Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, The Glasshouse Autograph Collection Hotel offers a luxurious blend of modern sophistication and historic charm. As part of the renowned YTL Hotels, this boutique hotel provides an unforgettable experience for travellers seeking both comfort and style. Whether you’re visiting for the annual Burns Night celebrations or simply indulging in a relaxing afternoon tea at The Glasshouse, this exceptional Edinburgh hotel promises to be a memorable base for exploring Scotland’s vibrant capital. With its stunning rooftop garden, intimate ambiance and top-notch service, The Glasshouse Hotel truly stands out as a premier destination for both leisure and business travellers alike.
The Glasshouse Hotel Review: a luxurious Burn’s Night experience in Edinburgh
The Glasshouse Hotel in Edinburgh is located right by the city centre on the east side. It is part of the YTL Hotel group and the building was previously the Lady Glenorchy Church before being converted into a hotel in 2003. The beautiful church facade still stands and offers welcoming elegance that is very suitable for Edinburgh.
How to get here
It’s really easy to get to The Glasshouse Hotel. From the airport you can get a taxi or the tram all the way to Picardy Place which is right opposite the hotel. From the city centre or Waverley Train Station it’s a short 8-10 minute walk.
More Edinburgh Hotel Recommendations
Looking for other luxury stays in Edinburgh? The Glasshouse is featured in my comprehensive guide to the best hotels in Edinburgh, where I review 19 properties from 5-star luxury to boutique gems. If you’re specifically interested in whisky experiences, check out my guide to whisky tastings in Edinburgh.
The Rooms at The Glasshouse Autograph Collection in Edinburgh
There are plenty of different room options at The Glasshouse Hotel from Signature Rooms to the Lady Glenorchy Suite. The hotel also offers various packages throughout the year. They include things like whisky tastings, chocolate covered strawberries or afternoon tea.
Ardnamurchan Suite
I had been allocated the lovely Ardnamurchan Suite. This room is part of a number of suites named after whisky distilleries and regions. It’s located on the same floor as The Snug lounge and the rooftop garden. And it actually has a view straight out to the rooftop garden and Calton Hill behind it. The bathroom has both a shower and bathtub with robes and slippers provided. There is also a nice lounge area with a sofa facing the TV. As well as a small table with two chairs by the window.
Room features
- Turndown service with lip balm and pillow spray: I love an element of surprise and it was so lovely to return to the room after the Burns Night festivities to find a pillow spray and lip revive balm on the bedside table along with a bottle of water – what a treat! I might need to ask my husband to do this every time I come home after a whisky tasting…
- Heated bathroom floor: As someone who liked their hotel rooms quite cold and preferably around 17C, it’s equally as lovely to step into the bedroom in the morning and feel that cosy underfloor heating.
- Elemis products: Who doesn’t like Elemis products?
- Really comfortable bed and pillows: I slept really well and both the pillows and bed were perfectly comfortable and soft without being overly so.
- Artwork by local artist: The Glasshouse is working with local artist Liana Moran who has an extensive range of her artworks on display around the hotels and in the rooms, depicting Edinburgh, various distilleries and whisky.
Food & Drink
I have had the pleasure of attending quite a few whisky tasting events in the past. And some of them have also been paired with food. So I was already aware of some of the lovely creations from the food team. But this was my first time enjoying a proper dinner here. I really should make sure to come back more often as it’s been one of my favourite lunches in Edinburgh in the past – and I would definitely book again for another Burns Night.
The Snug Whisky Bar & Lounge
At The Snug my absolutely favourite thing is to take one of the seats by the cosy fire. There is an extensive whisky list and the menu also features local Scottish gins and cocktails. If you are after a lunch, or a light bite, The Snug is also the perfect spot as there is a food menu as well.
♥ If you are looking for whisky distilleries or tours in or around Edinburgh – I’ve written a helpful guide which you can find here!
Afternoon Tea at The Glasshouse Hotel in Edinburgh
I haven’t yet had the chance to try the afternoon tea myself. But if the food and service of the Burns Night event, multiple whisky tastings and the breakfast is anything to go by, I’m sure this would be just as good. The afternoon tea is also served at The Snug Lounge. I’ll make sure to update you once I’ve tried the afternoon tea at The Glasshouse in Edinburgh to write a proper review! 👩💻
The Brasserie
The Brasserie is where we enjoyed our lovely Burns Night dinner and also breakfast the following morning. However I actually got a little confused as the room completely changed between the two events. There is a curtain that the team can use to adjust the size and spaces inside and it took me a moment to realise it was the same room for dinner and for breakfast.
The food for the dinner was fantastic and I have no notes that I would’ve changed. Since it was a Burns Night dinner we had versions of Scottish classics like salmon, haggis, venison and cranachan. It all still felt traditional, but in an elevated and sophisticated way which I appreciated very much.
The breakfast was a set up of both a continental breakfast with a good amount of choice of fruits, meats and pastries. As well as an a la carte menu. Everything felt really fresh and I could’ve happily enjoyed just the continental breakfast and felt really content. Tea and coffee orders were taken at the table. From the a la carte menu, I opted for the avocado toast made with sourdough, scrambled eggs and red onions which was really nice and fresh. I swapped to scrambled as it’s originally served with poached eggs. The breakfast hostess was really accommodating and friendly so it was a lovely way to start the day.
Rooftop Garden
Right next door to the snug you will find the rooftop garden. This is a beautiful space with views toward Calton Hill. I actually have yet to visit The Glasshouse during the warmer months of the year when it is possible to sit outside. But that is definitely on my list to do this year. We ended up sitting here with a little dram of whisky after the Burns Night dinner. It is such a great space for socialising before going to bed.
The team at The Glasshouse Hotel Autograph Collection in Edinburgh
I was welcomed to the hotel by the general manager Ignacio. I really think it’s lovely to see how he makes sure to give credit to his lovely team. After the dinner he made sure to thank them for the service throughout the evening and during my entire stay I really noticed how friendly and accommodating they all are. They are all happy to have a little chat and offer their recommendations and thoughts where wanted so I would give a huge gold star to them all as they made sure my stay was just as good as it could be!
What to do in Edinburgh?
There are plenty of options of things to do in Edinburgh! So many that I’ve written a separate and more extensive guide to everything from whisky tastings to must-visit castles or nearby day trips and you can find them in my Edinburgh Guide.
If you are looking for activities near The Glasshouse Hotel, I would recommend these in particular:
- Calton Hill: Climb Calton Hill and admire the stunning views across the city from a 360 angle.
- The Playhouse Theatre: is located right next door to the hotel so why not check which shows are on during your visit?
- St James Quarter: The best spot for shopping is right next door. St James Quarter has a great selection of shops so it is well worth a visit if you’re looking to do some shopping.
Burns Night at The Glasshouse Hotel
The reason I was staying at The Glasshouse on this occasion was to take part in their annual Burns Night festivities!
What is Burns Night? If you’ve not been to Scotland before, you might’ve not heard of this Scottish celebration of the national bard Robert Burns. A typical Burns Night celebration in Edinburgh involves eating haggis, listening to readings of poems and perhaps some Scottish highland dancing or a ceilidh.
For the Burns Night at The Glasshouse hotel, they had teamed up with whisky brand The Dalmore for a grand celebration in the heart of Edinburgh. The evening started in The Snug with a welcome whisky cocktail whilst enjoying a performance from two talented highland dancers and Lou the bagpiper, who is well-known in Edinburgh. We were all piped down (following the bagpiper whilst she is playing) to the dining room which was set up in a spectacular fashion with candlelight and red floral arrangements.
What followed was a five-course dinner with local ingredients and twists on Scottish classics – each paired with a whisky from The Dalmore. Our Master of Ceremonies did a great job of telling us more about Robert Burns and also did a reading of the classic “Address to a haggis” which is a poem that Burns wrote in 1786. This poem is usually read to present the haggis before the dinner and the haggis is also ceremoniously carried around the table as the bagpiper plays – or pipes – to the haggis.
I know haggis can seem scary when you first hear about it, but it’s honestly really tasty and there is also a vegetarian haggis which is just as good!
Additional Information
- Address: 2 Calton Sq, Edinburgh EH1 3AA
- Website: https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/ediak-the-glasshouse-autograph-collection/overview/
- Price Range: Room prices starting from £157
- Check-In/Check-Out: From 15.00 and before 11.00
- Amenities: Rooftop terrace, whisky bar, WiFi, Afternoon Tea,
- Dog-Friendly: Service animals are welcome, but not pets
- Perfect For: Couples, solo travellers, whisky enthusiasts
FAQ – The Glasshouse Hotel Autograph Collection in Edinburgh
The hotel itself does not have its own gym but the reception can assist in arranging access next doors to the Nuffield Health & Fitness Centre in the Omni Centre.
Pets are not allowed, but service animals are.
Yes, if you are looking to go for an afternoon tea in Edinburgh, then The Glasshouse is a great spot for it. It is recommended to book in advance and the afternoon tea is served in The Snug Lounge.
Need more inspiration for your Edinburgh trip?
- Edinburgh: A local’s guide and recommendations to things to do and see
- The best hotels in Edinburgh: 19 luxurious recommendations from a local
- Lannan Bakery: a local’s recommendations and review of the most popular bakery in Edinburgh
- Where to go for a whisky tasting in Edinburgh: Scotch whisky tours & distilleries
- The best time to visit Edinburgh: A seasonal travel guide
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
