Edinburgh is known the world over for its incredible landmarks. Practically every building, bridge, sculpture, and fountain has its own remarkable story. It is fair to say these sites are true monuments to the past, having witnessed unique events involving figures straight from the pages of encyclopaedias. More at edinburgh1.one.
When speaking of the Scottish capital, it is important to mention another point. The city’s architecture seems to be a character in its own right, not just of its past but of its present too. Most of the old buildings have successfully carried the spirit of history into the modern day, while new structures harmonise beautifully with their older neighbours. It is interesting that among this rich variety, one can find all sorts of different buildings, with hotels holding a place of honour.
The Caledonian Edinburgh is a prime example. It is not just one of the city’s landmarks; it also has a fascinating history of its own.
How It All Began
Remarkably, the hotel was built between 1899 and 1903. At the time, it was conceived as part of the Princes Street Station for The Caledonian Railway company.
The structure was built on the site of the old wooden station building, which had been damaged by fire in 1890.
The new Caledonian Station Hotel boasted 205 rooms, decorated in the Louis XV style. It is not difficult to guess that the interiors were luxurious. This included magnificent arches and a beautiful facade. In fact, the facade has been considered an Edinburgh landmark throughout the hotel’s history.
Mergers and Subsequent Refurbishments
The hotel officially opened in December 1903. It almost immediately became the main rival to The North British Station Hotel, which had opened its doors a year earlier.
The hotel’s name was later shortened to The Caledonian Hotel. In 1923, The Caledonian Railway merged with The London, Midland and Scottish Railway. This event had an impact on the hotel’s future, as it led to a period of renovation.
This all ultimately led to the hotel’s nationalisation in 1948.
Expansion and Additional Rooms
Then, at the beginning of September 1965, Princes Street Station was closed. What’s more, by 1970, it had been completely demolished. This freed up a significant plot of land, and the decision was made to expand the hotel by adding another 50 rooms.
Among the original features, the old station clock is perhaps worth mentioning. As for the hotel’s management, this was handled by the British Transport Hotels company. This continued until the company was wound up as part of Margaret Thatcher’s privatisation initiative.
In June 1981, a stake was acquired by Gleneagles Hotels. The remaining shares were sold in 1984. At that time, the hotel was purchased by Norfolk Capital Hotels, which then sold it to Queens Moat Houses in 1990.
Renaming and Further Renovation
March 2000 marked the year The Caledonian Hotel was acquired by Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. It was then that the hotel was given a new name: The Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh.
In 2011, a large-scale renovation was carried out, allowing the hotel to join Hilton’s luxury flagship brand, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. This, in turn, led to another name change: Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.
All for the Comfort of Guests
It is easy to imagine that colossal sums were invested in the hotel. Thanks to this, many new features were added to make guests’ stays as comfortable as possible. This included a spa, improved public spaces, the creation of a bar area, and so on.
A New Owner and More Changes
In January 2018, the hotel was sold again, this time to a company called Twenty14 Holdings. Interestingly, however, Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. continued to manage the hotel’s actual operations.
The new owner later announced plans to renovate the hotel and once again increase the number of rooms.
Then, in the summer of 2023, the international real estate private equity firm Henderson Park bought the hotel. At the end of March 2024, it was announced that the hotel was scheduled to be renamed that same summer. Thus, the name The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton came into being.
The plans also included an expansion phase that will increase the number of rooms to 300 by the beginning of 2026.
Therefore, The Caledonian Edinburgh is not just one of the city’s oldest hotels; it is a truly historic place that has witnessed many important events. This is to say nothing of the fact that the hotel itself has undergone a great deal. As a result, it has only become better and more interesting. One must admit, a building with a past captures the imagination far more than a brand-new structure. This is especially true when its original grandeur has not only been preserved but enhanced with modern touches, all in perfect harmony with its overall style.