Hotel du Vin & Bistro

The Hotel du Vin was originally a Victorian poorhouse before being converted into a mental asylum and then science laboratory. After extensive renovations, the building finally reopened as Edinburgh's outpost of the Hotel du Vin boutique hotel chain in 2008. Adhering to the aesthetics of the brand, interiors blend chic modern designs with plenty of cozy traditional touches, including comfy brown leather sofas, splashes of tartan, and numerous pieces of wine-related artwork, including a large centerpiece chandelier created from dozens of cut-crystal wine glasses. As much a French-style bistro as a hotel, the property also offers a dizzyingly extensive list of wines (354 and counting), stored across its four cellars. There's also a pleasant courtyard containing what must be the city's only deluxe heated outdoor cigar "bothy" or smoking shack. 

The hotel has an excellent location in the heart of the Scottish capital, just around the corner from the University of Edinburgh and within easy walking distance of most of the city's main attractions. The cobbled streets of the ever-popular Royal Mile are a 10-minute walk away, while the iconic Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street shopping take closer to 20 minutes on foot. Edinburgh's main train station is 15-minutes away on foot -- or a five-minute cab journey -- while Calton Hill and its fine cityscape views are under a five-minute drive away. 

There are 47 rooms and suites in all, most of which overlook the hotel's central courtyard. Decor mixes traditional wooden furnishings with smart modern touches and a few carefully picked vintage pieces, while some romos are also dressed with elegantly patterned wallpaper. While a few Standard Rooms are on the small side, suites are spacious, and the Executive Suites open up to small balconies. Superior Rooms and all categories of suite come with custom-made sleigh-style beds with Egyptian cotton linens and big bathrooms with bathrobes, roll-top bathtubs, and/or walk-in rainfall showers. 

The hotel's emphasis is squarely on eating and drinking, with a particular focus on wine. The main eatery is the French bistro, a rustic-chic Provence-inspired room with exposed brick walls, wood tables, and vintage advertising on the walls. Along with a huge wine list with over 350 wines, the bistro offers a menu of simple, home-style cooking. The breakfast here is also a cut above the average, with fresh-squeezed juices and cooked-to-order eggs and crepes -- though it's not included in most rates and is a pricey add-on. The upstairs Claret Bar has comfy couches for sipping on wine, while the stylish Whiskey Room offers a range of whiskeys and Cuban cigars -- to be smoked outside in the heated cigar bothy (a traditional shack most commonly found in parts of rural Britain). The bar food is also impressive and the hotel frequently organizes tasting days in its Laroche Taste du Vin room. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's a cozy meeting room that can comfortably seat 12 guests.