Snow, sparkles and sipping mulled wine in a festive market, is there a more magical time of year than Christmas time? We caught up one of the Memory Makers at Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh, to find out just how incredible it is to celebrate the festive season at the hotel. Whether you're looking for a traditional Christmas celebration surrounded by friends and family or an authentic Scottish Hogmanay bringing in the New Year in style, the team at Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh are on hand to help you create a truly unforgettable trip.
Here we explore everything that the hotel has to offer as well as the local attractions that make Edinburgh so special.
Enter a festive wonderland at Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh
The team at Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh pride themselves on creating a magical, festive atmosphere for all guests to enjoy. The traditional decorations transform the whole hotel into a winter wonderland including a beautifully dressed tree that stands proudly in the lobby. Children visiting the hotel for Christmas Day lunch can look forward to a very special visitor as Santa Claus himself is a huge fan of the hotel and has been known to stop by!
Baby it's cold outside…
Staying inside and keeping warm has never looked so tempting, and the incredible Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh has everything you need to celebrate in style, so much so that you might not want to leave the hotel… A trip to One Spa is the perfect way to relax after the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping. One of our favourite parts of the spa is the warm water rooftop Hydropool which is the ideal place to unwind on a crisp Winter's day.
If your idea of relaxing involves a tasty beverage, then head to One Square Bar which boasts more than 100 different gins including its very own One Square Gin made by Pickering's at Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh – a must for the gin aficionado!
Exploring Edinburgh
If you do decide to stretch your legs and explore the city, then make sure you pack your comfiest shoes because there is just so much to see… Edinburgh Castle is a must for any traveller - visit in the evening to see the festive light show: Castle of Light. After a two year break, the Edinburgh Christmas Markets are set to be bigger and better than ever before - thousands of visitors travel to the iconic markets that are spread across three locations in the city. The ice rink will be situated at George Street alongside a selection of bars and stalls, whilst West Princes Street Gardens will host market stalls, fairground rides and a bar, but the largest market is at East Prices Street Garden with over 62 market stalls and a fair ground including a big wheel and double carousel – fun for all the family!
Celebrate Hogmanay in style
Seen as the most important festival in the Scottish calendar, Hogmanay is quite the spectacle! Tourists and locals party side by side across the city to bring in the New Year as one big street party. Festivities start on 30th December with a torch light procession through the city, whilst 31st December is the day of the street celebrations, concerts, and of course, amazing fireworks at the strike of midnight. 1st January then sees brave revellers take part in the ‘Loony Dook' by going for a morning dunk in the river…!
We recommend spending Hogmanay or New Year's Eve in the One Square. Experience a beautiful, five-course meal with champagne on arrival whilst enjoying the incredible views of Edinburgh Castle – and the fireworks! The entertainment from our live band lets you celebrate in style.
From its enchanting festive décor to the rooftop hydro pool, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh has everything you could dream of for the perfect festive mini break and more… Our incredible teams prioritise your needs to ensure that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the festivities like you never have before.