W Hotels expands UK footprint with new Edinburgh site

W Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy's global portfolio of over 30 hotel brands, has unveiled its latest site W Edinburgh. W Edinburgh sits at the heart of the St. James Quarter, a newly revitalised neighbourhood in the city centre which combines retail, entertainment, and dining. Inspired by the best of Scottish culture and history, the hotel sits across three distinct buildings, namely the Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk, and the Quarter House, with a total of 199 rooms and 45 suites, many with outdoor terraces. It also includes the W Hotels brand's signature Sound Suite recording studio, a first for the UK and the second in Europe, empowering musicians, podcasters, DJs, and artists to create and record. Its interiors have been designed by interior designers Jestico + Whiles. The 12-story Ribbon Building features a “striking” exterior façade and the top floor terraces offer guests 360° views of the city. In contrast, James Craig Walk is a heritage listed terrace dating from 1775, that features a stone façade, high ceilings, and tall sash windows. Newly built and interlinking with the Ribbon Building, the Quarter House is also predominantly a stone façade, inspired by traditional Edinburgh architecture. Interiors draw influence from the elements of the coastal city built on volcanic rock, with fire and water providing “juxtaposed inspiration throughout”. Spanning 1,600 square ft, the Extreme Wow Suite (the W Hotels spin on the Presidential Suite) offers a social living area with a dining room and a rock bar inspired by the city's volcanic beginnings. Meanwhile, the guest room features a round super-king-sized bed and walk-in wardrobe. The bathroom has a free-standing bath, private sauna, walk-in shower, vanity and a private terrace. Additionally, W Edinburgh also offers three dining concepts. The top floors and panoramic terraces of the hotel are home to the country's first SushiSamba restaurant alongside the W Lounge, and a Brazilian-inspired speakeasy named João's Place. SushiSamba’s menu will feature a selection of its signatures among new Edinburgh specialties incorporating the “finest” local Scottish produce. The W Lounge serves as the social epicentre of the hotel, reimagining Gaelic cuisine. Lastly, João's Place is a secret apartment speakeasy, offering evenings of music, sunset sessions, and cocktails inside an intimate studio inspired by João's Liberdade neighbourhood of São Paulo Brazil. George Fleck, vice president and global brand leader at W Hotels, said: "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. “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."