Luxury Stay at Gleneagles Townhouse: A Boutique Edinburgh Escape
Since it opened in 2022, this has always been somewhere that I wanted to stay, albeit with it (almost) being on our doorstep, it’s taken a few years to get the chance to stay. With having friends that wanted to try out dog-sitting, we took the opportunity for a couple of easy nights away, having one night at The Gleneagles Townhouse, followed by a second night somewhere else I have also wanted to stay, for the uniqueness, Fingal Floating Hotel in Leith Docks. You can read all about the full itinerary here.
Sunset over Edinburgh’s Princes Street, featuring the iconic Scott Monument and historic skyline. The Gleneagles Townhouse is just a stone’s throw from here.
Why Gleneagles Townhouse Was on My Must-Stay List
As I explained in that blog, The Strongs Room here had really interested me, and knowing my love of a spa day, ‘Mrs’ TPT had thought he had booked me in for that at Gleneagles Townhouse a couple of years ago. As a lot of the customer service is joined up (Playground Planners) when he thought he was speaking to the Townhouse directly, he was actually speaking to Gleneagles in Auchterarder. To cut the long story short, I wasn’t able to get my spa day then in Edinburgh, with it being (at the time, confusingly) booked at Auchterarder; so I was really looking forward to part of the reason to stay at the Townhouse being that I could try out the spa and have a treatment. That said, their policy has now changed and you don’t actually need to be either a hotel resident nor wellness member to book a treatment. Treatments are shown online, and you’re able to complete an online enquiry form on their website.
Having a treatment was certainly not the only reason we stayed, I love trying out new hotels and wanted to have that dual experience of comparing and contrasting the newer Edinburgh location to the original Auchterarder, which opened in 1924, originally developed by the Caledonian Railway Company as a prestigious countryside retreat, featuring a world-class golf course and luxurious accommodations.
Gleneagles Townhouse, a luxury hotel in Edinburgh, offers heritage elegance with contemporary luxury.✨
Why Book with The Private Traveller in conjunction with Fora Travel?
Unlock Exclusive Benefits & Tailored Luxury at Gleneagles Townhouse
Booking your stay with The Private Traveller through Fora Travel ensures you enjoy bespoke itineraries and enhanced perks. With access to benefits from a whole array of exclusive hotel programs, your stay becomes even more rewarding. For the Gleneagles Townhouse, there are a number of ways to book, the two benefits inclusive programs here being Virtuoso or Leading Hotels of the World. I can always advise best rates for your bookings, either rates to include perks or the cheapest rate available.
Virtuoso Perks would include:
Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Daily Full breakfast for up to two guests per bedroom, served in the restaurant and via in-room dining
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, not valid on room rate, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early Check-In / Late Check-Out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi
For Leading Hotels of the World bookings, the following would apply:
Breakfast daily
VIP status
Early check in & late check out
Whether you’re indulging in the refined atmosphere of Gleneagles Townhouse or exploring Edinburgh’s historic charm, booking through The Private Traveller ensures a seamless and rewarding experience. Get in touch to tailor your perfect stay.
The elegant key storage at Gleneagles Townhouse features beautifully designed wooden boxes, each corresponding to a guest room. 🏨✨
Fast Facts for The Gleneagles Townhouse:
Address: No. 39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD
Website: https://gleneagles.com/townhouse/
Group Website: https://gleneagles.com/
TripAdvisor Ranking: #140 of 161 hotels in Edinburgh, rated 4 out of 5
Instagram: @gleneaglestownhouse
Nearest Airport: Edinburgh Airport (EDI) – Approximately 6.6 miles (10.6 km) away; about a 25-minute drive, traffic dependent
Opened: 2022
Number of Rooms/Suites: 33 guestrooms, each embracing the building’s heritage while blending timeless charm with modern needs
Number of Floors: Five in the main building (the Members’ Lounge is double height, 5th floor being the rooftop bar) and five in the adjoining building (bedrooms across Ground, 1, 2, & 3 with Lower Ground being The Strong Rooms)
Dining & Bars:
The Spence – A lively all-day restaurant and bar serving a provenance-led menu with classic dishes reimagined with a modern twist
Lamplighters – A rooftop bar exclusive to members and hotel guests, offering expertly crafted cocktails and panoramic views over Edinburgh’s skyline
Wellbeing & Fitness:
The Strong Rooms – A dedicated wellness space offering state-of-the-art facilities, including a cryotherapy chamber, infrared sauna, and over 40 complimentary fitness classes per week
Visited: March 2025
Whether you're visiting Edinburgh for business, leisure, or a special occasion, Gleneagles Townhouse offers a refined yet intimate retreat in the heart of the city. Book through The Private Traveller for a seamless and rewarding stay.
Stay in refined luxury at Gleneagles Townhouse, where historic charm meets contemporary comfort. 🌿✨
Hotel Accommodation:
Four distinctive rooms, one exceptional stay - where elegance meets comfort in Edinburgh.
There are only four categories of bedroom here, each ranging in size, location within the buildings, and outlook.
Master Bedroom: These are the largest rooms, measuring 39–40 square meters, featuring king-size beds, high ceilings, and impressive views over St Andrew Square. Some include free-standing baths.
Town Bedroom: Spanning 30–36 square meters, these rooms offer king-size or twin beds, city views, and a harmonious blend of classic and contemporary design. Some rooms may not have baths.
House Bedroom: These spacious rooms range from 26–32 square meters and come with king-size or twin beds. They offer various views and are elegantly appointed. Some rooms may not have baths.
Nook Bedroom: The coziest option at 29–32 square meters, these rear-facing rooms provide king-size or twin beds and are designed for comfort without external views. Some rooms may not have baths.
“THE STRONG ROOMS
A state-of-the-art wellness space with over 40 complementary classes, housed in the old bank vault at the heart of the Townhouse”
Unwind in the Strong Room Spa at Gleneagles Townhouse, a unique wellness retreat in a former bank vault.
Facilities & Service at at The Townhouse:
Timeless elegance, modern comforts - The Townhouse experience redefined.
I’ve broken down the key facilities and services and shared my thoughts on what makes The Gleneagles Townhouse a great place to stay:
Our House Room #19:
This was a really spacious room on the second floor of the newer extension to the second building for the British Linen Bank, with windows overlooking the garden in front of the now Bank of Scotland building next door, and to St. Andrews Square beyond. It was really light and airy, with an ante-room first with plenty of wardrobe and storage space, and a very handy stool for putting on your shoes!
The main bedroom area was dominated by a huge comfortable bed, albeit there was still room for two armchairs and an occasional table, as well an armoire housing the minibar, kettle, coffee maker, drawers for snacks and extra toiletries etc. A delicious arrival welcome was two hand-made chocolate teacakes. A large LCD TV on the wall could be angled to watch in bed, or otherwise swivel round the chairs for a perfect viewing angle.
Levels of Comfort:
This was such a comfortable room, albeit the only negative was the armchairs which looked beautiful, but actually weren’t that comfortable (not that much padding at all in the base). There was that country house feel which worked so well in the historic buildings, yet had everything you could need like a DAB radio, the TV, excellent Wi-Fi, USB points on every socket, etc. The room was perfectly serviced for our arrival, and again at turndown that evening it was restored to perfection.
Bathroom:
This wasn’t a huge bathroom, but still a very decent space with a large walk-in shower (and great overhead oversized brass shower head), WC and only one sink. The design was striking with dark green tiles on the lower walls and full-height in the shower, green country wallpaper above. Although it wasn’t a cold weekend when we were there, it was nice having the heated floor in the bathroom, and a large heated towel rail too for all the fluffy white towels.
Elegant and timeless, the bathrooms at Gleneagles Townhouse blend vintage charm with modern luxury. 🚿✨
Toiletries were Gleneagles & Co. own brand - Silver Birch hand wash and hand/body lotion, Scotch Heather shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel.
Breakfast:
We had been for breakfast before to The Spence restaurant, but it was equally as good as a resident. Having booked through Leading Hotels of the World, breakfast was fully inclusive, so the entire menu was to choose from. There were juices, shots, and smoothies; fruits & grains; breads & pastries; House favourites; and a great choice of Origin coffee and Pekoetea. I couldn’t help but notice the incorrect spelling of Stornoway (black pudding), and I don’t think they had noticed either.
A vibrant all-day dining experience at The Spence, Gleneagles Townhouse. Indulge in fresh, locally sourced dishes like this smashed avocado toast with poached eggs and chilli flakes.
It’s such an impressive building (this was the old Banking Hall) with massive ornate ceilings, so a perfect place for any meal of the day, and breakfast was no different. We opted for fresh orange juice,a starter of the house granola with locally sourced honey, I had the smashed avocado & poached Nith Valley eggs on toasted sourdough (with the addition of some chilli flakes), and a green tea. ‘Mrs’ TPT opted for The Townhouse, the full Scottish breakfast minus the haggis. The only thing he didn’t like were the baked beans, which we also remembered from staying at the Auchterarder Gleneagles too - not Heinz, and seemed like their own home-made recipe.
Restaurants & Bars at Gleneagles Townhouse:
Elevated dining and skyline sips - The Spence & Lamplighters at Gleneagles Townhouse.
There really just was the one option here, The Spence, for a restaurant; which also had a bar, and then there was the rooftop Lamplighters Bar open to residents and Gleneagles Townhouse members only. If you wanted to, there was also an extensive room service menu.
🏛️ Rooftop views from Lamplighters Bar | 🗿 Historic statues | 🌅 Golden hour in Edinburgh
The Spence
An all-day dining venue, this is an incredible reinvention of the original Banking Hall. There are various seating areas around two central bars, so plenty of options whether you want bar seating, casual, or more formal dining. There is a breakfast, afternoon tea, and all-day dining menus, as well as specials like the occasional Brunch Club, Sunday Roast, Sunday Lunch and a full cocktail, wine, and drinks menu too. Vegetarians are well catered for (as are vegans) and you can see your food being prepared in the open kitchen to the side.
Lamplighters
On the rooftop level (floor 5) of the original main building, this has inside seating and the impressive bar, but also a decent sized outside terrace too with magnificent views across St. Andrews Square and the Edinburgh city skyline. There was a good selection of drinks, coffees, cocktails, and mocktails etc. with an impressive list of my favourite gins - I particularly enjoyed the (Scottish) Caorunn Raspberry, with tonic. We had thought there might have been some food served here, but it really was just nuts and crisps, popcorn etc. We did try to have the salt and pepper cashew nuts, but we were never served them, so we just controlled ourselves until dinner.
Spa & Wellness:
A refined approach to wellness - personalised treatments, movement, and mindful relaxation.
It’s clear through the website and messaging that this is a wellness facility, not a spa; albeit there were some spa facilities like treatments which I availed myself of. There is only one Spa/treatment room and only one therapist, but she was excellent and I enjoyed chatting about her time at both the full-service spa at Gleneagles Auchterarder, and also her time as a spa therapist on the Belmond Royal Scotsman train, and their Dior spa, which I would love to try at some point.
🧘♀️ Wellness with a view – The Pilates studio at Gleneagles Townhouse, set against a stunning Forth Bridge mural. 🌉✨
I’ll be writing a full spa/wellness review to cover my treatment (Be In the Moment, 80 minute personalised massage), which will cover the other treatments available like Dr. Barbara Sturm facials and therapies by Tata Harper, as well as some express treatments, and the complimentary cryotherapy, infrared sauna session, or micro-needling.
There was a large very well appointed gym area, a multi-functional class room (Move Room Two) where they did everything from spinning to Barre Dance, with Move Room One being a dedicated Pilates/Reformer room with four places. As well as this, you could also have a private yoga class in another Wellness Room.
Design & Architecture:
Historic grandeur meets contemporary elegance in the heart of Edinburgh.
Gleneagles Townhouse was originally a historic banking hall, built in the late 18th century. The grand building, located at No. 39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, was once the headquarters of the British Linen Bank, which later merged into the Bank of Scotland. The property, with its neoclassical façade and ornate interiors, has retained much of its historic grandeur while being transformed into an intimate luxury hotel.
🏛️ Historic elegance meets modern art – The grand entrance of Gleneagles Townhouse Edinburgh, blending neoclassical details with contemporary design. 🎨✨
The careful restoration and conversion of the building into Gleneagles Townhouse preserved many of its original architectural details, including intricate cornicing, high ceilings, and elegant stonework, blending them seamlessly with contemporary design elements. The result is a boutique hotel that offers both historic charm and modern sophistication, making it a unique retreat in the heart of Edinburgh.
During the transformation of the former Bank of Scotland headquarters at 37-39 St Andrew Square into Gleneagles Townhouse, a new full-height rear extension was constructed. This extension replaced a large, low-level 1960s addition, allowing for the creation of additional guest rooms and facilities. The design of the extension is a contemporary interpretation that mirrors the proportions and scale of the existing property to the north, ensuring harmony with the original architecture.
What about the Central Edinburgh Location?
The perfect Edinburgh base - seamless connections, iconic sights, and luxury at your doorstep.
This is such a perfect location for Edinburgh, right on St. Andrews Square and easily accessible from Edinburgh Airport by direct tram, the stop literally being outside the hotel itself. Within seconds you have a huge array of bars, cafes, and restaurants, with a choice of shops either on George Street, Princes Street, or the more recent St. James Quarter for shopping and leisure (many restaurants, bars, bowling, darts, and an Everyman Cinema). Linking this open-sided mall to St. Andrews Square is the high-end designer Multrees Walk.
If you’re arriving by train, the main Edinburgh Waverley is only a few minutes walk away too. If you’re looking for sightseeing, the Townhouse is very placed for the Edinburgh New Town, Castle, and all main sites including the Royal Mile and Holyrood only a few minutes away. Now the tram connects down to Leith, this is also a perfect location for visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia at Ocean Terminal, or the trendy Leith area.
Things to Do Nearby at the Gleneagles Townhouse:
Luxury experiences just moments away - dine, unwind, and explore Edinburgh in style.
For a comprehensive exploration of Edinburgh's luxury offerings, including in-depth reviews of Gleneagles Townhouse and Fingal, as well as detailed itineraries and exclusive insights, visit my full blog post: Luxury Staycation in Edinburgh: A Gleneagles Townhouse & Fingal Experience.
During our stay, we had a relaxing time enjoying the glorious March weather (which isn’t always the case in Scotland I have to say), and had a nice lunch in the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street. After an excellent massage in The Strong Rooms Wellness Centre in the hotel itself, we enjoyed drinks on the rooftop terrace in Lamplights, before going on to dinner at Gaucho, a nearby restaurant.
Food & Drink near to The Gleneagles Townhouse:
Edinburgh’s finest dining, just steps from your stay.
You are so well placed here to visit a massive selection of nearby restaurants, cafés, and bars; as well as having the two in-house options.
Gleneagles Townhouse, a luxury hotel in Edinburgh, offers heritage elegance with contemporary luxury.
In this blog I detailed a number of restaurants out with the Townhouse, my favourite of which is the fine-dining options - No.1 at The Balmoral Hotel - you can read all about it here.
The Melville Monument, a striking column in St Andrew Square, is one of Edinburgh’s most notable landmarks.
Highlights of our stay:
There were countless highlights during our time at The Gleneagles Townhouse but here are just a few of the standout moments that made this stay unforgettable:
Location: so easy to get to from the airport by tram, and perfectly located right in the heart of Edinburgh’s centre.
The building repurpose: an incredible change from the original bank buildings to this masterpiece of a hotel.
Townhouse feel: while this feels like Gleneagles, it’s also very different to their main resort, not just in size but in capturing that Edinburgh townhouse vibe.
Food: great food as always at The Spence, and nice to be able to try out the members’ only Lamplighters.
Our room: great space and beautifully designed, very comfortable to stay in and great outlook to the Square.
The Strong Rooms: excellent treatment, and such a warm welcome from Naimh their wellness advisor who was working that day
The welcome teacakes: I’m not usually a fan, but these were delicious.
The people: such a warm welcome on arrival, and everyone we met in either The Strong Rooms, The Spence, reception etc.
Building design: such grand buildings but so beautifully restored and connected. Loved the quirkiness of getting from the main reception to the rooms in the adjacent building (through the retail space) but also the way in which The Strong Rooms were connected underneath from The Spence staircase across both buildings.
The green Townhouse bathrobes: consistent in both The Strong Rooms and rooms, these oversized dark green fluffy robes and very padded slippers were so comfortable.
Areas for improvement:
While every hotel has its high points, there's always room for improvement. Here are a few areas where Gleneagles Townhouse could elevate the experience even further:
The only thing for me, and I know it’s a wellness space not a spa, but (personal preference) I would have liked a steam room and some hydrotherapy facilities in The Strong Rooms. I was surprised by the amount of space there was, so it felt like these could have been accommodated, albeit I imagine planning restrictions might have prevented this.
Mentioned above, and so minor (and I imagine now corrected) the spelling of Stornoway / Stornaway did provoke a “discussion” between ‘Mrs’ TPT as to which was correct!
Would I Stay Here Again?
Definitely without hesitation. Very close to home for us, but if we ever needed to stay in the city, or just wanted to have a day/evening out there, I would be back in a heartbeat.
My final thoughts on The Gleneagles Townhouse:
Our prior stay at main Gleneagles had been a bit disappointing, albeit I do always say this was during the height of Covid restrictions (and also school holidays), both of which would have undoubtedly had a significant impact on our enjoyment during the stay then. You can read that full hotel review here, albeit please do remember that this is now a few years old and hopefully my writing in reviews has become a bit more sophisticated.
A vibrant public square in Edinburgh, St Andrew Square is home to statues, gardens, and cultural landmarks.
Comment Below:
What did you think of my review? Share your thoughts and let me know where I should review next!
Discover my luxury stay at Gleneagles Townhouse Edinburgh—an exclusive boutique hotel blending historic charm with modern elegance. From VIP perks to rooftop cocktails, here's everything you need to know.