First impressions

A church façade guides you into an airy lobby of marble, granite and glass. A spiral staircase leads to a gallery for temporary exhibitions. You are given business cards with your name saying that you are “in residence” at the hotel.

Why it’s special

Lots of glass, which takes advantage of the rich surrounding views of Edinburgh, Forth, the granite skyline and Carlton Hill. The hotel is so new that you can still smell the paint.

Hitting the sack

King-size beds, Egyptian cotton sheets, goose or duck down duvets and pillows, CD player, flat screen TV, Aveda toiletries and a bathroom of marble and glass.

Sampling the fare

No restaurant but there is the Snug Bar, with a surreal, sparkly gas fire.

Added attractions

Rooms on the interior open on to a lush, two-acre rooftop garden (pictured above) with a backdrop of Carlton Hill. Residents get membership of Holmes Place next door and Harvey Nicks, which has a good restaurant, is only five minutes away.

What we think

Comfortable chic (heated mirrors to avoid steaming-up and a bedside switch to pull the curtains).

Access all areas

Four rooms for disabled, plus ramp.

Bottom line

Doubles from £175.

Need to know

The Glasshouse, 2 Greenside Place, Edinburgh (0131-525 8205, www.etoncollection.com ).

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