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Edinburgh's best hotels for celebrating Hogmanay 2018

With plenty of music, dancing and magnificent firework displays, New Year's in Edinburgh is an event to be remembered. - George Clerk www.georgeclerk.com
With plenty of music, dancing and magnificent firework displays, New Year's in Edinburgh is an event to be remembered. - George Clerk www.georgeclerk.com

Hogmanay, the Scottish word for celebrating New Year, is usually a three-day festival of revelry that gets underway on December 31. We've rounded up the best hotels for celebrating Hogmanay in Edinburgh, including the top places to stay for Scottish New Year's balls, reeling ceilidhs, sumptuous banquets, unbeatable views of the firework displays, proximity to the Hogmanay Street Party, and for taking part in the traditional Loony Dook dip in the Firth of Forth.

Principal Edinburgh George Street

The elegant Principal George Street hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the city, with a prime position on one of Edinburgh's best shopping streets. It has a beautiful Georgian ballroom which will be used to glamorous effect for their Gala Ball on New Year's Eve, complete with piper, pre-dinner drinks, a four-course dinner and dancing until the wee small hours of the morning. A three-night Hogmanay package includes an upgrade to a Superior room, breakfast, a glass of champagne and two special extras: a £20 shopping gift card at Jenners department store and the luxury of late check-out. Double rooms from £479 per night.

Read the full review: Principal Edinburgh George Street

principal edinburgh george street
Principal George Street hotel is one of the oldest hotels in the city

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The Glasshouse

Ring in the New Year from the rooftop at the Glasshouse Hotel. A three-night package starts with a welcoming mug of hot chocolate followed by live music in the Snug Bar and a three-course dinner. On New Year's Eve there will be a champagne reception and five-course dinner (with wine pairing) followed by a ceilidh in the Calton Suite, located in the two-acre rooftop garden. If you can tear yourself away from the party, there are great views of the fireworks from nearby Calton Hill. An extended breakfast on New Year's Day is followed by a buffet dinner in the evening. Rates from £2,250 for two.

Read the full review: The Glasshouse

glasshouse edinburgh
Ring in the New Year from the The Glasshouse

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Prestonfield House

For those who want something a little more secluded, the outrageously opulent Prestonfield House hotel is offering a three-night New Year's stay for two, including champagne and breakfast, for £425 per night. Pack the black tie and tartan (and maybe the glass slippers, too) for the Hogmanay Ball, where after a champagne reception and four-course dinner you will be entertained by a ceilidh band in the hours leading up to midnight and a disco beyond. Tickets for the ball are £125 per person.

Read the full review: Prestonfield House

prestonfield house, edinburgh
The outrageously opulent Prestonfield House hotel is offering a three-night New Year's package

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Radisson Collection Royal Mile Edinburgh

Stroll up the Royal Mile to watch the fireworks or, if the crowds or the weather get too much, get in early and book Room 507 for a grandstand view across the city. You're also at the start of the torchlight procession and a few steps away from the candlelit concert at St Giles Cathedral. For Hogmanay you can stay for £543 in a standard double room, including a full Scottish breakfast.

Read the full review: Radisson Collection Royal Mile Edinburgh

g&v edinburgh - Credit: www.gerryoleary.com
Radisson Collection Royal Mile Edinburgh is a short stroll from the Royal Mile and candlelit concert at St Giles Cathedral Credit: www.gerryoleary.com

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The Balmoral

It's a glamorous, glistening, all-gold holiday season at the Balmoral this year, with a stirring start to Hogmanay celebrations from the Royal Burgh of Stirling pipes and drums. There will be a champagne and canapé reception, followed by a four-course dinner (with selected wines), created by executive chef Jeff Bland from the hotel's Michelin-starred Number One restaurant. Then there's the Gala Ball where a ceilidh band will ensure everyone is reeling – and that's before the fireworks begin. Hogmanay Ball accommodation packages start at £910 per person for a two-night stay in a classic room, including breakfast and the ball.

Read the full review: The Balmoral

balmoral hotel edinburgh - Credit: The Balmoral
Hogmanay is bound to go with a swing at the Balmoral Hotel Credit: The Balmoral

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Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa

Roll up for a Hogmanay Circus at the Sheraton Grand, which will be hosting a New Year's Eve ball with a difference. There will be live jazz, magic tricks and acrobatics, kicking off with champagne and canapés while you mingle with the performers, followed by a five-course dinner with circus acts between courses. Step out into Festival Square to watch the fireworks, followed by dancing. Tickets for the Hogmanay Ball cost £240 per person; a three-night stay (minimum) in a double room costs from £360 a night, including breakfast.

Read the full review: Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa

sheraton grand hotel, edinburgh
The Sheraton Grand will be hosting live jazz, magic tricks and acrobatics, followed by a five-course dinner with circus acts between courses

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Old Waverley Hotel

This hotel is a little more modest than some others in the centre of Edinburgh, but it does boast a first-class view of the street party and castle. The Old Waverley also serves a celebratory five-course Hogmanay dinner, with places going for £75 per person. It's on from 7pm until 9pm, which means you can enjoy your meal and be right on hand to join the famous street party afterwards (tickets cost £31 per person; edinburghshogmanay.com). A double room with breakfast for three nights during the Hogmanay period is priced from £314 per night.

Read the full review: Old Waverley Hotel

old waverley hotel, edinburgh
The Old Waverley Hotel boasts a first-class view of the street party and castle

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Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian

This glamorous grand duchess of Edinburgh hotels dominating the West End of Princes Street, is a great vantage point for all the New Year's Eve madness. Glittering Peacock Alley, displaying all its festive finery, is the venue for the Caledonian's Hogmanay Ball, promised to be strictly traditional Scottish affair with ceilidh dancing, a four-course dinner and midnight stovies and champagne. A two-night stay, including a full Scottish breakfast and entrance to the Hogmanay ball, starts at £1,928 for two.

Read the full review: Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh - The Caledonian

waldorf astoria hotel, edinburgh
The Walforf Astoria - The Caledonian is a great vantage point for all the New Year’s Eve madness

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2 Cambridge Street Edinburgh

Not a fan of big hotels? Things are still bound to go with a bang (every guest is given edible dynamite on arrival) at this hugely characterful bed and breakfast that feels out of the madding crowd but is actually right behind the castle. It's a five-minute walk to the street party; two minutes to the Ceilidh Under the Castle. And if you really don't want to leave your cosy hideaway, you can watch the fireworks exploding overhead from the doorstep before retiring for the night in anticipation of a fabulous New Year's Day breakfast. Double room with breakfast from £160 per night.

Read the full review: 2 Cambridge Street Edinburgh

2 cambridge street, edinburgh
You can watch the fireworks exploding overhead from the doorstep at 2 Cambridge Street

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Orocco Pier

Consider positioning yourself in nearby South Queensferry for the traditional New Year's Day 'Loony Dook' – a swift dip in the freezing Firth of Forth. The Orocco Pier Hotel is offering a two-night New Year package, which begins with a bottle of champagne and box of chocolates on arrival. It also includes two tickets to the black tie Hogmanay Bash – including champagne reception, four-course dinner, dancing and fireworks. New Year's Day brings brunch and a three-course dinner in the Samphire restaurant. You'll also get a full Scottish breakfast before departure. Rates start at £620 for two staying in a classic room.

Read the full review: Orocco Pier

orocco pier, edinburgh, scotland
Consider positioning yourself at Orocco Pier for the traditional New Year’s Day ‘Loony Dook’

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