Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh

Built in 1985, the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa hasn't dated well architecturally, a fact which isn't helped by its slightly weather-worn facade. Inside, however, its two-year, multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2012 is still very much in evidence; smart, sleek lines blend with warm, contemporary decor, wood paneling, and polished black-stone floors. This hotel attracts largely business guests -- numerous suits bent over laptops can often be seen in the lobby -- but the high-back armchairs, mood lighting, and overstuffed cushions create a modern, almost homey ambience that also appeals to a fair share of couples in town for weekend breaks. As the name suggests, the hotel occupies a huge property -- offering the largest conference venue in Edinburgh -- and is the city's biggest luxury hotel by some margin. Among the 14 available meeting rooms is one with stylish, turquoise-cushioned chairs, wood-paneled walls, and modern, retro-patterned drapes and carpeting. 

The hotel is located off the busy and central Lothian Road, between Haymarket -- a transit hub with plenty of pubs -- and the iconic Edinburgh Castle. The castle is actually visible from many vantage points in the hotel, though its entrance is still about a 10- to 15-minute walk. The immediate surrounding area is full of restaurants, bars, and cafes, the best of which tend to be around Haymarket about a half-mile away. The renowned Royal Mile, with its lovely cobbled streets and historic buildings, starts about 15 minutes away on foot. Princes Street shopping district is about 10 minutes' walk. 

The hotel's 269 rooms all benefitted from the 2012 renovation, and are decorated in smart, earthy tones with contemporary design furnishings, leather upholstery, warm walnut paneling, and wooden floors. The upscale finish is befitting of the hotel's class, and the clean-lined, modern bathrooms with separate showers and tubs, and adjustable mood lighting complete the luxury feel. While some rooms have superb castle views, others have rather small windows and lack much natural light. Each rooms has a 37-inch flat-screen TV with Bluetooth "media hub" to watch DVDs, play video games, listen to music, hook up cameras, or even charge phones. Wi-Fi is an extra charge in Classic Rooms, and while free in others, there's a charge for faster premium access. Other nice touches include mirrored walls, black-and-white illustrations of Edinburgh by local artists, and opaque glass between bedrooms and bathrooms. 

A real highlight is the hotel's huge One Spa health center, a six-story space connected to the hotel by an elevated glass walkway. The spa has 17 treatments rooms, an extensive gym, a selection of saunas and steam baths, and a seriously impressive rooftop infinity pool with views of Edinburgh Castle (only the pool and gym are free to guests, though not the rooftop Hydropool). The One Square bar and restaurant also impresses with an excellent menu of British favorites, an outdoor terrace, and over 50 varieties of gin. Breakfast, too, is a lavish affair with a range of options, from simple continental to a champagne breakfast -- though they're all pricey. The hotel also offers a huge array of meeting and business facilities (including one fitting up to 500 people), as well three levels of underground parking.