Spa oasis and award-winning cocktail bar make for Scotland’s best hotel of 2025
The five-star stay offers a rooftop deck, a renowned sushi restaurant and a Brazil-inspired speakeasy
Lynk
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A luxury hotel in the Scottish capital has scooped the title of hotel of the year for 2025.
Crowned the best national hotel for travellers tucking in, W Edinburgh took the top spot at Scotland’s Hotels of the Year Awards hosted in the Crowne Plaza at SEC, Glasgow on 26 February.
The Marriott group’s first ‘W’ hotel in Scotland opened in the St James Quarter in 2023 with a rooftop deck, Scotland’s first Sushisamba restaurant, Brazilian-inspired speakeasy João’s Place and a spa oasis.
Read more: The best hotels in Edinburgh
W Edinburgh also received the ‘Lifestyle Luxury Hotel of the Year’ award, ‘Cocktail Bar of the Year’ title for secret apartment speakeasy Joao’s Place and was hailed for its spa treatments at in-house AWAY Spa Edinburgh.
Travel writers and industry experts with 22 years of judging experience said “expect a fabulous, special VIP experience staying at W Edinburgh, from the moment you arrive in the reception lobby of the iconic, circular, copper clad Ribbon building”.
Staff at the swish hotel were also praised for their “charming professionalism”.
Ken Millar, general manager at W Edinburgh, said: “We are thrilled to be recognised as Scottish Hotel of the Year 2025, particularly in such a competitive landscape. It is a testament to our talented team who have worked incredibly hard to bring this property to life over the past year.
“We are honoured to be part of the vibrant Scottish tourism sector and are thrilled to continue offering our esteemed guests our now award-winning W hospitality.”
As for the other big winners, Village Hotels with accommodation in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen was awarded the hotel group of the year title and Radisson Blu Glasgow ranked as employer of the year for large hotels.
Scottish tourism minister Richard Lochhead MSP said on the night: "It's a real privilege to join so many hotel businesses from all parts of Scotland at the prestigious Hotels of the Year Scotland awards. You represent the best of Scotland, the best of excellence and experience.”
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