LifestyleTravelDo Not Disturb hotel review

Monday, 20th July 2020, 2:07 pm

For those keen to escape the lethargy of lockdown, an overnight stay at Edinburghs latest cocktail-bar-cum-hotel, House of Gods, is an immersive experience that you wont forget in a hurry.

Opened in September 2019, House of Gods is a 22-room boutique hotel and cocktail bar just off Edinburghs Royal Mile. The mix of OTT interiors, lavish furnishings and hand-finished details offer a wow-factor thats usually only seen in high end abodes. Years spent working in London opened the eyes of brothers and owners, Ross and Mike Baxter, to a world of unapologetic luxury which was dampened by industry exclusivity, financial barriers and blown up price points. Both felt that there was a real desire for something luxurious and unique but affordable, and after a move home to Edinburgh, House of Gods was born.

Speaking at the time of opening, Mike Baxter said: From spending weekends on the road to individually collect 20 antique Chiavari chairs before reupholstering each in House of Hackney fabrics, to storing a free-standing nickel-plated bathtub in my loft for the past eight years, weve built this place with zero compromise.

The whole ethos of House of Gods is total bonkers boutique luxury thats available for everyone. The price reflects this, ranging from 80-150 per room, with an in-room continental breakfast included.

The rooms, which range from cosy cabins through to four-poster classic rooms to spacious suites feature luxurious dark red velvet wall coverings, with private bars hidden behind antique mirrors and floor-to-ceiling marble in every oak-panelled en-suite. The inspiration for the room design is the old-world decadence of the original Orient Express cabins with the addition of mod cons such as flat-screen TVs and Nespresso machines. Tactile furnishings in more velvet and fake fur plus moody lighting give a rock and roll edge.

In the cabin or classic rooms the bathrooms are marble-clad shower rooms whereas the suite boasts an oak-panelled bathroom with freestanding Victorian tub. Each is complete with sweet-smelling Cole and Lewis toiletries.

In the rooms guests will find a wifi enabled butler button which they can use to call for prosecco, breakfast or milk and cookies all complimentary. There is also an option to have cocktails delivered from the bar to rooms, or made in the corridor in front of guests. Rooms are sanitised before the housekeeping staff arrive, so an in-depth clean is done daily.

At House of Gods theres only wining (although breakfast is available) at the Lounge Bar, which features huge panels of Gucci Heron wallpaper, neon signs and Rosso Levanto Red Marble bar tops. The refined dcor is juxtaposed with an overhanging giant disco ball. The bar is home to a bespoke cocktail menu inspired by rock and rolls Bohemian past, with drinks named after tales of hotel hedonism and debauchery. It has been renovated to create a socially distanced space for customers, with Victorian-style screens and drapery to separate areas theres no perspex here.

Worth getting out of bed for

Located in the Cowgate, just off the Grassmarket, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and a range of restaurants are within walking distance. Its worth checking whats open and most restaurants and bars will be taking bookings at this time.

If you really want to immerse yourself in all the hotel has to offer, the treat me like Im f*****g famous package is ideal. Designed to include additions that would feature on riders of the rich and famous, the package includes unlimited prosecco, millionaire cocktails, a macaron platter, late checkout and an upgraded breakfast no request is too rocknroll here. The hotel has partnered with an Italian winery to bottle a House of Gods prosecco, which is available on request.

A novel and hedonistic nirvana in Edinburghs city centre, where more is always more. Custom built to pique your curiosity and immerse you in a world of luxury thats usually reserved for the worshipped.

Rooms from 80-150 per room, House of Gods, 139 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JS (0131-230 0445, houseofgodshotel.com)

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Scotland on Sunday Travel - House of Gods, Edinburgh - The Scotsman