In the know

Our favourite rooms: Go with the flow (of the building’s curved front) and book up number 4 or 10, both set in the swoop of the front-facing wall overlooking Princes Street. Room 4 is decorated in winey shades of magenta and blood-red with charcoal accents and 10 offers a contemporary twist on Scottish design, with its blown-up thistle-print wallpaper – tartan, shmartan. The executive doubles both have super king-sized beds and rain showers. Romantics and history buffs will love the castle vistas offered up by rooms 5 and 11. In contrast to 11’s milky white expanse, 5 is kitted out like a dark chocolate and orange crème, in spicy black, amber and gold tones. The heavy floral-print curtains, antique-effect armchairs and sculpted regal bed create a suitably majestic effect. Room 12 is also a popular choice with its tiny window in the eaves overlooking the Castle.
Packing tips: Mrs Smiths, leave your tress-tamers at home, all rooms are kitted out with GHD straighteners. Bring some casual chic for The One Below and a chunky scarf to combat the windy city’s Gulf Stream breeze.
Also: Feeling frisky? Find your quirky do-not-disturb sign and turn it to the ‘cock-a-doodle-don’t’ side.

Edinburgh hotels: The Rutland, need to know

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Smith card offer: A cocktail each, of your choice

Edinburgh hotels: The Rutland, food and drink

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The Rutland Hotel

Edinburgh, United Kingdom[view map]

Style: Stately stones in dove-grey tones
Setting: Princely Princes Street

Be king of the castle and stay at the Rutland Hotel, which overlooks the city’s citadel and boasts a plum location, bold decor and majestic wining and dining. This boutique hotel’s listed building sits pretty on Edinburgh’s arterial Princes Street, with the city’s best shops, sights, eateries and drinkeries on your doorstep.

Need to know

Rooms: 12, including three suites.
Rates: £175–£350, including tax and muffins on arrival. Breakfast, from £10.
Check-out: 11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 2pm.
Facilities: Free WiFi throughout. In rooms: HD plasma TV, iPod dock, minibar, free bottled water, Korres toiletries, GHD hair straighteners, Ian Rankin novel (other titles in reception).
Also: Smoking and pets are not allowed.

Food & drink

Hotel restaurant: The award-winning Restaurant at the Rutland is a bold lipstick-red and coffee-black space, awash with natural light from the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. Mirrored columns in the centre of the room add extra sparkle and the small tables scattered around the area make for romantic meals à deux. Expect locally sourced Scottish produce; sample dishes include seared Tarbert scallops with cauliflower puree and shitake mushrooms, or grilled North Sea lemon sole, with roasted salsify, brown shrimps and samphire cress. The clumsy beware; low-hanging squashed glass globes loop down from the ceiling, adding extra glimmer and gloss.
Dress code: It’s a relaxed dining den, so you’ll feel equally at home in fancy frock and crisp shirt or casual comfy cool.
Top table: Rally the troops and assemble by the window, around a huge circular table in the curved front of the building. A centrally hung black desk lamp will light up the castle views; come Hogmanay, these tables are prime dining real estate.
Last orders: The restaurant is open from 11.30am–5.30pm for lunch and 5.30pm–10pm for dinner (10.30pm Fri and Sat). The bar serves up fruity and fabulous tipples from 8am until 1am and for the early birds, breakfast is served from 8am¬–11.30am.
Room service: Room service is available 7am–10pm, with options taken from the restaurant menu.
Hotel bar: Sip a Songbird in the bar; this fruity muddle of Bombay Sapphire, pomegranate liqueur, lychee juice and lemon will get you in the mood for The One Below club. The gastro-pub style room is equally suited to work (exploit the wireless facilities) or pleasure. Pull up some cow-hide-covered swivel chairs with friends, spot the flatscreen TVs disguised by gilt frames and watch the locals coming and going; set a prize for the first person to spy Ian Rankin, a Rutland regular.

Also worth knowing

Children: Children are welcome. Cots are provided free of charge, extra beds cost £35 and there is babysitting service for £10.50 an hour (book a day in advance). Little ‘uns can eat in the restaurant, which has a children’s menu.

Smith Members offer

A cocktail each, of your choice

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If you'd prefer to talk to someone, or don't want to book online, call our travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee you’ll get the best available rates, and we don’t charge a booking fee.