Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel Review

Housed in a set of seven historic interconnected Georgian townhouses overlooking Charlotte Square in Edinburgh’s New Town, this city centre property is part of the high-end Kimpton Hotels portfolio, yet pays homage to its home city as authentically as if it were independent. The Kimpton Charlotte Square is loved by locals and visitors alike, with its selection of smart, unique dining venues and destination underground spa. The property is also a firm favourite of The Luxury Editor’s and we recently rediscovered why we love it so much whilst attending the launch of their new trailblazing Stay Well Wellness Programme. Read on to discover more.

Stepping over the threshold of Kimpton Charlotte Square is like walking into an oasis in the heart of the city – it instantly cocoons with a sense of calm and exclusivity. Attention to detail is everywhere through interiors and public spaces, destination dining options and friendly on-point service. Thoughtful guest extras go above and beyond the standard hotel offering with complimentary daily drinks during ‘Social Hour’ in Baba Bar from 5 pm-6 pm which includes unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks (this runs throughout all Kimpton properties globally) as well as a tuck box of goodies, a well-stocked complimentary minibar, Dyson hair dryers and yoga mats in guestrooms too.

Stay Well

Taking guest room amenities one step further Kimpton’s Scottish properties have launched ‘Stay Well’, a wellness initiative designed to help you maintain your health routines while travelling. This programme offers complimentary access to Swell Sound Therapy, providing calming soundscapes in every room to aid relaxation and improve sleep quality. For fitness enthusiasts, the hotel has partnered with Technogym to offer personalised workout plans through an easy-to-use app, allowing guests to tailor their exercise routines based on available equipment and surroundings.

To further support guests’ wellness needs, the ‘Stay Well’ programme includes a ‘Forgot It, We’ve Got It’ service, offering a range of wellness equipment such as foam rollers, Theraguns, and Recovery Wave Boots, available upon request from reception. Additionally, the Stay Well Room Service Menu delivers self-care essentials directly to guests’ rooms, including organic bath salts, warming eye masks, and restorative patches by wellness expert Ross J. Barr. For those looking to explore Edinburgh, the hotel provides curated ‘Kimpton Urban Trails’ for walking, running, or cycling, with complimentary bikes available for guest use.

Situated on Charlotte Square

As its name suggests, the Kimpton is found overlooking this prestigious Edinburgh postcode, diagonally across from the First Minister’s official residence no less. Indeed this is one of the most salubrious addresses in the city. The arterial shopping area of George Street, meets the Kimpton on one side, with the pedestrianised Rose Street providing street access to Kimpton’s wellness area on the other. This central location presents a short walk from all city centre attractions, both railway stations Waverly and Haymarket nearby, along with nearby trams and airport connections. Parking is in partnership with a nearby car park and valet parking can be arranged too.

Tradition With a Contemporary Twist

Bedrooms and suites are stylishly designed, evoking the golden age of travel through carefully curated artwork and décor. Rich leather upholstery, residential-style furniture, including bureaus and low desks, along with cosy touches like robes & yoga mats, create a welcoming retreat. Guestrooms start at ‘Essential’ from 13 – 26 sqm, ‘Premium’ at 19 – 27 sqm and upgrade your escape by opting for one of their spacious Suites which range from King Bed Suite With Living Area, One Bedroom King Suite With Living Area and Town House Suite at 74 sqm with separate living room and dining room. All rooms come with 19-69 premium toiletries & rainfall showers (some with roll-top baths), a Nespresso machine, a kettle and a safe.

Our Room – 1 King Suite Additional Living Area

During our stay, we were hosted in a beautiful 1 King Suite within the ‘Wee Hoose’, the room is generous in floor space with two sash windows looking out to Charlotte Square and a colour palette featuring warm taupe walls, deep blue accents, and rich leather tones.

Sitting centre stage a king-size bed framed by a sleek, upholstered headboard adorned with crisp white linens and textured accent pillows. Symmetrically placed nightstands, each topped with art deco-style lamps, add balance and symmetry. Above the bed, an eclectic arrangement of framed artwork draws your eye and provides curiosity, while touches of nostalgia are at play with the retro-style red telephone and Roberts radio.

At the foot of the bed sits a classic Chesterfield-style leather sofa complemented by houndstooth-patterned cushions. A tall, dark wooden wardrobe offers practical storage and is home to various room amenities. Across from the bed is a separate sitting area with a table and chair, a dressing table, Nespresso Machine, Dyson Hairdryer and a large flat-screen TV.

Bathroom

The bathroom really offers the ‘oooh’ factor, a freestanding clawfoot bathtub and bamboo bath tray are positioned beside the room’s sash window looking out to Charlotte Square, allowing you to relax while soaking with a view. A marble-topped vanity with an open metal frame is stacked neatly with towels, while the herringbone-tiled backsplash and brass fixtures bring a refined contrast. A leather box conceals a selection of bathroom amenities, and behind you is a large walk-in rain shower again finished in that beautiful marble herringbone tiling.

Amenities

A wealth of amenities are available ranging from a free minibar to a goodie tin, Dyson hair dryer and welcome chocolates. But it’s the hotel’s already legendary ‘Forget It We’ve Got It’ scheme by Kimpton that has had a turbo-charge with the launch of the new ‘Stay Well’ programme.

Forget It, We’ve Got It, is split into both complimentary and paid products, from the complimentary section I tried the Theragun and Therawave Roller, which both provide massage-style relaxation. There is a whole host of additional complementary wellness essentials that I have never seen in other luxury hotels before, the Grounding Mat caught my attention as did the Recovery/Air jet Boots and my ears pricked up when I learned about Sleeping Mouth Tape, which I was told is great for general breathing and snorers!

And if you want to go all out at bathtime splash out (excuse the pun) on their Ishga Bath Kit priced at £50, it’s indulgent and comes with Fucus Serratus Seaweed, Ishga Invigorating Bath Salts and Invigorating Body Oil.

Junior Balcony Suites

The hotel is quite the tardis and feels like an insider secret I should keep to myself, but they also have junior suites with balconies that run along the Rose Street side of the property which I have stayed in before and offer the most spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh’s No. 33 at Charlotte Square

I must have walked past the hotel hundreds of times on my comings and goings in Edinburgh and never noticed door number No 33 on Charlotte Square before. No. 33 at Charlotte Square acts like a hotel within a hotel providing an exclusive, private hotel experience within Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel.

With a private entrance, this elegant space is perfect for intimate gatherings, whether hosting a private wedding, family party or creative retreat. Accommodating up to 20 guests across 12 guest rooms, including three signature suites, it also features two stylish event spaces, The Dining Room & The Drawing Room which are ideal for private dining and a dedicated personal host for a seamless stay.

The Garden and Aizle

Back to the main hotel, pass through the lobby where you catch sight of what has to be among one of the most Instagrammbable spots in the Scottish capital — The Garden, home to restaurant Aizle. Chef Patron Stuart Ralston is at the helm of this fine dining delight which receives a continuous stream of praise for its five and seven-course set tasting menus, paired with a globe-trotting wine list and cocktail offering.

Sunlight floods through The Gardens glass apex ceiling by day, while by night, the dark sky is contrasted by bulb fairy lights for a grotto-like experience. Add to this, greenery, hanging plants, boho wicker lighting, rattan furnishings colourful cushions and you have a winning formula, perfect for a coffee, breakfast, brunch or a more formal dinner. 

Baba

The hotel’s second restaurant BABA opened in 2017 and hasn’t looked back, glamorous and sexy, think partially distressed walls adorned by Persian rugs and lots of tiles. With solid food credentials, it’s brought to you by the team behind Glasgow’s Ox and Finch and offers a menu of Levantine-inspired Scottish dishes including mezze dips and sharing items along with charcoal grilled meats and seafood. Flavours pop and zing in your mouth and there is no such thing as a bad choice, it’s one of my personal favourite restaurants in the city and as it’s constantly fully booked night after night I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Spa & Wellness

A spa with a swimming pool in Edinburgh city centre hotels is a rare find, so the Kimpton really is the complete package with the Spa at Charlotte Square offering. Here you can immerse yourself in tranquillity with a dip in their mood-lit lap pool and unwind in the thermal suite, complete with a sauna and steam room.

Then head to the spa and enjoy curated spa treatments where traditional massage and spa treatments using Ishga spa products sit alongside contemporary wellness with the UK’s first dedicated sound wellness room.

Pet Friendly

Kimpton was one of the very first global hotel brands to the pet party when it established a non-speciesist policy that welcomed all animals of all sizes, at every hotel. The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel & Spa follows this ethos and here are some highlights of the VIP pet treatment to expect:

Upon arrival, pets are greeted by name and can enjoy amenities such as plush pet-bed loaners, food and water bowls, and mats in guest rooms. Concierge can provide lists of nearby pet-friendly establishments, and courtesy bags are available for dog walks. Unique touches include door hangers to indicate a pet’s presence and, guests have complimentary access to Wag! Premium during their stay, connecting them with professional pet caregivers for walking, boarding, or sitting services.

Read our review of the Kimpton Blythswood Square where we took our pets to stay here.

Final Thoughts

We have always been fans of the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel – it’s like a resort hotel in the city, and the new Stay Well initiative solidifies the property as not only a leader in Edinburgh’s luxury hotel sector but also an innovator that keeps on surprising and delighting which is why it is included in our guide to the best hotels in Edinburgh.