Malmaison Edinburgh

This was the first ever Malmaison, dating to 1994, in premises that were once a seaman's mission down by the docks in Leith. Although its décor has been refreshed over the last couple of decades, it's no longer entirely box fresh but the concept remains the same: comfort allied with lush, contemporary design and good service. There is an in-house brasserie but some of the eateries nearby are among Scotland's very best.