Opulent, sexy, and audacious: Checking in to the W Edinburgh

This hotel opens up new vistas on this ancient city, also seen from the W Lounge where conscientious staff grapple with the ambitious Celtic mythical creatures-inspired cocktail menu. My White Dragon was an interesting blend of gin, sherry, tomato water and pickles with a fiery rim of spices.

Just like Heinz, there are a mind-boggling 57 varieties of room types here across 199 guestrooms and 45 suites - also in James Craig Walk and the Quarter House buildings.

General manager Ken Millar, previously of the Renaissance Amsterdam, took me to see the cream of the crop, Room 901 – the Extreme Suite, otherwise known as the ‘EWOW’. Interiors by Jestico + White in conjunction with AMA Studios draw on Edinburgh as a coastal city built on volcanic rock, fire and water, immediately visible with its roughly hewn, white rock bar.

EWOW is undoubtedly up there with the world’s sexy, rock n roll suites, complete with rotating round bed with a full-on view of Edinburgh Castle should you wish, dining area with pantry and projector, sunken bath and sauna, and vast balcony with ‘look at me’ outdoor shower. Millar was keen to point out the classy walnut panelling which, rather than lending a sober air, bigs up the opulence further!

My ‘Fantastic Suite’ 908 was indeed fantastic with remote control panels for the sheer curtains and a sexy bathroom walkway behind the plump double bed. It was a joy to catch the animated W lift down to the fifth floor Away Spa for a destress massage. Nice extra touches included a hot wheat and lavender bag on my shoulders and a detox shot of carrot, ginger and turmeric as Carly explained the treatment which used Italian Comfort Zone products and culminated in a divine head massage. I’d love to return for the Himalayan salt massage on the eagerly awaited ‘sand bed’.

Back on reception level, the champagne and coffee bar is ready and waiting to welcome new guests, and just beyond is a corridor christened the Cinema Tunnel, a nod to Edinburgh’s film industry. I could imagine Train Spotting Begbie raising an eyebrow or two at this place. Its nine-metre long screen flashes featured content with red velvet cinema-style bunkets opposite. Carry on through, and a Craig Black spray-paint mural backs a stepped seating area which Millar assures me is a popular chill out/laptop zone. It all feels like clever use of a somewhat awkward space.

Millar tells me Edinburgh is the W brand’s 69th property, an accolade that this sexy beast can more than carry off, especially when you host your very own party on the roof with 360 views, reinforced glass panels looking down into SushiSamba below and pods in case of inclement weather. Nothing, it seems, can stop the party here. marriott.com