Wine House 1821

Chic wine bar and guest residence

A wine bar and boutique getaway that’s the combined vision of a top restaurateur and Italian wine house? What a fabulous idea. Edinburgh’s show-stopping The Wine House 1821 is the brainchild of restaurant guru Sep Marini & Zonin Wines. Combining restored Georgian features with contemporary touches, this is a sophisticated drinking spot and guest residence in the heart of the city. Huge picture windows overlooking the St James Quarter add to the overall buzz. As you might expect, the bar stocks a huge collection of over 100 wines, which you can sample in a choice of two drinking spots — The Wine House on the ground floor and Bar 1821 in the basement.

Ultra-glam escapes

The Wine House 1821 offers four boutique guest rooms designed with serene luxury in mind. Each has soft lighting and picture windows with fabulous views of either Calton Hill or Fife. All rooms are individually decorated with colour schemes that reflect a different Zonin wine estate, including a unique blend of fabrics, textures and contemporary object d’art.

Beds are super-comfy and dressed in fine Egyptian cotton with plump duvets and squooshy pillows. The marble-clad bathrooms include invigorating rainfall showers and luxury toiletries. Other features include a complimentary mini-bar, huge flat-screen TV, hairdryer, iron & ironing board, tea & coffee making facilities, plus lots of wardrobe room. There is also ample work space and free WiFi. If you are feeling too blissed out by all the luxury to leave your designer hideaway, then room service is also available.

Choice of two bars

On the ground floor is The Wine Bar, an oak-encased enclave with a distinctly classic feel designed by award-winning architect, Claudio Silvestrin. The Wine Bar has an enviable collection of 30 wines by the glass and over 100 by the bottle for those who wish to delve deeper. Guests who are not in the mood for wine can enjoy a hand crafted cocktail, Italian beer or spirit. Italian sharing platters and light bites are served in the wine bar and regular tasting events keep things buzzy.

Alternatively, wander down to the basement to funky cocktail spot, Bar 1821. Decorated in soft, warm tones with mood lighting, low-slung banquette seating and an illuminated bar taking centre stage, you can sit back and sip hand-crafted concoctions in a chic party zone.

Close to Edinburgh attractions

The Wine House 1821 is practically on the doorstep of the Edinburgh Playhouse, as well as being close to the lovely green spaces of Calton Hill and Royal Terrace Gardens. Edinburgh Waverley station is less than a ten-minute walk away and Princes Street is also within easy reach. The tram stop is only a few steps away and there are also a variety of restaurants to sample in the area.