 30 degrees which is, not only like a big warm hug in the middle of winter, but the optimal temperature to help you get the most out of a swimming workout. The room itself is a stunning structure, featuring Scotland’s first stainless steel pool, and it certainly makes for an interesting swim as you take in your sleek, urban surroundings. I found myself doing more lengths of back-stroke than usual, just to enjoy the view.

Once I’d completed 20 lengths (a number I was quite pleased with – I’m no Rebecca Adlington) I sprawled myself out on one of the pool loungers for a well-earned rest… but the Tropical Showers were calling me. I mentioned before my love of baths, well if I had a shower like this in my home, I’d never leave the bathroom. The idea behind the steamy, fragrant heat of these showers is that, post-swim, they keep your muscles supple at a nice warm temperature – perfect for those about to enter the steam room (as I was, naturally, going to do). I needed all the toxin-sweating, circulation-improving, ache-soothing help I could get… so reluctantly prising myself away from the exotic stream, I entered the steam room.

This time, I was the only one in there – I felt like Viking nobility! I found a spot and allowed the humidity to settle around me, soaking my skin and I slowed my breathing. The Scotsman uses eucalyptus essence in the vapour of their steam room, so those with a lingering winter cold will find instant relief. By the time I climbed out 15 minutes later, my body was feeling amazing and my head pleasantly dozy – this was exactly the TLC I knew it was craving… and then it was time for the follow-up Arctic Shower. From my reading, I knew that following the extreme heat and moisture of the steam room with a burst of cold water is essential. It allows your body to regulate a normal temperature again and for your freshly-cleansed pores to close up. Knowing this fact, is very different to actually taking a step into something that has ‘Arctic’ in the title. I took a deep intake of breath and reminded myself it was all part of my Spring Clean project. It was certainly invigorating and my drowsiness was gone in an instant.

For the final part of my Aveda Spa visit, I was led into the treatment room – think serene Indian retreat – by a welcoming therapist. I had pre-booked my Stress-Fix Body Massage (though my morning so far had definitely helped wash some of those stresses away already) and had looked forward to this session all day. This bespoke massage means the therapist really listens to you first to find out your problematic areas. Then once they start, they listen to your body, identifying unknown weak spots, muscle knots and joints that need extra care. I’m not quite sure how 60 minutes passed, but in a blur of deep tissue massage and reflexology, relaxing music and aromatic oils, the masseuse informed me we’d come to the end… until next time.

After a hot shower, blow-dry and cuppa, I practically floated out of the building and glided down the street back home. Anyone who saw me – a large tranquil smile spread across my face – probably thought I’d either struck gold somewhere on The Royal Mile or sampled one too many cocktails at North Bridge Brasserie. But I honestly felt better than if both those things had happened! I was finally able to give that bodywork the much-needed care and attention it needed and in the most stylish, luxurious surroundings the city has to offer – this is one Spring Clean that I won’t mind keeping up all year round.

A Sensational Summer in Edinburgh

Watching the sun set over Portobello beach, joining the swathes of festival goers to see world-class comedy acts and enjoying the succulent taste of Blairgowrie strawberries... these are just a few of our favourite summertime activities in Edinburgh. Every year, our city basks in the glow of hosting such an incredible events programme, and there’s nothing more beautiful than a wander around a sun-soaked Royal Botanic Garden either. All in all, we can’t think of a better destination to spend the summer months and with this in mind, we've put together three exciting offers so that every guest can get the most out of their summertime stay in Edinburgh.

Though we’re obviously a little biased, we like to think we can offer the best five-star stay in the capital and for us that means an all-round outstanding experience. Great location is a must, as are spectacular views. Interiors that combine historic Scottish charm and state-of-the-art facilities are a given… and the soft Egyptian cotton sheets? They’re an added bonus, but we don’t think it would be a luxury stay without them. A 60-station gym, 16.2 metre pool and Aveda spa help too, and well, it wouldn’t be a holiday without trying local delicacies. Our summer special offer includes 25% off a la carte dining at North Bridge Brasserie, our very own award-winning restaurant, meaning each guest will have the chance to sample delicious dishes including our exclusive haggis recipe, squid ink tortellini and homemade ice cream, at a discounted price during a five-star stay. 

While taking the chance to explore the city, it’s not uncommon for guests (and team members) to feel a little weary after fighting through the Royal Mile crowds. However, we have two luxury remedies for festival fatigue to ensure everyone can be back on their feet and ready to enjoy another fringe show or two in a matter of hours. First up is a delectable serving of Summer Afternoon Tea at North Bridge Brasserie. Combining finger sandwiches, freshly baked cakes and the refreshing taste of a strawberry mojito, we can’t think of a finer way to refuel this summer. If a stronger course of action is needed, our Scotsman Spa team will deliver the three P’s for £75pp. Polish, Pedicure and Prosecco. A 30-minute Aveda body polish will nourish skin, a 45-minute Stress-Fix pedicure will combine reflexology and soothing scents to truly pamper toes, and a glass of Prosecco will offer the chance to indulge just a little more.

Between a star studded EIFF and sizzling heatwave, an exciting summer has already started in Edinburgh and we’re looking forward to offering you the warmest of welcomes at The Scotsman.