Our Full Review of the Glasshouse Hotel in Edinburgh

About The Glasshouse Hotel Edinburgh

The Glasshouse Hotel has such a fascinating history. While this Edinburgh accommodation has every modern amenity imaginable, its entrance is the facade of the Lady Glenorchy Church.

The chapel dates back to 1846 where it was constructed as a worship place for the less wealthy populace of Edinburgh. Over the next 100 years, the congregation merged with with other churches and it eventually fell out of use. 

Over the next several decades, Lady Glenorchy Church had alternate uses, including a carpet warehouse. In 1986, the city granted permission for the site to be developed on the condition that they retain the centuries old facade.

Finally, in 2000, the work and construction began and this Edinburgh luxury hotel was born. When you walk up to the front of the Glasshouse Hotel, you'll see the brilliant facade of the Lady Glenorchy Church.

Once you enter through the front doors, you'll be greeted by the delightful staff of this Edinburgh accommodation.

The Glasshouse Hotel Edinburgh: The Glenfiddich Suite

At The Glasshouse Hotel Edinburgh, you can expect five star amenities for the finest stay imaginable.

The rooms feature stunning views of Edinburgh from the dramatic floor to ceiling windows, whether they overlook the city from a private terrace or face the central roof garden.

Justin and I stayed at one of the Calton Hill Suites. Each suite is named for a favorite Scottish distillery. Welcome to the Glenfiddich Suite!

The two of us spent two nights in this spectacular suite where we easily made ourselves right at home. The Calton Hill Suites are named for distilleries around Scotland and even contain a dram of that particular whisky in the room.

When we first entered, we immediately noticed the room's spacious, open concept layout. Although the bedroom is divided by a slatted wood panel wall, you can easily drift from one space to the next.

The room features a king-sized bed, a sitting area, and direct access to the rooftop garden. The bed itself is super plush and comfortable with cozy pillows and cotton linens.

There are enough seats around the flat screen TV to entertain a few extra guests if you're traveling with a group.

Justin and I loved how the TV swiveled between the living room and the bedroom. You could spin the TV around to face either side of the room, so you could watch TV from the couch or in bed.

The bathroom is divided into a couple of different spaces. First, you'll spot the two double sinks, perfect if you and your partner if you decide to get ready at the same time. Next, there's a walk-in shower and a large bathtub, so you have the best of both worlds.

I personally adored the turquoise color of the bathroom. It's actually a very similar color to the bathroom walls at our old apartment (except the space is several times larger than our apartment's small bathroom!).

The bathroom floors are heated as well, which is such a lovely bonus.

The Rooftop Garden

One of my favorite places at the Glasshouse Hotel was the rooftop garden. We had access to the courtyard directly from our room, including a small seating area of our own.

The perfectly groomed roof garden showcases lots of green space, plants, flowers, and garden decor. I loved the quirky outdoor furniture in the center of the garden where the chairs looked like giant faces or masks. 

It's a wonderful place to unwind or soak up spectacular views of the city. There's plenty of outdoor furniture, and the rooftop garden is an excellent place to enjoy lunch, afternoon tea, or a cocktail. 

Justin and I also walked up to the top of Calton Hill, which is right near The Glasshouse Hotel Edinburgh. From Calton Hill, we savored views of the hotel itself as part of the landscape. We could even point out our room from the top of this popular viewpoint.

The Snug Experience

The Glasshouse has lots of dining options, including breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Justin and I were treated to the "Snug Experience" at the Snug, a cozy space in the heart of the hotel.

It's a great place to catch up with friends or snuggle up to your loved one with a glass of whisky in your hand. This restaurant bar was fully renovated in 2018.

Justin and I loved the couches around the circular fireplace in the middle of the room. It's very easy to meet people at the Snug. We spent much of our time chatting to a local Scottish man where we shared many interesting and insightful conversations.

The Snug Experience consists of a sharing platter of food, as well as a choice of signature cocktails or a whisky flight. The flights showcase whiskies paired together for your tasting pleasure.

Furthermore, the Snug has about 100 different Scotch whiskies to sample in total. If you aren't well versed in Scotch whisky, allow a member from their experienced team to detail Scotland's most famous whisky regions on the Glasshouse Whisky Map.

While the whisky flights sounded wonderful, we were more tempted by cocktails from the menu, including a whisky sour and a martini.

We also snacked on a huge platter of roasted vegetables, nuts, olives, pickles, and dip. It's fabulous to know that they can cater to a vegan diet at the Snug and the Glasshouse Hotel.

The Glasshouse Hotel's Location

You can't get much better than this. The Glasshouse Hotel is the best place to stay in Edinburgh in terms of location.

You're in the heart of the city center. We were able to walk to every attraction all over town, including Calton Hill, Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and even Arthur's Seat.

Justin and I didn't take public transportation once during our stay. You're close to tons of restaurants, pubs, and cafes. If you're looking for where to stay in Edinburgh Scotland, a hotel in a central location makes your trip so much easier and more enjoyable.

As the hotel is right in the middle of town, they don't have their own independent lot. There's a massive Q-Park parking garage right next to the hotel at a rate of £24 per night. If you pre-book your parking at the Q-Park website and use the code "GH50", you'll receive a discount of 50% off.

If you're taking the train, exit at the Calton Road stop when taking the train from the main Waverley station. From the Edinburgh airport, the hotel is across the road from the final tram stop, York Place. 

The Glasshouse Hotel Edinburgh: The Verdict

When traveling to Scotland and looking for where to stay in Edinburgh, the Glasshouse Hotel is an ideal choice. It's an Edinburgh luxury hotel where you'll feel perfectly relaxed and rejuvenated between your daily adventures in town.

Conversely, you don't even need to leave the hotel if you don't feel like it. You can enjoy the on site restaurant, the beautiful roof garden, your spacious room, and the Snug Experience.

This luxurious Edinburgh accommodation is full of modern amenities. The staff are always ready to assist you with a smile. Book your stay here.