The Caledonian Edinburgh Hotel
The Caledonian is a historic five-star railway hotel at the west end of Princes Street in Edinburgh, now operated as The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton.
Last updated November 4, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The Caledonian is a landmark five-star hotel in central Edinburgh, Scotland, occupying the site of the former Princes Street terminus of the Caledonian Railway. Commonly known as “The Caley,” it is one of Britain’s grand railway hotels and is recognized for its red sandstone façade, prominent position at the west end of Princes Street, and association with Edinburgh’s Victorian and Edwardian railway history. The building is a category A listed structure, Scotland’s highest level of protection for historic buildings. The hotel was commissioned by the Caledonian Railway as part of its Edinburgh Princes Street railway station complex. Construction took place from 1899 to 1903, following the rebuilding of the station after a fire damaged the earlier wooden structure in 1890. Architects John More Dick Peddie and George Washington Browne designed the hotel, with John Wilson serving as Peddie’s assistant and job architect. The property opened on 21 December 1903 as the Caledonian Station Hotel, with approximately 205 rooms and interiors influenced by the Louis XV style. Its grand arches originally provided access to the railway station beneath the hotel, integrating accommodation, transport and civic architecture in a manner typical of major railway hotels of the period. The Caledonian initially competed with the North British Railway’s North British Station Hotel, now commonly associated with the Balmoral, at the opposite end of Princes Street. Following the 1923 merger of the Caledonian Railway into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, the hotel was renovated. In 1925, a Louis XIV drawing room was converted into the Pompadour restaurant, which became one of the property’s notable dining spaces. The hotel was nationalized in 1948 along with the railway system and subsequently operated within the British Transport Hotels structure. Its interiors were substantially redesigned between 1956 and 1958 by Robert and Roger Nicholson. The closure of Princes Street Station in 1965 changed the physical and commercial setting of the hotel. The station was later demolished, leaving the hotel as the principal surviving element of the complex. A new wing added approximately 50 rooms, while the original station clock was preserved within the property. The former station concourse and ticket-office area was later enclosed and adapted as Peacock Alley, a bar and lounge that retained the historic clock and railway associations. The hotel moved through a series of ownership changes during the privatization of British Transport Hotels. A two-thirds interest in the Caledonian, the North British Hotel and Gleneagles Hotel was sold in 1981 to Gleneagles Hotels plc, with the remaining interest sold in 1984. The Caledonian was subsequently acquired by Norfolk Capital Hotels and then by Queens Moat Houses. Hilton International purchased the property in March 2000 for a reported £44.2 million, after which it operated as the Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh. A reported £24 million refurbishment completed in 2011 repositioned the property within Hilton’s luxury Waldorf Astoria portfolio. It was renamed Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, and the work upgraded guest rooms, public areas, the spa and dining facilities. The hotel had 241 rooms at that stage. Hilton sold the property in January 2018 to Twenty14 Holdings, the hospitality investment arm of Abu Dhabi-based Lulu Group International, while Hilton continued to manage it. The new ownership announced plans for further remodeling and an additional 50 rooms. In July 2023, Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality acquired the hotel for a reported £85 million. Henderson Park is the investment owner, while Klarent Hospitality is involved in hospitality operations and asset management. In June 2024, the property moved from the Waldorf Astoria identity to The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton. The rebranding reflects Curio Collection’s positioning around distinctive, independently characterized hotels while retaining the Hilton relationship. A further £35 million renovation and expansion has been announced, with plans to increase capacity to more than 300 rooms by early 2026. The hotel’s offer combines historic architecture, luxury accommodation, event and meeting facilities, spa services, and restaurants and bars, including Peacock Alley and Scottish-focused dining concepts.
History
The Caledonian developed from the railway infrastructure that transformed Edinburgh in the nineteenth century. The Caledonian Railway created a terminus at the west end of Princes Street and rebuilt the station after a fire in June 1890 damaged its earlier wooden structure. Between 1899 and 1903, the company constructed a substantial station hotel above the stone, V-shaped station building. John More Dick Peddie and George Washington Browne were the principal architects, assisted by John Wilson. The result was a red sandstone grand hotel with approximately 205 rooms, Louis XV-inspired decoration and large arches that connected the hotel with the station below. The Caledonian Station Hotel opened on 21 December 1903. Its location made it a direct competitor to the North British Railway’s hotel at the opposite end of Princes Street. The property’s identity was closely tied to the railway: travelers could arrive at the station, enter the hotel through the integrated complex and use a large public building that functioned as both transport gateway and luxury accommodation. Over time, the formal name was shortened to the Caledonian Hotel, while “The Caley” became a widely used nickname. The 1923 railway grouping brought the Caledonian Railway into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway. The hotel was renovated after the merger, and in 1925 a Louis XIV drawing room was converted into the Pompadour restaurant. Nationalization followed on 1 January 1948, when the property became part of the state railway system under the British Transport Commission and later British Transport Hotels. Robert and Roger Nicholson redesigned the interiors between 1956 and 1958, reflecting the changing expectations of postwar hotel guests while preserving the building’s fundamental historic character. Princes Street Station closed on 6 September 1965 and was demolished by 1970. The closure removed the hotel’s original operational railway function but created space for expansion. A new wing added approximately 50 rooms. Several physical reminders of the station survived, most notably the original station clock, which was retained by the hotel. The former station concourse and ticket-office area was subsequently roofed over and incorporated into Peacock Alley, a bar and lounge that continues to reference the building’s railway origins. The hotel was privatized in stages during the restructuring of British Transport Hotels. A two-thirds interest in the Caledonian, the North British Hotel and Gleneagles Hotel was sold to Gleneagles Hotels plc in June 1981, followed by the remaining third in March 1984. The Caledonian was sold to Norfolk Capital Hotels in 1984 and then to Queens Moat Houses in 1990. Hilton International acquired it in March 2000 for a reported £44.2 million and operated it as the Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh. A major refurbishment completed in 2011 cost a reported £24 million and repositioned the hotel under Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria luxury brand. The project improved rooms, public areas, the spa and restaurant facilities. The former station spaces became an important part of the guest experience, and the hotel continued to use its historic architecture as a differentiator within Edinburgh’s luxury accommodation market. Hilton sold the property in January 2018 to Twenty14 Holdings, the hospitality investment division of Lulu Group International, for a reported £85 million. Hilton remained the manager, separating property ownership from brand and operating responsibilities. The new owner announced plans for a further remodeling and an increase of roughly 50 rooms. During this period, the hotel also expanded and refreshed its dining offer. Grazing by Mark Greenaway opened in 2019, while the historic Pompadour restaurant was refurbished and reopened in 2021 as Dean Banks at The Pompadour. In July 2023, Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality acquired the hotel for a reported £85 million. The subsequent repositioning moved the property away from the Waldorf Astoria name while maintaining its Hilton connection. On 5 June 2024, it became The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton. In March 2024, the new stakeholders announced a planned £35 million renovation and expansion, intended to increase the hotel’s capacity to more than 300 rooms by early 2026. The current proposition combines a historic listed building, luxury rooms and suites, restaurants, bars, spa services and event facilities with the distribution and loyalty benefits associated with Hilton’s Curio Collection.
- 2024
Curio Collection rebrand
[1]The property becomes The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton on 5 June.
- 2023
Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality acquisition
[1]The property changes ownership again, with Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality acquiring the hotel.
- 2021
Dean Banks at The Pompadour opens
[1]The refurbished Pompadour restaurant reopens under the Dean Banks at The Pompadour name.
- 2019
Grazing by Mark Greenaway opens
[1]A Scottish restaurant concept opens at the hotel.
- 2018
Twenty14 Holdings becomes owner
[1]Twenty14 Holdings acquires the hotel while Hilton continues to manage it.
- 2011
Waldorf Astoria repositioning
[1]A major refurbishment leads to the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian identity.
- 2000
Hilton acquisition
[1]Hilton International purchases the property and operates it as the Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh.
- 1990
Queens Moat Houses acquisition
[1]Queens Moat Houses acquires the hotel from Norfolk Capital Hotels.
- 1984
Privatization is completed
[1]The remaining interest in the group of hotels is sold, and the Caledonian is subsequently acquired by Norfolk Capital Hotels.
- 1981
Partial privatization
[1]A two-thirds interest in the Caledonian and two other British Transport Hotels properties is sold to Gleneagles Hotels plc.
Products and positioning
A landmark luxury Edinburgh hotel combining grand railway heritage, protected historic architecture, contemporary hospitality and access to Hilton’s international distribution platform.
Luxury accommodation · 1903
Guest rooms and suites
The hotel provides luxury rooms and suites within a protected red sandstone railway-hotel building. The accommodation combines period architectural features and Edinburgh views with contemporary guest facilities. The property had 241 rooms following the 2011 refurbishment, and an announced renovation and expansion is intended to increase capacity to more than 300 rooms by early 2026.
Bar and lounge
Peacock Alley
Peacock Alley occupies a roofed-over area derived from the former railway station concourse and ticket-office spaces. It functions as a bar and lounge while preserving elements of the site’s transport history, including the original station clock. The venue is a central part of the hotel’s strategy of turning railway heritage into a contemporary guest experience.
Fine dining restaurant · 2021
Dean Banks at The Pompadour
Dean Banks at The Pompadour is the successor to the hotel’s historic Pompadour restaurant. The dining room was refurbished and reopened in 2021 under its current name, retaining the association with one of the property’s longest-standing restaurant spaces while presenting a contemporary fine-dining proposition.
Scottish restaurant · 2019
Grazing by Mark Greenaway
Grazing by Mark Greenaway is a Scottish restaurant concept that opened at the hotel in 2019. It broadens the property’s food-and-beverage offer beyond formal fine dining and emphasizes a locally grounded restaurant identity within the wider luxury hotel operation.
Wellness · 2011
Spa and wellness facilities
The hotel’s spa and wellness offer forms part of its full-service luxury positioning. Spa facilities were among the areas upgraded during the major 2011 refurbishment, supporting the property’s role as both an accommodation venue and a destination for leisure and restorative stays.
Events and hospitality services
Meetings, weddings and events
The Caledonian provides event, meeting and wedding facilities in a prominent historic setting. Its grand public rooms, central Princes Street location and railway-era architecture support private celebrations, corporate gatherings and social functions alongside normal hotel operations.
Brand decisions
2024
Move to Curio Collection by HiltonStrategyBackground
The owners sought to refresh the hotel’s positioning while preserving its distinctive historic identity and Hilton affiliation.
Action taken
The hotel was rebranded The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton on 5 June 2024.
Aftermath
A reported £35 million renovation and expansion is planned, with the stated objective of increasing capacity to more than 300 rooms by early 2026.
Announced renovation and expansion budget. £35 million (Announced March 2024; planned completion early 2026)
2023
Sale to Henderson Park and Klarent HospitalityM&ABackground
The property changed investment ownership while remaining connected to Hilton’s hotel distribution and brand system.
Action taken
Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality acquired the hotel.
Aftermath
The new stakeholders announced a major renovation and later moved the hotel into Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Reported acquisition price. £85 million (July 2023)
2018
Sale to Twenty14 HoldingsM&ABackground
Hilton changed the ownership structure while retaining its management relationship with the hotel.
Action taken
Twenty14 Holdings acquired the property from Hilton.
Aftermath
The hotel continued to operate with Hilton management, and the new owner announced plans for remodeling and additional rooms.
Reported acquisition price. £85 million (January 2018)
2011
Repositioning under Waldorf AstoriaStrategyBackground
Hilton undertook a major refurbishment to strengthen the property’s position in the luxury hotel segment.
Action taken
The rooms, public areas, spa and restaurant facilities were upgraded, and the hotel was renamed Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.
Aftermath
The property operated as a Waldorf Astoria hotel until its 2024 move to Curio Collection by Hilton.
Reported refurbishment cost. £24 million (2011)
Recent events
- 2024
The Caledonian joins Curio Collection by Hilton[1]
Product launch · Product generation
The hotel was rebranded The Caledonian Edinburgh, Curio Collection by Hilton on 5 June 2024. The owners also announced a planned renovation and expansion.
- 2023
Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality acquire the hotel[1]
M&A
Henderson Park and Klarent Hospitality purchased The Caledonian for a reported £85 million, continuing the property’s relationship with Hilton.
- 2021
The Pompadour reopens as Dean Banks at The Pompadour[1]
Product launch · Other
The hotel’s historic fine-dining restaurant was refurbished and reopened under the Dean Banks at The Pompadour name.
- 2019
Grazing by Mark Greenaway opens at the hotel[1]
Product launch
The property expanded its restaurant offer with Grazing by Mark Greenaway, a Scottish restaurant concept.
- 2018
Hilton sells The Caledonian to Twenty14 Holdings[1]
M&A
Twenty14 Holdings acquired the property for a reported £85 million, while Hilton continued to manage the hotel.
- 2011
The hotel joins the Waldorf Astoria portfolio after major refurbishment[1]
Other
A substantial refurbishment upgraded the rooms, public spaces, spa and restaurant facilities and led to the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian name.
- 2000
Hilton acquires The Caledonian hotel in Edinburgh[1]
M&A
Hilton International purchased the hotel and renamed it Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh, bringing the property into Hilton’s managed hotel portfolio.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/the-caledonian-edinburgh-hotel · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled