ŠVisitScotland / Kenny Lam, all rights reserved
Issue 03
Winter 2019
Grand Times
Welcome to the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa For the fifth year running, Edinburgh has been voted the best city to visit in the UK in the 2018 Telegraph Travel Awards. It’s a city worth discovering at any time of the year and it has inspired writers and film makers for decades. In this issue, we give you a taste of famous Scots, the most inspiring spots and places you might recognize from the big screen. Whether visiting an iconic landmark or a homely café, Edinburgh is sure to inspire you too during your time here. We hope you have a fantastic stay with us and bask in all the city has to offer.
Tristan Nesbitt, General Manager
Soak your Senses
A hot bath has long been associated with having a little ME time. It helps to de-stress and improve overall mood and at this time of year it’s also a great way to warm up quickly after a day of sightseeing. We offer a full sensory bath experience, Soak Your Senses, a holistic experience from the comfort of your room. Combining light therapy with ESPA aromatic bath oils, there are six different baths to choose from to leave you feeling relaxed, energised, focussed, inspired, calm & centred or revived. For more information, please dial ‘0’ and speak to our guest services agent.
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Take a ‘wee’ seat SPG and Marriott Rewards Members get 15% off a la carte dining at One Square. T&Cs apply.
A welcoming brasserie located on level 2, One Square offers a modern Scottish take on drinking and dining. Open from early in the morning until the wee small hours, this is a place to enjoy local and seasonal produce in perfectly relaxed surroundings. Modern and seasonal, the One Square menu features an inventive range of Scottish favourites, with an ever-changing selection of signature dishes on offer. From prime ribeye steak and Atlantic hake to Shetland mussels, the focus is firmly on the finest Scottish ingredients, and we have forged links with local suppliers to ensure that our produce is fresh, traceable, and delicious.
When it comes to drinks, One Square is famed for its extensive selection of gin, with more than 100 different varieties available behind the bar, including our very own One Square Gin distilled by Pickering’s here in Edinburgh. Whether recommending local distillers such as Edinburgh Gin, Blackwoods and Caorunn, or singing the praises of classics such as Tanqueray 10, our expert bartenders are passionate about their craft. While gin is a house specialty, our wine list has also been expertly considered, not to mention our refreshingly varied selection of Scottish beer. See you in the Square, on level 2! GRAND TIMES MAGAZINE | 3
Edinburgh Inspires… In 2004 Edinburgh came to be the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature. For centuries, writers have been influenced by the capital’s stunning backdrop. To beat the winter chill, we have put together a list of snug cafés, bars and taverns which inspired many great writers and authors. Robert Burns
Burns’ night is celebrated across the country on 25th January to recognise the life and poetry of Robert Burns. Although not from Edinburgh, he lived in the city from 1786 – 1788. Edinburgh inspired three of his poems: Ae Fond Kiss, Willie’s Awe and On William Creech.
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We recommend: The White Hart Inn, Grassmarket Burns lodged here on his final visit to Edinburgh. The pub was established in 1516 and is one of the oldest in the city. During his stay here Burns bid farewell to his lover Nancy who influenced ‘Ae Fond Kiss’. Popular amongst tourist and locals, the public house boasts live music nights and real ales.
William Brodie
The inspiration for the infamous Jekyll and Hyde story. Brodie was a well-respected member of Edinburgh’s society and a member of the town council. However unknown to the people of the city, he led a double life. When night fell, he would gather his gang of burglars and rob local businesses and the gentry of Edinburgh. Brodie was hanged at Lawnmarket for his crimes in 1788. We recommend: Deacon Brodie’s Tavern, The Royal Mile Homage to William Brodie who was also known as Deacon Brodie. The large bar located on the corner of Lawnmarket (Brodie was hanged here in front of 40,000 people) is a tourist favourite. We advise to get a table by the window if you can and watch the world go by.
JK Rowling
JK Rowling ranks as the ninth bestselling author of all time. It is no surprise that she was inspired by Edinburgh when writing the seven Harry Potter books and notably wrote most of the books whilst living in Edinburgh. Hogwarts was based on George Heriot’s School and the graves within Greyfriars Kirkyard influenced the names of main characters such as Voldemort! JK Rowling wrote in many Edinburgh cafés and firmly believes the best place to write is at a café as you don’t have to make your own coffee. We recommend: The Elephant House, George IV Bridge This is the most famous out of the Harry Potter attractions in Edinburgh. The second and third books were written here and an interview with Rowling was recorded here when she started writing the third book. The super busy café serves a good range of food and coffee and the bathroom has become a place for Harry Potter graffiti, we advise to grab a coffee and leave a message on the famous bathroom wall. Other writers known to have written here are Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith. GRAND TIMES MAGAZINE | 5
Himalayan Salt Room arrives at One Spa One Spa is Scotland’s most renowned urban thermal spa experience and can be accessed via the bridge on level 5 of the hotel. Salt therapy has been practiced for over a century and it is becoming more popular due to its vast mental and physical wellbeing benefits. Renowned for improving breathing, promoting better skin and sounder sleep, and enhancing moods, it is no wonder this trend is taking the wellness world by storm. We are all guilty of spending our time fixed to a mobile phone, tablet or laptop which omit positive ions. Thankfully, the negative ions in the salt repel these positive ions, restoring balance and improving your overall wellbeing. Salt therapy is not widely available in Scotland which is why we are pleased to announce that we have now added a Himalayan Dry Salt Room to One Spa’s award winning facilities. 6 | SHERATON GRAND HOTEL AND SPA, EDINBURGH
For those wanting to escape, the new Dry Salt room offers heated reclined seating and a feature Himalayan Rock Salt wall with mood enhancing colour therapy backlighting. You can also release a fine mist of concentrated salt solution from the Alps at the touch of a button and intensify the benefits further. To complement the Dry Salt Room experience, we recommend an ESPA Full Body Salt & Oil Scrub. To enquire please dial ‘0’ and speak to our guest service agent.
Recommended Products If you would like to further extend the benefits of salt, we recommend the following ESPA products which are available to purchase at One Spa reception:
Offers: January Signature Spa Day includes: Warming Foot Ritual, personalised Back Massage, Facial & Scalp Massage and Escape at One*. £135 (Treatment Time 1hr 50 mins) February Revitalise Spa Day includes: Salt & Oil Scrub, Intensive Facial, Head Massage, Essential Back Massage and Escape at One*. £150 (Treatment Time 1hr 45 mins) March Revival Spa Day includes: Essential Body Massage, Intensive Facial and Escape at One*. £150 (Treatment Time 1hr 50 mins) T&C’s: *Escape at One provides full use of the Thermal Suite and Hydropool for the duration of 3 hours on top of treatment time. Offers are valid Monday – Friday only. Subject to availability. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Treatments and Escape at One must be used on the same day.
ESPA Invigorating Salt Scrub A reviving body scrub to help soften, smooth and refresh, for skin that is nourished, hydrated and intensely cooled. Natural Sea Salts sweep away dry, dull skin, Menthol and Lime cool and refresh, while Sweet Almond Oil nourishes and hydrates. 700g £38 ESPA Soothing Body Oil An aromatic body oil to help relax a busy mind. Sandalwood, Rose Geranium and Frankincense help unwind with their soothing and restful properties. Myrrh helps ease the mind, while Sweet Almond Oil deeply nourishes for beautifully supple skin. 100ml £34
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Lights, Camera, Action Explore Edinburgh’s iconic film set locations which are all within walking distance from the hotel, transport yourself into the scene of your favourite movie whilst admiring the breath-taking landscape.
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Edinburgh’s cobbled streets paired with beautiful architecture and a majestic atmosphere make it one of the hottest film destinations amongst producers and directors from around the globe. Its diversity and contrasting Old and New Towns make it popular as the set for romances, thrillers and historic series to name a few. Bakehouse Close & Tweeddale Court Filmed here: Outlander Season 3 Bakehouse Close & Tweeddale Court in Edinburgh’s Old Town are one of the best preserved examples of old Edinburgh with the archway dating back to 1570. In Outlander, this is the location of Jamie’s print shop that he runs under the alias of Alexander Malcolm. More importantly,
Princes Street Filmed here: Trainspotting Edinburgh’s most famous high street has been the setting for many blockbusters and documentaries, most notably the critically acclaimed film Trainspotting which is based upon a group of misfits from Edinburgh. If you want to reenergise, you can recreate Renton’s famous sprint along the east end of Princes Street and down Calton Road. Old Fishmarket Close Filmed here: Burke & Hare The Royal Mile is famed for its many closes and underground vaults. Steeped in history, it is said the walls could tell you a thing or two. Famous in their own right, Burke & Hare play a big part in Edinburgh history. From grave robbers to murderers, the pair committed over 16 murders over a period of 10 months. Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis put a spin on this piece of history turning it into a macabre comedy. The close features heavily throughout the film. We recommend to take a Mercat Tour, an experienced guide will walk you through the closes and vaults of Edinburgh whilst giving you the grisly details of what took place: www.mercattours.com
Bakehouse Close ©Film Edinburgh
it’s where Claire and Jamie reunite after all those years apart. This is just one of many Outlander film locations in and around Edinburgh. Head to www.filmedinburgh.org to find more.
Greyfriars Kirkyard Filmed here: The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby Edinburgh’s most beloved statue Skye Terrier, Greyfriars Bobby is located at the far end of George IV bridge. The story of Bobby was so compelling it was made into a film in 1961 and remade in 2005. Both films where shot in Edinburgh, telling the story of the Skye Terrier who remained loyal to his master after his death by staying by his graveside. Wander around the long established Kirkyard, you can even visit the original grave of Bobby’s master and finish your day off with a wee dram in Bobby’s bar situated just outside the Kirkyard. There are many more film locations to discover in and around the city as seen in blockbusters such as Avengers: Infinity War, The Da Vinci Code, The Railway Man and Cloud Atlas. Discover more at www.edinburgh.org/ edinburgh-on-film/maps-anditineraries/edinburgh-filmlocations or ask our Concierge team.
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Get Cosy... There’s something quite remarkable about a picture house, steeped in history and showcasing a wide variety of motion pictures from timeless classics to indie award winning documentaries. There are plenty to choose from in Edinburgh and we recommend the following hidden gems to experience during your stay.
>>> Edinburgh Film House 88 Lothian Road EH8 9BZ Just a stone’s throw away from the hotel, the Edinburgh Film House is known for hosting the globally renowned Edinburgh International Film Festival, it celebrates brilliance and diversity. We recommend: Robots – From 22nd January This special season of films is programmed in partnership with the National Museum of Scotland to celebrate the new Robots exhibition where you can discover the 500-year quest to make machines human and see the most significant collection of humanoid robots ever assembled. Holocaust Memorial Day – 27 Jan - 1945 The Filmhouse will mark this coming Holocaust Memorial Day with the brilliant black and white Hungarian WWII drama, 1945. House Guests: The Skinny 5th – 28th February Ever wondered what films influenced your favourite artists? House Guests invite leading
Scottish cultural icons to programme a short season of their favourite movies and introduce themselves. Previous House Guests have included Ian Rankin, Young Fathers and Irvine Welsh. filmhousecinema.com
>>> The Cameo, Edinburgh 38 Home Street, EH 3 9LZ A five minute walk from the hotel, Cameo is loved amongst locals and specialises in showing live performances on screen such as the Sydney Opera or Bolshoi Ballet. Relax with a coffee and bite to eat before or after the show in their on-site café bar. We recommend: NT Live: The Tragedy of King Richard II. 15th Jan & 2nd Feb Met Opera Live: Carmen 2nd Feb Mamma Mia! 25th Feb picturehouses.com/cinema/Cameo_Picturehouse
Please note we have only selected a few screenings from each venue. Our concierge team will happily assist you to find a screening of your choice on your chosen date and time.
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Something for every occasion NOW by One Spa is our stylish onsite beauty salon, located inside One Spa and can be accessed via the bridge on level 5 of the hotel. Treatments from £15. While the weather may be dark and dull, this is the perfect opportunity to let your nails shine bright. We bring you our insider knowledge on the top nail trends for 2019. Out with the nude in with the bold Just like in the fashion world, bold colours are taking the beauty world by storm. Deep purple with delicate nail art on the ring finger has been tipped to be a big hitter during winter. Here to stay Ombre style colours have been bang on trend since late 2017. It continues to be popular amongst therapists as it makes the nails a little edgier. Feeling adventurous? Opt for four colours, we love a pale pink and gold paired with a pastel blue and nude. Try alternating these colours between each finger. Think Metallic Despite that, metallic colours such as copper, rose gold, silver and even olive are tipped to be a winner in 2019. Pair this with a 3-D design and you will create a show stopping manicure. Shine bright like a diamond Go for a high gloss finish to round off the perfect mani or pedi. Moody colours such as smokey teal or burgundy look absolutely fabulous with a gloss finish. The perfect pick me up for a dreary day.
Guest Offer: 20% off any treatment at NOW by One Spa during your stay. For an overview of treatments and regular prices, please refer to the NOW by One Spa treatment list in your desk drawer. T&C’s: Available Monday – Sunday. Subject to availability. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
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Paterson SA Hairdressing Special offer for Guests of the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh
Monday - Thursday 20% off Cut & Blow Dry Monday - Saturday 10% off Blow Dry or Hair Up Friday - Saturday 10% off Cut & Blow Dry
129 Lothian Road 0131 228 5252 – just 2 minutes from the hotel 17 South Clerk Street 0131 662 4066 134 High Street, Dalkeith 0131 660 5733
Proof of stay must be shown to reception