Guest Directory

grassmarket

Welcome to The Grassmarket Hotel, it’s great to have you here. Now that you are settled, we bet you can’t wait to get out there and start your adventure- so on that note, we will keep it brief.

To help you get the most out of your stay with us, you’ll find everything you need in this handy little A-Z guide from us. From “B” for brekkie (the most important meal of the day) to “M” for mood setting music, just flip the page, it’s all here.

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Staying Safely

Brian Hutchison

A Message From Brian Hutchison, Operations Director For G1 Group

Life as we know it has changed considerably over the last few months, with everyone from all walks of life being impacted by COVID-19. We have been working to use our time as productively as possible, to ensure that we can welcome you back to a safe and comfortable environment, with even more enhanced safety and cleaning protocols in place than before.

With Government advice changing regularly, The Grassmarket Hotel and its parent company remain committed to not only operating within the realms of Government issued advice, but also our own policies which far exceed official guidance. We are people first, hoteliers second, and the wellbeing of our guests and our team members are our number one priority today and every day.

We have also been also looking at what our visitors will want from us as we move forward, and whilst you can absolutely expect the same warm welcome as below, here are some of the enhanced healthy & safety measures which we have implemented:

  • We have invested heavily in the very latest Electrostatic Cleaning Equipment, which combines a specialised solution with air and is then atomized to produce positively charged particles to coat and completely disinfect the surfaces on which its used, creating a clinical grade level of sanitation. As well as being used in our bedrooms.r
  • All employees have undertaken tailor made training which cover new cleaning protocols and a variety of best practice methods. Staff are also temperature checked at the beginning of each shift, and have full PPE which will be worn in line with the appropriateness for their role.
  • Servicing of rooms will now be on an opt in basis, which our reception team will be glad to discuss with you upon check in. Should you wish us to refrain from servicing your room, please be assured that amenities such as tea, coffee, fresh towels etc can still be delivered to your room.
  • Social distancing will be observed in all areas of the hotel, with traffic management systems in place and a variety of signage around the hotel to ensure your journey as a customer is as smooth as possible.
  • You may be encouraged to use the stairs and not the lift unless you are hauling some sizable luggage (we’ve all been there!)
  • There are a variety of sanitising stations located throughout the hotel for your comfort and wellbeing.
  • Full breakfast menu with be served in our sister venue Biddy Mulligans from 9AM daily. The perfect way to start the day. Our reception team will discuss this with you upon check in, ensuring you wake up wonderful with us

The History of Hogmanay

hogmanay

Edinburgh’s famous New Year Eve celebrations started out as an informal street party at the Tron Kirk Church in the High Street of the Old Town. Since 1993, it has been officially organised with the focus moved to Princes Street. In 1996, over 300,000 people attended, leading to ticketing of the main street party in later years up to a limit of 100,000 tickets.

The Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party is among the largest New Year’s Eve gatherings in the world. In 1996–97 we were recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest New Year party, with approximately 400,000 people in attendance.

This year’s iconic get-together will feature live music from Marc Ronson as well as a street party hosted by Johnnie Walker. As always, the Torchlight Procession will blaze through the city on the 30th of December. Accompanied by pipers and drummers, fire and fanfare and forge a river of light through the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, this is an unforgettable family-friendly event.

Book your stay for New Year direct with us and save up to 15% with code WEB5 off our best available rates. Book directly through our website and receive a complimentary bottle of Prosecco!

Who Makes the Soap?

soap

Ever wondered who makes the soap in your hotel bathroom?

At the Grassmarket Hotel, we think you’ll be inspired by the people behind The Soap Co

We have recently partnered with an amazing social enterprise that makes the beautiful bath and beauty products in your bathrooms.

Yet The Soap Co. is no ordinary soap manufacturer; of its 110 employees, 80% have a disability or long-term health condition. Its hand crafted, eco-ethical products are made in small batches and are award-winning, as you would expect when you stay at one of our hotels.

And the people who make The Soap Co. are as exceptional as the products themselves, like Trudy. She’s been working at the social enterprise for 31 years, joining straight from school. “If I didn’t have my job I would be at home in bed, depressed,” says Trudy. “I would be lacking my independence. If I wasn’t working here, I wouldn’t have learnt anything. I would probably never have been employed.”

Trudy suffers from epilepsy, diabetes and has mild learning difficulties but really loves her work and the family atmosphere at The Soap Co.’s semi-automated factory site in London’s East End. “It’s really like being at home, working with family.”

We’d also like you to meet Ozzie, one of the many true characters here who heads up the Social Committee. A lifelong Spurs supporter, he joined the social enterprise in 1992 and is registered blind. “I just woke up one morning and my sight was gone,” explains Ozzie. “I had to learn quickly and train hard to work as a blind person. Before I went blind, I used to work in a ladies’ shoe factory making shoes. Today, I am an assistant team leader – responsible for managing, training and supporting a team of up to 10 staff who craft and quality control our soap bars, making sure they are ready for packaging and sale.

“Working at The Soap Co. has given me my independence. Without my job I simply couldn’t support my wife and children.”

Please do watch our Time to Rethink Blindness video:

Remember, every time you use The Soap Co. you are helping create work for people with disabilities and helping us to close the disability employment gap.

For all business enquiries please contact b2b@thesoapco.org

Christmas In Edinburgh

festive

If there is one thing we do well in Edinburgh it’s Festivals; from the Festival Fringe, our summer festivals, Hogmanay or Christmas we know how to throw a party and in 2017 our Princes Street Gardens, Christmas Market was named as the best in UK! This year is already shaping up to outdo its self again in one of Edinburgh’s most memorable Christmas festivals.

Edinburgh explodes in a festive frenzy there is so much to see and do across St Andrew Square, East Princes St Gardens and George Street as hot toddies & mulled wine pervade the air, ridiculous Christmas jumpers are worn and diets go out of the window! So, we put together a list of things to help guide you to our favourite things to see & do.

CHRISTMAS MARKET – EAST PRINCES STREET GARDENS

A true winter wonderland packed with tasty treats and delicious European foods along with beautiful handmade crafts you won’t struggle to fill your belly or a loved ones stocking! The traditional and romantic market wouldn’t be complete without an abundance of mulled wine, hot toddies (definitely try the apple gin toddy!) and festive music making it a great location for all.

CHRISTMAS MARKET – GEORGE STREET

The Christmas markets don’t stop on Princes Street Gardens and you won’t need Rudolf to guide you! Head over and see the dazzling lights and thrill yourself with rides for all the family on George street.

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The Scotsman Picturehouse

cinema

Say Hello To The Scotsman Picturehouse

Now Taking Bookings!

A luxury take on a big screen experience, expect 48 sumptuous leather armchair seats, nestled between individual tables and classic empire lamps. All seats benefit from their own power and USB points, and the screen benefits from a claret soft deep pile carpet throughout. This truly remarkable place can be found tucked away deep beneath Edinburgh’s famous Scotsman Hotel which straddles the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, and is just a hop skip and a jump away from our own hotel.

A robust and eclectic film schedule includes a whole range of genres, offered across several session packages. For a selection of screenings, paired menu packages are also available in the cinema’s sister venue The Grand Café, which is housed in the same iconic building. Diners can enjoy the Brunch & The Big Screen package for some mid-morning magic, or make a night of it with a classic Dinner & A Movie option.

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Say Hello to The Soap Co.

soap

Here at The Grassmarket, we want to give you products that make you feel great inside and out. That’s why we are delighted to announce that we now exclusively offer our guests luxury The Soap Co. products in our bathrooms. Expertly crafted in small batches, this multi award winning brand is vegan and 100% cruelty free. But that’s not all – The Soap Co. is a social enterprise, which means they provide meaningful employment for people with disabilities all over the UK.

We are proud to partner with people like Olgun “Ozzie” Ibrahim, who has worked with the company for 22 years. He is one of 100 people who work for the company, 80% of whom are blind, disabled or otherwise disadvantaged.

If you love this brand as much as we do, we have a beautiful range of The Soap Co. products available at reception to purchase and enjoy at home whilst creating real social good. To find out more about The Soap Co. and the people who work for them, visit thesoapco.org

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Thousands of performers take to hundreds of stages all over Edinburgh this August to present shows for every taste for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. From big names in the world of entertainment to unknown artists looking to build their careers at the Fringe, the festival caters for everyone and includes theatre, comedy, dance, physical theatre, circus, cabaret, children’s shows, musicals, opera, music, spoken word, exhibitions and events.

The Fringe takes place all over the city. Shows play not only in established year-round venues such as the Traverse Theatre, Cabaret Voltaire and The Stand comedy club, but also in ad-hoc spaces in rooms above pubs, public parks and even moving vehicles. Some venues, such as the Assembly Rooms, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance and Underbelly, are big enough to constitute a festival in their own right, although the smaller, unexpected places often host gems to be discovered.

In addition to the weighty guide produced by the Fringe, detailing in excess of 30,000 performances of more than 2000 shows, many venues publish their own brochures. Others have established sub-festivals which also appear under the Fringe umbrella, such as The Edge, which brings together up-and-coming bands with major names, and the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, which promotes comedians appearing at the city’s larger venues.

You can now pre-order your copy of the Fringe Programme which is free, you just need to pay the posting and packaging and it will be dispatched to you clicking here. The digital edition will also be available on the official website www.edfringe.com

If you love comedy, dance, theatre, circus, cabaret and musicals The Grassmarket Hotel highly recommends you catch the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Our iconic property is located in the heard of all the Fringe actions so ideal for exploring the city. Book now to experience…

Re-Writing The Script…

The Scotsman Picturehouse

Curtains Up July 2019!

The Scotsman Picturehouse is coming soon, an exclusive & intimate experience which takes viewers back to a bygone era of cinematic opulence.

A robust film schedule will include a mixture of classic masterpieces, modern cult favourites, curated cultural content such as ballets, operas and more. For a selection of screenings, paired menu packages will be available in The Grand Café at The Scotsman.

The boutique theatre will also be available for exclusive hire and private use, making it perfect for truly stand out corporate events, weddings and more.

Find Out More

Say Hello to No.1 Apartments

no1 apartments

No.1 Apartments – Edinburgh

Located on George IV Bridge, with the Elephant Café, Greyfriar’s Bobby, The Royal Mile, Greyfriar’s Kirk and the National Museum of Scotland all just a few steps away. Our 1 and 2 bedroom apartments feature all the comfort and convenience you would expect from a hotel, with the privacy and freedom of short stay apartments.

Accommodating parties of 2-4 guests, our apartments come in a range of flexible layouts. With contemporary, muted décor sitting comfortably alongside luxuries finishes, our spaces are homely and welcoming – the perfect place to unwind after a long day of adventure.

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