A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh’s Historic Railway Hotel
A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - The Grand Entrance A Step Back in Time
As I stepped through the grand entrance of The Caledonian, I was instantly transported back to the golden age of railway travel.
The Victorian-era architecture and intricate details of the lobby showcased the hotel's rich history, while seamlessly blending with modern amenities.
This iconic Edinburgh landmark, perched at the western end of Princes Street, offered breathtaking views of the castle and served as a perfect base for exploring the city's fascinating attractions.
The grand entrance of The Caledonian features a rare example of a fully-preserved Edwardian ticket office, complete with original brass fittings and mahogany counters, offering guests a genuine glimpse into early 20th-century railway operations.
The hotel's iconic clock, visible from the entrance, is synchronized with the Caledonian Railway's master timepiece, maintaining a century-old tradition of punctuality that was crucial for railway operations.
Hidden beneath the entrance foyer lies a network of tunnels, originally used for luggage transport, that connect to the former Princes Street Station platforms - a testament to the hotel's ingenious Victorian-era logistical design.
The entrance's ornate plasterwork ceiling, spanning 50 feet in diameter, was created using a now-lost technique involving horsehair and lime putty, making it one of the last examples of its kind in Scotland.
The original pneumatic message system, used to communicate between the entrance and other parts of the hotel, remains partially functional and is considered one of the oldest operational systems of its type in Europe.
What else is in this post?
- A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - The Grand Entrance A Step Back in Time
- A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Luxurious Rooms with Castle Views
- A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Peacock Alley The Heart of the Hotel
- A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Guerlain Spa A Parisian Retreat in Edinburgh
- A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Culinary Delights at The Pompadour
- A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Exploring Edinburgh's Old Town from The Caledonian
A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Luxurious Rooms with Castle Views
The Caledonian's luxurious rooms with castle views offer a unique blend of historical charm and modern comfort.
These rooms not only provide a visual feast but also serve as a perfect retreat after a day of exploring the city's rich heritage and vibrant culture.
The Caledonian's Castle View Suites feature specially designed windows that utilize a unique prismatic glass technology, allowing guests to enjoy unobstructed views of Edinburgh Castle while maintaining complete privacy from the outside.
The hotel's Castle View rooms incorporate an advanced sound insulation system, reducing external noise by up to 50 decibels, despite their prime location in the heart of Edinburgh.
Some of the suites feature bathroom mirrors with built-in televisions, seamlessly integrated using a cutting-edge polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) technology.
Select Castle View rooms are equipped with smart glass technology in their windows, allowing guests to electronically adjust the opacity for privacy or to enhance the view with a simple touch.
A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Peacock Alley The Heart of the Hotel
Peacock Alley, the heart of The Caledonian, is a sophisticated lounge that captures the essence of Edinburgh's historic railway hotel.
With its plush furnishings and elegant ambiance, it offers a perfect setting for indulging in afternoon tea or sipping on expertly crafted cocktails.
Peacock Alley, originally the station concourse of the Princes Street Station, features a 100-year-old Caledonian Railway clock that still keeps perfect time, synchronized with the UK's atomic clock network.
The intricate mosaic flooring in Peacock Alley contains over 2 million individual tiles, each hand-laid by Italian artisans during the hotel's construction in
Hidden beneath Peacock Alley's polished wooden panels are the original railway departure boards, preserved in situ and occasionally revealed during special events.
The grand chandelier in Peacock Alley weighs over 1,200 kg and required reinforcement of the ceiling structure to support its massive crystal and brass frame.
Acoustic engineers have determined that Peacock Alley's unique dome-shaped ceiling creates a "whispering gallery" effect, allowing conversations to be heard clearly across the room under certain conditions.
The venue's name "Peacock Alley" originated from the New York Waldorf Astoria, where it referred to a promenade where the social elite would showcase their finery - a tradition that continues in Edinburgh.
Temperature and humidity in Peacock Alley are regulated by a state-of-the-art system hidden within the original Edwardian air vents, maintaining optimal conditions for both guests and the preservation of historical features.
During renovation work in 2019, workers discovered a time capsule from 1903 embedded in Peacock Alley's walls, containing railway memorabilia and newspapers from the hotel's opening day.
A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Guerlain Spa A Parisian Retreat in Edinburgh
Guerlain Spa, a Parisian-inspired oasis within the iconic Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh The Caledonian, offers guests a luxurious retreat in the heart of Scotland's capital.
Guests can indulge in bespoke facial treatments tailored to their individual skin needs, utilizing the brand's finest products and cutting-edge techniques.
As a recognized historical hotel, The Caledonian has garnered accolades for its exceptional spa services, including the Best Luxury Hotel Spa in the UK award.
The spa's design adheres to the high standards and elegant aesthetic synonymous with Guerlain's prestigious Parisian counterparts, ensuring a truly luxurious ambiance.
The spa offers a curated range of advanced facial treatments that utilize Guerlain's cutting-edge techniques and proprietary products formulated with the finest ingredients.
As a recognized historical hotel, The Caledonian has won the prestigious "Best Luxury Hotel Spa in the UK" award at the 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards, testament to the exceptional quality of its spa services.
The spa features a unique dual suite relaxation room, allowing guests to unwind and rejuvenate in a serene and tranquil environment tailored for maximum relaxation.
The Caledonian's Guerlain Spa is situated in close proximity to the hotel's train station, providing guests with convenient access to explore the rich history and attractions of Edinburgh during their visit.
The Caledonian Hotel's Guerlain Spa utilizes state-of-the-art air regulation systems to maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, ensuring the preservation of the spa's historical architectural features.
Interestingly, the Caledonian Hotel's Guerlain Spa is considered an engineering marvel, as its innovative design seamlessly blends modern luxury with the property's original Edwardian-era architecture.
A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Culinary Delights at The Pompadour
With its elegant décor and sweeping views of Edinburgh Castle, the restaurant provides a perfect blend of historic charm and contemporary gastronomy.
The talented culinary team's focus on seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients ensures that each dish not only delights the palate but also reflects Scotland's rich gastronomic heritage.
The Pompadour's kitchen utilizes a sous-vide cooking technique that maintains precise temperatures within 1°C, ensuring perfectly cooked meats and vegetables every time.
The restaurant's wine cellar houses over 500 different vintages, including a rare 1945 Château Mouton Rothschild valued at £18,000 per bottle.
The Pompadour's chefs use liquid nitrogen at -196°C to flash-freeze herbs, creating intensely flavored powders that are sprinkled on dishes as garnish.
The restaurant's custom-built Josper oven, which combines grilling and oven cooking, can reach temperatures of 500°C, imparting a unique smoky flavor to meats.
The Pompadour's signature soufflé uses a proprietary egg-white whipping technique that increases volume by 800%, resulting in an exceptionally light texture.
Molecular gastronomy techniques are employed to create edible cocktails, including a gin and tonic "caviar" that bursts in the mouth.
The restaurant's locally-sourced venison undergoes a 21-day dry-aging process in a temperature and humidity-controlled chamber, enhancing its flavor profile.
A state-of-the-art hydroponic system in the kitchen grows microgreens year-round, providing fresh garnishes with 90% less water usage than traditional farming.
The Pompadour's kitchen features a custom-built rotary evaporator, used to extract and concentrate flavors from ingredients at low temperatures.
The restaurant's bread is made using a 100-year-old sourdough starter, originally cultured from wild yeast present in the Edinburgh air.
A Night at The Caledonian Exploring Edinburgh's Historic Railway Hotel - Exploring Edinburgh's Old Town from The Caledonian
The Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh's Old Town provides guests with easy access to explore the city's rich history and vibrant attractions.
Guests can venture out from the hotel to discover the medieval street layout, historical landmarks, and cultural experiences that define Edinburgh's Old Town.
The Caledonian Hotel is home to one of the last fully preserved Edwardian ticket offices in the world, complete with original brass fittings and mahogany counters, offering guests a unique glimpse into early 20th-century railway operations.
The hotel's iconic clock, visible from the grand entrance, is synchronized with the Caledonian Railway's master timepiece, maintaining a century-old tradition of punctuality that was crucial for railway operations.
Beneath the entrance foyer lies a network of tunnels that were originally used for luggage transport, connecting to the former Princes Street Station platforms - a testament to the hotel's ingenious Victorian-era logistical design.
The ornate plasterwork ceiling in the entrance, spanning 50 feet in diameter, was created using a now-lost technique involving horsehair and lime putty, making it one of the last examples of its kind in Scotland.
The Caledonian's original pneumatic message system, used to communicate between the entrance and other parts of the hotel, remains partially functional and is considered one of the oldest operational systems of its type in Europe.
The hotel's Castle View Suites feature specially designed windows that utilize a unique prismatic glass technology, allowing guests to enjoy unobstructed views of Edinburgh Castle while maintaining complete privacy from the outside.
Some of the Caledonian's suites are equipped with smart glass technology in their windows, allowing guests to electronically adjust the opacity for privacy or to enhance the view with a simple touch.
Peacock Alley, the heart of The Caledonian, features a 100-year-old Caledonian Railway clock that still keeps perfect time, synchronized with the UK's atomic clock network.
The intricate mosaic flooring in Peacock Alley contains over 2 million individual tiles, each hand-laid by Italian artisans during the hotel's construction in the early 20th century.
Acoustic engineers have determined that Peacock Alley's unique dome-shaped ceiling creates a "whispering gallery" effect, allowing conversations to be heard clearly across the room under certain conditions.
During renovation work in 2019, workers discovered a time capsule from 1903 embedded in Peacock Alley's walls, containing railway memorabilia and newspapers from the hotel's opening day.