Fingal Edinburgh Review: A Luxury Floating Hotel Staycation in Leith
Fingal, Edinburgh’s luxurious floating hotel, had been on my radar since it opened in 2019. With the Port of Leith tram stop just a two-minute walk from the ship, and a direct connection to Edinburgh Airport, it's incredibly accessible — especially for us, just a short tram ride away. The only challenge was finding someone to look after the animals for a night or two, as we typically save our Trusted Housesitters setup for longer trips.
When a friend who’s considering getting a dog offered to look after our two for the weekend, it gave ‘Mrs’ TPT and me the perfect excuse for a mini staycation — no flights, no hassle, just an easy and indulgent escape. We started our getaway with a night at The Gleneagles Townhouse in the heart of Edinburgh, followed by a short tram journey to Leith, and a stay aboard the remarkable Fingal.
Read on for my full review of Fingal, plus a look inside The Gleneagles Townhouse and its wellness sanctuary, The Strong Rooms.
A perfect reflection of Fingal’s bow, mirrored in the calm waters of Leith's historic dock.
If you’re inspired to book Fingal, Gleneagles Townhouse, or any other luxury hotel, I’d be delighted to assist. Through my partnership with Fora Travel, I can access a wide network of exclusive hotel programs — often unlocking perks such as daily breakfast, room upgrades, resort credits, early check-in, and more (subject to availability and hotel participation).
Whether you're planning a staycation, city break, or a longer international escape, start by filling out my travel enquiry form or emailing me at dave.gillan@fora.travel — and let’s plan something exceptional.
A Seamless Scottish Escape: From City Chic to Coastal Charm
Plan Your Own Edinburgh Staycation
Curious about recreating our effortless city-to-shore getaway? I’ve put together a detailed itinerary featuring both The Gleneagles Townhouse and Fingal, with recommendations for spa time, dining, and scenic strolls. Whether you’re local or visiting from afar, this two-night escape blends indulgence and ease — no passport required.
👉 View the Edinburgh Luxury Staycation Itinerary
Or get in touch for a bespoke version tailored to your travel style. I’d love to help you plan it.
A glass-floored corridor offers a glimpse into Fingal’s original engine room—where heritage meets design.
Why Book with The Private Traveller in Conjunction with Fora Travel?
Exceptional stays, elevated with exclusive perks.
When you book your stay at Fingal — or any of the luxury hotels I work with — through The Private Traveller and Fora Travel, you'll often enjoy exclusive benefits that aren’t available when booking direct. While perks vary by property and availability, they may include:
Daily breakfast for two
$100 hotel or dining credit
Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)
Room upgrade on arrival (subject to availability)
A welcome amenity
Complimentary Wi-Fi
I have access to a wide range of luxury hotel programs — including those typically reserved for top travel advisors — which means I can often secure extra-value inclusions for your stay. Not all properties offer every benefit, but I’ll always aim to get you the best available experience.
Ready to plan your next escape? Fill out my travel enquiry form or email me at dave.gillan@fora.travel to get started.
Warm wood-panelled corridors aboard Fingal, lined with black-and-white maritime photography.
Fast Facts for Fingal Hotel Edinburgh:
Address: Alexandra Dock, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7DX
Website: https://www.fingal.co.uk
Group website: https://pobhotels.com/
TripAdvisor ranking: No.1 UK Luxury Hotel and No.1 UK Small & Boutique Hotel
Instagram: @fingaledinburgh @pobhotels
Nearest airport: Edinburgh Airport (EDI), approximately 10 miles (16 km) away; about a 40-minute drive, traffic dependent or direct tram route
Opened: 2019 (Originally built in 1963 as a lighthouse tender for the Northern Lighthouse Board)
Number of rooms / suites: 22 luxury cabins, including Classic Cabins, Classic Duplex Suites, Luxury Cabins, Luxury Duplex Suites, and the Skerryvore Suite
Number of floors: 4 (entry level ‘ground” 0), -1, 1, 2)
Dining & Bars: The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, offering breakfast, Afternoon Tea, dinner, and cocktails
Wellbeing & Fitness: No facilities available on board, but you have captivating Leith to walk around, or get your steps up by going into the capital centre.
Visited: March 2025
Strolling along the dockside towards Fingal, moored at the historic Port of Leith.
Hotel Accommodation:
Where Heritage Meets Hospitality
This is such unique accommodation over four floors, with some of the duplex suites with entrances across two floors. All rooms and suites are named after Scottish lighthouses which were part of the Northern Lighthouse Board, no suite or room numbers. The full list is here, so you can either book by room type, or if you had an association or an affiliation with one name or another, you could also take pot luck and pick your favourite that way:
Mull of Galloway, Fair Isle South, Start Point, Lismore, Flannan Isles, Isle of May, Muckle Flugga, Bass Rock, Neist Point, Cape Wrath, Rubha Nan Gall, Ornsay, Kinnaird Head, Mull of Kintyre, Skerryvore, Duncansby Head, Eilean Glas, Tarbat Ness, Chanonry Point, Noss Head, Covesea Skerries, Bell Rock
“The Spirit of the Sea
A luxury floating hotel permanently berthed on Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront, just two miles from the city centre.
A hotel with all the glamour and style of a superyacht but with an old-world elegance that is completely unique.”
Fingal’s signature trident and ship emblem inlaid in marble on the upper deck.
Facilities & Service Aboard Fingal:
Exceptional hospitality and timeless maritime charm.
Throughout our stay, service was faultless — warm, attentive, and professional — all in a truly unique setting. While Fingal offers the familiar features of a luxury hotel, including a stylish reception, restaurant, and bar, it's the ship’s rich history and thoughtful restoration that truly set it apart.
Guest accommodation ranges from beautifully appointed cabins to spacious suites, each named after a Scottish lighthouse. On the lower deck, a glass-encased walkway leads through the original engine rooms, meticulously preserved to showcase the ship’s heritage and craftsmanship.
Fingal also offers two elegant event spaces for private dining and special occasions:
The Ballroom – A dramatic, double-height venue with two grand staircases and a mezzanine bar. Perfect for Champagne receptions or private events, it accommodates up to 60 guests with space for live entertainment.
The Bridge – Once the ship’s command centre, now an intimate space for meetings or private dining, seating up to 10 guests.
Whether you're staying overnight or planning a memorable event, Fingal combines historic charm with five-star sophistication.
I’ve broken down the key facilities and services and shared my thoughts on what makes the XXXXXX s a great place to stay:
Our Suite Ornsay:
We stayed in a Deluxe Duplex Suite, with an entry on the upper deck of the ship and a curved internal staircase leading down to the bedroom and bathroom below. Upstairs, the space featured a cosy sitting area with two chairs and a coffee table, a well-sized wardrobe with restored original storage recesses (a nod to Fingal’s seafaring past), and a built-in minibar and drinks station. There was also a corner writing desk and tea/coffee facilities for added comfort.
Descending the staircase revealed a spacious bedroom where the contours of the ship’s hull added real character. Three portholes brought in natural light, with another centred in the bathroom wall. A remote-controlled blind offered full privacy or blackout at night. The bed was enormous — wide, high, and incredibly comfortable — with thoughtfully placed, beautifully branded wooden kick stools for an extra boost up if needed. The room also featured a curved vanity desk and a generously sized TV, all designed to blend comfort with maritime elegance.
Levels of Comfort:
The suite was beautifully appointed and impeccably maintained, blending nautical charm with modern luxury. Original details like portholes, brass hooks, and a padded ceiling added character, while above the bed, a striking embossed panel featured a topographical map of the Isle of Ornsay — a subtle nod to the suite’s namesake and Fingal’s seafaring heritage.
Modern comforts were seamlessly integrated, including air-conditioning, fast onboard Wi-Fi, an LCD TV, and a variety of ambient lighting options to suit different moods.
The minibar offered a well-chosen selection of alcoholic and soft drinks at fair prices — I especially appreciated the branded Britannia Gin & Tonic, while the restaurant featured its own Fingal gin. Complimentary touches included bottled water, Tunnock’s teacakes (though the handmade ones at Gleneagles were superior), and buttery shortbread fingers from Shortbread House of Edinburgh — the perfect Scottish welcome.
Bathroom:
I’m always pleased to find a bathroom with twin sinks, and Fingal delivered — with style. The space was impressively large, featuring a deep, freestanding metal soaking tub, a huge walk-in shower, and a separate WC. Underfloor heating ran beneath classic white tiles, while the sloping hull wall and shower were finished in elegant green glass mosaic, adding a refined nautical touch.
The suite’s elegant bathroom with a twin vanity and a classic tub - refined maritime luxury.
A generous supply of Noble Isle toiletries was provided in the shower — including two bath and shower gel options, one aptly named Whisky & Water. For the bath, a full range of Ishga Scottish seaweed products was on hand, along with thoughtful instructions on how to create the perfect seaweed and mineral soak — which, of course, we did.
Breakfast:
Breakfast was served in the elegant Lighthouse Restaurant and was included in the room rate. A selection of fresh juices, teas, and coffees was offered to start the day. ‘Mrs’ TPT opted for the full traditional Scottish breakfast, while I had a modified vegetarian version, which was equally satisfying — complete with vegetarian haggis and toast. A beautifully relaxed start to the morning aboard this unique floating retreat.
The breakfast setting in the Lighthouse Restaurant was just as inviting as the meal itself. With large windows offering panoramic views of the dockside, we savored each bite while the early morning light gently poured in. The attentive staff made sure we had everything we needed, from replenishing our tea to offering local jams and freshly baked pastries. It was a lovely touch that enhanced the overall experience — the perfect blend of indulgence and tranquility to begin the day aboard this floating hotel.
Restaurant / Bar on Fingal Floating Hotel:
All-day dining with a view, from breakfast to cocktails.
Fingal features a single dining venue — the elegant Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, located on the top deck. This stylish, light-filled space serves multiple purposes throughout the day, offering a relaxed setting for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, and evening cocktails. Mixed seating makes it a comfortable spot whether you’re stopping in for a drink or enjoying a full meal.
Inside The Lighthouse Restaurant, where art deco meets maritime charm.
Dinner was a standout experience, with the choice of a two- or three-course menu, and optional wine pairings. The menu offered a strong variety, including excellent vegetarian and vegan options, all beautifully presented and prepared to a high standard.
Design & Architecture:
Nautical heritage meets contemporary luxury.
Fingal’s design is a masterclass in elegant transformation — from working ship to five-star floating hotel. Originally built in 1963 as a lighthouse tender for the Northern Lighthouse Board, the vessel’s rich maritime heritage has been preserved and reimagined with extraordinary care. Polished brass, warm woods, and curved lines echo her nautical past, while luxurious textures, bespoke furnishings, and thoughtful detailing bring a modern, boutique feel. From the restored engine room to the lighthouse-inspired suite names, every space on board tells a story — combining history, craftsmanship, and timeless Scottish style.
A corridor above Fingal’s original engine room offers a glimpse into its mechanical heart.
Complementing this maritime elegance is Fingal’s seamless blend of heritage and contemporary design across every deck and corridor. The ship’s layout honours her original structure while reinterpreting it through a luxury lens — think grand staircases with nautical rope details, Art Deco-inspired lighting casting a warm glow over teak floors, and custom cabinetry that mirrors traditional shipbuilding techniques. Every element has been chosen not just for aesthetic harmony but for storytelling — creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and iconic. Whether you’re sipping champagne on the deck or unwinding in your suite, the design invites you to slow down and savour the romance of seafaring days gone by, now wrapped in the comfort of understated opulence.
What about the Leith Docks Location?
Waterside Living in the Heart of Edinburgh
Being an Edinburgh local, I’ve been to Leith many, many times but it was great to stay, especially when the weather was so nice. If you’re visiting Edinburgh from further afield, this can be a great base, as the city centre and other areas are all easily accessible by tram or Uber. Albeit just a couple of days, we enjoyed walking around Leith, seeing the Saturday market and being able to pop into a cafe or bar for a drink. Ocean Terminal is nearby for shopping, dining, or cinema but it’s not looking its best at the moment with it undergoing reconstruction work.
Things to Do around Fingal/Leith Docks area:
Explore Leith Like a Local
With this just being a one-night stay, in the afternoon we arrived and our suite was not quite ready. We first opted for a drink in the Lighthouse Restaurant/Bar before having a walk around the Leith docks area. There are so many bars, restaurants, cafes and shops on the doorstep, and that day there was also a market in a square nearby.
The grand Royal Drawing Room, with its floral furnishings and cosy fireplace.
As guests of Fingal, you’re offered complimentary tickets to the Royal Yacht Britannia, with the visitor centre being located within the Ocean Terminal mall. We had an excellent visit the morning after, albeit Ocean Terminal was undergoing construction work and the mall looked far from its best. Hopefully in time with redevelopment and a new strategy, it can become more appealing. It is very convenient though, either a short walk or just one tram stop away.
Food & Drink near to Fingal Hotel:
Leith’s Culinary Scene Awaits
Being in the heart of Leith, there are numerous restaurants, bars and cafes literally only a short walk away, and I published a list of them in this Travel Itinerary blog here. If you want to travel further afield, all of the city central Edinburgh restaurants are only a short hop away on the tram, or indeed Leith Walk, which connects Leith to Edinburgh centre, now also hosts a number of excellent options too.
One of my favourites nearest to Fingal is The Little Chartroom, with a restaurant called Cilantro which I have also reviewed here.
Fingal alongside the Vine Trust building with views of Leith’s architectural heritage.
Highlights of our stay:
There were so many highlights of the stay at the but here are just a few of the key points, which I hope you find a useful summary.
Location - so easy to get to, especially by environmentally friendly Edinburgh tram direct from the airport
Our suite - such a great space and beautifully appointed
The Lighthouse Restaurant - excellent all-day dining, and also a great space for a drink or coffee in either a bar or lounge setting. Afternoon teas looked great too.
Loved the repurpose from lighthouse supply ship to a luxury floating hotel.
The in-suite Scottish touches like the shortbread, chocolates on arrival, the Noble Isle toiletries and the whole array of the Ishga Scottish seaweed bath range.
Getting complimentary access to the nearby Royal Yacht Britannia. I’d been before, but it looked like a lot of restoration work had been completed since, and there was a great flow to the tour. And a new restaurant/cafe.
Dinner was really good, particularly nice to sit at the window overlooking the after-deck.
The attention to detail - the (huge) bed was quite high, but if you needed some help, as a step-up there were perfectly designed (and branded) mini stools at either side of the bed.
The staff - so friendly, from reception to the restaurant.
Cleanliness - the suite (and the whole hotel) was literally shining.
So good to still see the engine room as part of the hotel corridor.
Nice touches like all the downstairs blinds in the suite being remote controlled.
The grand saloon set for a private dinner—ideal for weddings and events aboard Fingal.
Areas for improvement:
Wherever we stay, I do always like to look at the positives on any property we stay in, and airlines we fly with etc. but sometimes you can’t help but notice things that (for me, but I realise this is always personal) might have made for a better stay.
Very hard to leave a negative here, we had such a good stay and I would love to go back and try another suite.
Nothing to do with Fingal, but Ocean Terminal, which used to be good, is very disappointing. Thankfully though, it does look like there is a lot of work underway.
Would I Stay Here Again?
Absolutely. I’d been wanting to stay for some time, and Fingal truly lived up to expectations. Next time, I’d love to try a different suite - perhaps the top-of-the-range Skerryvore.
The Bridge Room aboard Fingal, styled as an intimate library with views across the Leith docks.
My final thoughts on Fingal, Leith’s Floating Hotel:
Fingal is more than just a place to stay - it's an experience that blends maritime heritage with refined luxury. From the polished brass and rich wood interiors to the impeccable service and serene harbour setting, it’s a one-of-a-kind escape in the heart of Edinburgh’s vibrant port district.
Ready to experience Fingal for yourself - or discover somewhere just as extraordinary?
As a Fora Travel Advisor, I can book your stay with exclusive perks like upgrades, daily breakfast, resort credits and more, all at no extra cost. Reach out via @theprivatetraveller or head to theprivatetraveller.com to start planning your next unforgettable getaway.
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I hope you enjoyed this review - I'd love to hear your thoughts. Have you stayed here, or is it on your wishlist? Share your impressions in the comments and let me know where you’d like me to review next. And remember, if this destination has inspired your next escape, I’d be delighted to help you book with exclusive perks through @theprivatetraveller and Fora Travel.
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