December 4 2023

W Hotels has unwrapped a 12-storey 'ribbon' hotel just in time for Christmas as it wraps up the development of Edinburgh's St James Quarter.

W Edinburgh stands apart from the competition with a 360-degree rooftop deck and even a recording studio for passing musicians to put their experiences of the city into song.

Designed by Jesticho + Whiles the hotel encompasses three distinct buildings around St James Square with the listed James Craig Walk and the traditionally-styled Quarter House augmenting the central Ribbon Building to offer 199 rooms and 45 suites.

The interior design draws inspiration from Edinburgh's coastal location and geological bedrock with dark charred wood panelling and copper ceiling features in public areas supported by a reception desk hewn from volcanic rock.

George Fleck, vice president and global brand leader at W Hotels, said: “Our bold approach to luxury hospitality, complemented by culture-driven programming and cutting-edge design will surely infuse the city with a playful, yet refined ambiance. W Edinburgh invites locals and global travellers alike to explore the city through the brand’s distinct lens. The unveiling of W Edinburgh not only signifies our exciting entry into Scotland but it also proudly marks our second property and continued expansion in the United Kingdom."

Well-heeled guests will be able to avail themselves of the extreme wow suite, which combines an entertaining area, dining room and rock bar with a circular super king bed and a bathroom with a personal sauna.

The upper floors of the hotel play host to restaurants serving sushi and Gaelic cuisine as well as a Brazilian-themed speakeasy secret apartment offering a more intimate setting. 

6 Comments

#1 Posted by Anon on 4 Dec 2023 at 12:13 PM

No mention of Glasgow's favourite delivery architect for the project UR?

#2 Posted by Dave on 4 Dec 2023 at 17:29 PM

Is this the Golden Jobbie building?

#3 Posted by Nairn's Bairn on 5 Dec 2023 at 12:40 PM

In the flesh this doesn't look too bad from the outside. Yes it has some clunky details, and it may be a little too high, but from the street it doesn't have the domineering impact on this end of the New Town that I had feared. It sits in its courtyard more like an oversized piece of public art, rather than an overbearing monstrosity. (It may have more of an impact from afar, on the skyline from certain viewpoints.)

It's very 'new money' and will be handy for those that shop on adjacent Multrees Walk, but overall I think the furore over this will dwindle out, much like the building does.

#4 Posted by UR on 5 Dec 2023 at 21:41 PM

@1 Sorry, yes of course. The full team includes masterplan architects AMA; technical architects BDP; Purcell as heritage architects and landscape architect OPEN.

#5 Posted by Pedant Tic on 6 Dec 2023 at 10:00 AM

@#2 - Isn't it spelt "Jobby"?

#6 Posted by James Hepburn on 6 Dec 2023 at 17:30 PM

We worked with Jesticho + Whiles on Malmaison projects in Birmingham and Oxford. They were terrible and quite arrogant too.

Post your comments