Nostalgia, glamour, and perfectly poached eggs consumed in bed as Edinburgh starts to wake up – welcome to The Principal.
In the fiercely competitive hotel industry, The Principal is the matriarch of the hotel world and has been welcoming guests since 1775.
As you step through the door which is smoothly opened by the tartan-clad concierge, you are enveloped in old-school luxury.
Marble columns, beautiful furniture, and the original sweeping staircase make you stand up a little straighter as your bags are whisked off to your room before you’ve even reached the front desk.
But whilst The Principal may be high end it has a wonderfully welcoming attitude without a hint of pretension.
The army of staff make it their mission to make you feel at home, which is perhaps why customers keep returning year on year.
At a time when the race is on to be modern and quirky, The Principal has taken a step back to the days when staying in a hotel was a real occasion.
Attention to detail means there are red telephones in all rooms, tuck boxes containing drumstick lollies, and a team who will stop at nothing to make your stay quite simply perfect.
There are 14 suites in total, all of which have views of historic George Street. They have been decorated in keeping with a classic vintage theme and The Junior Suite is a beautiful room to spend the night.
Lounging in a fluffy white bathrobe in the open-plan lounge is highly recommended, and you have the choice of a wonderfully squishy sofa or stately armchairs.
It’s the perfect spot for breakfast as sunlight steams through from galleried windows. However, if you’re feeling luxuriously lazy, you can always take breakfast back to the kingsize bed.
A tweed throw, thick duvet, and pillows with just the right amount of plump means you may need a wake-up call come morning.
The bathroom is concealed behind double doors and sets the standard high when it comes to pampering.
Relax in the free-standing bath with a glass of Champagne, or head for the enormous walk-in shower. Just don’t be too disappointed if your own bathroom appears a little lacklustre back home.
A stay in The Junior Suite is an experience in itself, and you feel that bit more special from the moment you walk through the door.
Slick room service at any hour of the day, tasteful furnishings and a brilliant spot in which to watch the comings and goings of George Street means you’ll never want to leave.
It’s no secret that Edinburgh is a foodie heaven, and there is a melting pot of fabulous restaurants which offer dishes from around the world.
A meal at The Principal’s very own eatery means amazing food is only a stone’s throw from your hotel room.
The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen opened at the end of 2015 and uses local produce to create contemporary dishes.
Think Great Gatsby mixed with a laid back vibe, and a cocktail menu which could see you into the small hours.
To start with was Loch Fyne smoked salmon with bread and butter – simple but flavoursome.
The salmon was succulent and the portion just right, and it brought the taste buds alive for the main.
Roast monkfish with baby onions and chorizo jam was full of flavour and texture, and the fish was cooked to perfection.
The absolute triumph however was dessert, thanks to chocolate creme brulee served with sour cherries.
Not too sickly and real melt in the mouth consistency meant every mouthful was savoured.
Dinner was washed down with a fine bottle of white sat on ice, followed by some special in-house cocktails in the bar.
Service was slick and the vibe was just right, with tables set just the right distance apart.
The Printing Press is not too fussy or too casual, and it is also becoming a firm favourite with locals. If it’s good enough for the neighbours…
The Principal would not run so flawlessly, were it not for general manager Andreas Maszyczyk who has worked in hotels around the world since he was 16 years old.
Now 41, his passion for The Principal is evident and his dapper suited figure is as much a part of the hotel as the furniture.
He started work as a receptionist 14 years ago and The Principal’s progression seems to have grown alongside Andrea’s career.
“The Principal is a listed building made up of five merged town houses, and we’ve been very careful to preserve that history when doing the renovation work,” he said.
“We opened The Printing Press in 2015 alongside our coffee shop, Burr&Co.
“They are both extremely popular with our guests and the locals and that’s what we wanted to achieve – a place where the local community felt they could come and relax.
“It’s not just about good food, you need to have heart and we are hopefully achieving a great community vibe as well as a top-class restaurant.”
Andrea heads up 250 staff who make sure that every single guest is well looked after.
No request is too big, from booking theatre tickets to making a birthday extra special, and the concierge team know every single haunt that Edinburgh has to offer.
“There are dozens of hotels across the city and of course it is very easy for me to say that what The Principal offers is unique,” said Andrea.
“But we create an experience where our guests come away with memories and stories.
“Nothing is too much trouble, one little girl once left her teddy here for example but this wasn’t a question of lost property.
“Teddy ended up going on holiday, he visited the kitchens and we took pictures of him helping on reception.
“By the time Teddy and his owner were reunited, she had lots of pictures to see what he had been doing.
“I adore my job and I think more people should consider hospitality.
“You can only work in hotels if you’re truly passionate about what you do though, you have to put your heart in it.”
As well as catering for 100 weddings last year, The Principal has recently become pet friendly.
There are specific rooms designated for guests who are staying with their pooches, who will be treated to their very own doggy hamper and cushions.
“It’s been a very popular option so far, we make sure the dogs enjoy their stay just as much as our other guests,” said Andrea.
“I feel like it was my destiny to work here, and I have a feeling The Principal will still be welcoming guests in another 100 years.”
Bespoke your bubbles at The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen. Share a bottle with friends and enjoy a selection of seasonal fruit, passion fruit purée, peach purée, crème de cassis and Aperol.
Choose from a bottle of Vaporetto Prosecco for £27 or indulge with a bottle of Besserat de Bellefon Grande Tradition Brut Champagne for £55.
Available every day at The Printing Press.
Book a table online or call the team on 0131 240 7177.