TIGERLILY is probably better known for its flashy bar than for its hotel upstairs, but this could be just the ticket if you are looking for a really hip place to stay. Situated towards the western end of Edinburgh's George Street, it's in a great ar
ea for taking in the capital's nightlife, galleries and shopping. There are only a handful of rooms, each one having been individually designed with the same attention to detail employed in its stylish bar.
How do I get there? It takes about five minutes by taxi from either Waverley and Haymarket stations. Bringing your own car is not a good idea, as many of the roads in the area are being dug up in preparation for Edinburgh's new tram system – parking nearby is also hard to come by and expensive.
Bed test The rooms are large and spacious with all mod cons – from remote-controlled fireplaces to wall-mounted plasma televisions and lots of mood lighting. And while you may be partial to your own sleeping space, here an exception could be made – the bed in our room could have accommodated four people, all tucked in with luxury linen and a wonderfully plump duvet that I wanted to take home.
What's the food like? Tigerlily's restaurant and bar are set in a labyrinth of alcoves done out in different styles – ranging from a glittery, chandeliered main bar to the darker, more secluded dining booths.
Breakfast isn't limited to a traditional Scottish fry-up, the pancakes with jam and cream turning out to be a personal favourite – and they serve until noon, so you don't have to rise at the crack of dawn after a night on the tiles. For dinner, there is a good selection of starters from both land and sea, as well as bigger, sharing platters. The place gets jammed at night, though, so it's advisable to book ahead.
Drawbacks The hotel is certainly a victim of the bar's success. At weekends, you can hear the hubbub of those partying downstairs and out at the smoking area. During my stay, the fire alarm went off at 1am after a drinker bumped into it.
Little extras An iPod stocked with a diverse music selection and a good speaker system ensures that you can have a party of your own if you want to (although I'm not sure the other guests would thank you). The room also has a collection of coffee-table books to browse, as well as a selection of DVDs.
The bottom line A luxury double room, with breakfast, costs from £125 per night. Suites range from £245 to £345 a night, including breakfast.
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