Marriott International has received planning approval for a new 280-room Autograph Collection hotel in Edinburgh's Old Town, with a targeted opening date of Q3 2026.
The property will occupy a partially derelict Grade A-listed building on the Royal Mile, which has stood vacant since 2019. The £85 million development includes 280 bedrooms, a rooftop bar with views across to the Castle, two restaurants, a spa and 1,200 sq ft of meeting space.
Preservation at the Core
Historic Environment Scotland granted conditional consent after Marriott revised its original plans to preserve the building's original Georgian façade and internal stonework. The development has been welcomed by Edinburgh City Council as an example of sympathetic adaptive reuse.
Lead architect firm Hawkins Brown said the interior design will "celebrate the building's character" while delivering the full Autograph Collection experience. Bespoke artwork commissioned from Scottish artists will feature throughout.
The Restaurants
Details of the food and beverage offering remain limited, but The Mise understands Marriott is in discussions with two Scottish chefs — both of whom have held Michelin recognition — to lead the restaurant programme. Announcements are expected later this year.
The rooftop bar, provisionally named Balmoral View, is likely to become one of the city's most prominent hospitality venues given its position and outlook.
Edinburgh's Expanding Hotel Market
The announcement adds to a strong pipeline of hotel openings in Edinburgh over the coming 24 months. The city's hotel market has recovered strongly since the pandemic, with occupancy rates for 2024 running ahead of pre-pandemic levels, according to figures from STR.
"Edinburgh remains one of Europe's most compelling hotel markets," said Marriott's UK development director James Foley. "Demand is strong year-round, driven by both leisure and business travel, and the Old Town has been underserved by quality accommodation for years."
Construction is expected to begin in August, with practical completion targeted for June 2026.