The captivating capital city of Scotland has long since been a top tourist attraction for its rich history and charming cobbled streets, so it’s no wonder it’s the top city on Colliers 2024 UK Hotel Market Index.

Edinburgh secured the number one spot for several commendable factors, including its consistent upward revenue trajectory per available room since 2019.

Investors should also look out for other Scottish cities that made it into Colliers’ top ten markets – Inverness at number three and Glasgow at spot eight. There has been a growing allure to Scottish destinations by visitors, with 70% keen to visit the scenery and landscape and 48% eager to immerse themselves in Scotland’s history and culture.

For those in the hotelier industry, it’s desirable to know that not only is there a plethora of guests to populate your hotel, but that the country’s build and land costs are more than favourable.

Colliers’ Head of Hotels, Resorts and Consulting Marc Finney said: “The data in our third annual report reveals the ever-evolving nature of the UK hotels market… What has been interesting to note this year has been the shift back to the city break as opposed to the countryside staycations which were popular during the pandemic.”

Investors looking to create a new hotel in the UK Hotel Market’s most desirable location would be joining an array of stylish and unique completed TJL projects.

Thomas Johnstone was the main contractor for the Virgin Hotel Edinburgh, a trailblazing project that was the brand’s first Virgin Hotel outside the US.

The hotel comprises five separate blocks and is a fusion of heritage-listed buildings and a newly built extension, which houses many of the hotel’s 222 guest rooms.

Within the existing India Buildings the exquisite stained-glass dome ceilings were meticulously preserved and refurbished by TJL and now form a stunning feature complementing the history of the building.

The first Waldorf Astoria in Scotland was another TJL project. The phased work saw the propping of the roof by TJL’s team to remove load-bearing walls and open up space for 20 new five-star ensuite bedrooms during the listed building’s rebrand.

Further work on the notable building included a refit of its 87 existing bedrooms, which TJL completed concurrently with the structural works noted above.

Less than a five-minute walk from Scott Monument, the InterContinental Edinburgh The George is one of the city’s most popular five-star hotels. During the first of several projects carried out by TJL at this hotel, significant structural works to the historic façade were completed, and refurbishment of the hotel’s guest rooms, bar, restaurant, functional spaces, and office were also part of the renowned Edinburgh hotel’s revamp.

If an apartment style stay is more your approach, then The Edinburgh Grand is ideal. Right by the infamous Princes Street, this upscale venue gives you your own fully equipped kitchen, living room and bathroom, as well as a stunning on-site restaurant and swanky 4^th floor cocktail bar.

Thomas Johnstone’s work on the hotel involved transforming the former headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland into 50 unique apartments. TJL’s team removed  the roof from the building, replacing it from the façade backwards to form a new lightwell with PTFE roof light and Penthouse apartments in a new steel and holorib structure behind, all with roof terraces.

Significant internal structural works were also conducted, and new services were threaded throughout the building, with the historic charm retained where possible and enhanced or even re-created with complimentary pieces. Along with bespoke manufactured components such as wall panels, vanity units and bars, TJL’s Manufactured Joinery division created a fun table tennis table in their 30,000 square foot Manufactured Joinery facility for guests to enjoy.

A wander around the city on your travels will give you a chance to spot an abundance of elegant hotels TJL has had the pleasure of working on: Tigerlily Edinburgh, The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, The Bonham, and Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, to name a few.

With Edinburgh’s strong ranking at number one in the 2024 Hotel Market Index, we’re excited to see what new developments could be popping up in the near future.