The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa looks straight out over Edinburgh Castle from Festival Square in the West End, five minutes from the Princes Street shops. It is best known for One Spa, one of the largest and most complete spa complexes of any hotel in the city, and the indoor pool that comes with it is free for guests — which is what earns the Sheraton a place on this list.
Rooms are luxurious and fully accessible by lift, with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, 24-hour room service and en suites that pair a separate bath with a walk-in shower. Rates start from around £200 a night, which for a five-star hotel with this spa attached is reasonable.
Pool & One Spa
Guests get complimentary use of the indoor swimming pool, gym and fitness studios at One Spa. Above that sits the recently renovated Thermal Suite and rooftop Hydropool, marketed as Escape at One, where you can soak outdoors with the castle in view. The rooftop experience and its spa and beauty treatments are booked as an add-on rather than included, so budget for it separately if it is the reason you are coming.
Location & Nearby
Festival Square puts you in the West End business and entertainment district, a five-minute walk from Princes Street and within easy reach of the Usher Hall and Lyceum Theatre. It is also about a twenty-minute walk to Dean Village, the picture-postcard corner on the Water of Leith that is one of the most photographed spots in Edinburgh.
Rooms & Dining
The One Square Bar + Brasserie serves a modern Scottish menu and runs a gin tasting experience if you fancy something more of an occasion. With 24-hour room service on top, the hotel covers most needs in-house, though the West End has plenty of restaurants a short walk away. Rooms are among the most spacious in this guide, which suits guests who want the spa day to continue back in the room.
Who It Suits & Practical Tips
Choose the Sheraton if the spa is the point of the trip rather than an afterthought — nothing else in Edinburgh matches One Spa for scale. It suits couples and spa-goers more than families. If you would rather be in the Old Town with a pool, the Radisson Blu on the Royal Mile is the closest equivalent, and for a cheaper family swim see the Village Hotel.
- Pool, gym and fitness studios at One Spa are included for guests
- The rooftop Hydropool and Thermal Suite (Escape at One) cost extra — book ahead
- Private parking is £15 per day
- Ask for a castle-facing room when you book — the view is the whole point
- It is a 20-minute walk to Dean Village for photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the pool at the Sheraton Grand free for guests?
Yes. The indoor pool, gym and fitness studios at One Spa are included for hotel guests. Only the rooftop Hydropool and Thermal Suite (Escape at One) and spa treatments cost extra.
What is Escape at One?
It is the Sheraton’s rooftop experience — a Thermal Suite and outdoor Hydropool with views towards the castle, booked as an add-on to your stay alongside spa and beauty treatments.
Is the Sheraton Grand good for families?
It works, but it is spa-led and suits couples more than young families. For a family swim, the Village Hotel’s 20-metre pool and jacuzzi is a better and cheaper fit.