Village Hotel Edinburgh

The modern Village Hotel could very well pass off as a mall in the suburbs. It is housed in a boxy black building with a large parking lot out front, a Starbucks on the corner, and signs for a gym and a local brasserie on the side. Indeed, it’s a mix of a hotel and a mall. The top floors are occupied by the hotel’s 134 rooms, but the lower levels are home to the common areas, which are popular with non-guests as well. Young people in sports clothes walk in and out of the gym constantly, while locals sip on their lattes by the Starbucks’ big windows. The spa and pub are also big draws for non-guests, especially on weekends, and the lobby is always busy with guests and locals holding casual meetings or chatting before heading out for the day. The hip atmosphere comes with interiors to match. A lot of thought was put into the design, and the property is trendy and stylish through and through. Common spaces such as the reception area and the brasserie have a slight industrial feel, with lots of wood and steel accents and exposed brick walls, but there is also room for some local flair, including plaid patterns and cozy seating throughout. This, along with affordable rates, makes the hotel popular among young couples and groups of friends, but we saw lots of families as well during the weekend. Being away from the city center allows for somewhat lower rates, but there are good bus connections to the heart of the action, which is convenient for budget-conscious travelers. However, those more interested in exploring the city than in using the on-site amenities may want to check out the Ibis Styles Edinburgh Centre St Andrew Square, which offers fresh, comfortable rooms within walking distance of most major attractions. Travelers looking for something cozier and with more local charm in this price range may prefer the Angels Share Hotel, a lovely boutique complete with a great restaurant. The Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Waterfront is a good alternative in charming Leith, near the Royal Yacht Britannia and the Ocean Terminal.  

Village Hotel is located in a leafy part of town known for being home to the gorgeous Fettes College. There are several beautiful parks within a short walk of the hotel, and the Western General Hospital is just down the street, but there are few major attractions within an easy walk of the Village. Though this location may feel a little bit out of the way for those wanting to explore the city center, there are several bus stops right outside the front door. Princes Street and the Scottish National Gallery are both within a 15-minute bus ride from the hotel, while Waverley Train Station can be reached in about 20 minutes. The bus ride to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and St Gile’s Cathedral takes about 25 minutes from the hotel, which is about the same time it takes to get to the Royal Yacht Britannia and central Leith. The airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive away.

Spread over four floors, the hotel’s 134 rooms are contemporary and rather stylish, with clean lines and a cute palette that combines plum accents with smoky-gray furniture. Striped wall-to-wall carpet and matching curtains are a tad uninspired, but all rooms have a few playful touches that add some style, including lilac accent pillows with messages, big clocks with numbers made out of old license plates, and dark trunk-style end tables. Walls are hung with black-and-white photos of historic landmarks. Rooms have a smart design that makes the most of the spaces, for example, open closets and work desks with curved edges double as bedside tables. However, the most affordable units are a tad snug for the price. Amenities are decent for a hotel of this caliber, and include big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles with free tea and coffee. But rooms lack mini-fridges, and those used to plush beds may find these too firm. Club Rooms come with an array of great extras, such as better mattresses, coffeemakers, additional TV channels, and free bottled water. Rates for Club Rooms also include free access to the gym and the heated indoor pool, which Standard Room rates do not. Bathrooms are modern and in good shape, with dark tiles on walls and floors, either walk-in rain showers of shower/tub combos with rain showerheads, and good toiletries.Rooms are appealing and comfortable overall, but there have been some reports of cleanliness issues -- such as dusty surfaces and stained carpets -- especially during busy periods.

The gym and spa are definite highlights at the Village Hotel. Run by a third party and popular with locals, the fitness center offers a wide array of cardio and strength-training machines, along with daily group classes, a spin studio with 40 bikes, and a pleasant heated indoor pool. A steam room, sauna, and whirlpool are also available at the gym, and personal trainers are always around to help. Standard Room guests have to pay to use the facilities, but the fee is waived for Club Room guests. Decorated in soothing hues, warm lights, and rich fabrics, the spa is similarly excellent. Its treatment menu includes body massages, facials, waxing, spray tans, and treatments for men, and there are packages for special occasions, as well as room-and-spa deals for guests. The Village Grill serves traditional pub and brasserie food in a large dining room with huge floor-to-ceiling windows. Sunday roasts are popular, and the bar area is always busy with locals and guests, despite food receiving mixed reviews. Breakfast, which is not included in the standard rate, offers a decent array of hot and cold options, but it's also hit or miss. Those wanting a lighter, cheaper bite in the morning can grab something at the on-site Starbucks, located right across from the brasserie. Extensive conference space is also on-site, consisting of four meeting rooms and a banquet hall for up to 220 guests. All spaces are equipped with AC, plasma and projector screens, and free Wi-Fi. Free outdoor parking is available on-site.