Nira Caledonia is set to stake its claim to be Edinburgh’s premier boutique hotel as it reopens fully once more following the completion of a major £1.4 million refurbishment.
The 28 bedroom hotel – located in one of the most exclusive addresses in Edinburgh’s New Town – promises guests a blend of Georgian elegance, contemporary cool and heartfelt service.
The reopening of Nira Caledonia – as well as the re-launch of its hugely popular Blackwood’s Bar & Grill – marks the end of nine-month renovation caused by a fire to a major part of the building.
Painstaking and expert work was carried out to carefully restore the original period cornicing and plasterwork and revamp the bedrooms – effectively creating a complete new hotel.
General manager Chris Lynch said the transformation will certainly not disappoint any one. He said: “Nira Caledonia is a hidden gem in Edinburgh’s hotel scene. As well as mixing quirky Georgian splendour with 21st Century comforts, Nira Caledonia aims to take guest comfort to new levels. “We love the fact that we are a secret find for travellers looking for a special place to stay in our Capital. “We think, in no time, Nira Caledonia will be seen as Edinburgh’s premier boutique hotel.”
Each of the 28 suites and rooms are individually styled and aim to exude opulence and romance, combined with modern-day comforts. The 14 newly renovated bedrooms feature sumptuous interior design by Jeffrey’s Interiors.
Uniquely, Nira Caledonia offers a Jacuzzi suite with its own garden; a two-room hideaway that oozes decadence.
Nira Caledonia is one of only three hotels in Scotland to be a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which promotes only those which meet 730 exacting quality standards. Every one of its 525 members is inspected every year and must reach a minimum score on each standard.
Filip Boyen, CEO at Small Luxury Hotels of the World, said: “We are delighted that Nira Caledonia will be fully open once again offering our guests the very best welcome and hospitality in the heart of Edinburgh. The hotel and its relaxed elegance characterises the independently minded spirit on which SLH is built and perfectly complements our other two hotels in Scotland. We encourage guests to use this reopening as a reason to visit, or revisit, this wonderful city.”
“By being boutique and independent, it also means that we can be selective to pick the best suppliers who can deliver the optimum products and comforts for our guests.
“That covers everything from hand-stitched 2000 pocket-sprung British-made beds, to the sausages made by local butcher George Bower in our breakfast, to being the only hotel in Scotland to offer L'Occitane products in every bathroom.
“We even chose our Cru Kafe coffee pods as they were they were only ones which are totally recyclable while the coffee itself is Fairtrade and organic.”
Located over two townhouses on Gloucester Place, the property was home to the renowned 19th century bon viveur and hedonist, John Wilson, who wrote under the pseudonym Christopher North. And the décor and style aims to continue the tradition he set.
The reopening also signals the relaunch of Nira Caledonia’s Blackwood’s Bar and Grill – and the return of its Josper charcoal grill and famed chateaubriand steak dinners for two. The restaurant, named after the 19th Century Blackwood’s Magazine that featured John Wilson as one its main writers, is offering a special price on its chateaubriand steak dinners for two for £49.
Nira Caledonia is part of Shanti Hospitality, a hotel and leisure company with a focus on building and developing exceptional assets and brands. There are two other properties in the Nira portfolio; Nira Alpina in St Moritz and Shanti Maurice in Mauritius.
Rooms at Nira Caledonia start at £159.
