Standing proudly with coveted vistas of the Castle and Princes Street, it has long been a stalwart on the Edinburgh entertainment scene. Busy, but sorely lacking in finesse, The Rutland was crying out for some TLC and a serious makeover.

 

Step forward, Nic and Garreth Wood of Signature Pub Group.

 

Having breathed life into the neglected and dilapidated Brecks on Edinburgh's Rose Street and turned it into Element, the 'coolest place in the country'* the brothers have now undertaken a far bigger project in revitalising The Rutland. Nic and Garreth enlisted the assistance of Tibbatts Kirk Abel Design, which is internationally renowned for work within the bar, leisure and retail sector, to help bring their vision into existence.

 

Having closed just after Christmas, The Rutland Hotel is scheduled to reopen mid June 2008 with a twelve boutique-style guest rooms, style bar, 100 cover restaurant and basement lounge club, The One Below.

 

The Bar at The Rutland is offering specially selected wines, beers and spirits, juices are freshly squeezed, trained baristas will be on-hand to produce the finest coffees and award-winning mixologists have designed the extensive seasonal cocktail list.

 

Situated on the ground floor of this stunning Georgian monolith the visual impact is immediate. From the beautiful parquet flooring to the stunning lighting design feature, which hangs from the first floor restaurant all the way through to the bar – halo lit suspended glass globes linking the two floors together.

 

The centrepiece bar is all designer glitz and perfect for perching at, as are the velvet benches, which are positioned in clusters, each offering great views of the entire ground floor.

 

Inspired by the lounge clubbing style favoured in cities such as New York, Paris and Los Angeles, One Below at The Rutland is decorated in the richest, plushest fabrics in the most opulent of shades.

 

Situated around the perimeter are twelve vaulted booths, each individually designed and decked out in jewel colours.

 

Want to listen to your own tunes as you chill out? No problem, four of the largest booths have an iPod docking station – just plug yours in and enjoy. Wonder at the cutting edge technology of the iBar, the third in the World, a clever new technology where the surface of the bar illuminates to project effects such as animations and real video.

Each of the en-suite bespoke bedrooms is a blend of the baroque and the ultra modern. The signature white framed headboards and white lacquered bedroom furniture are real room features while pops of vivid colour bring the rooms to life through the Barcelona Chairs, curtains, cushions, comforters and effects lighting.

 

Check-in, enjoy the homemade muffins and cookies, real filter coffee and designer teas supplied in each room and admire the incredible views of Edinburgh Castle.

 

With a lavish, sensual interior of red and black the restaurant at The Rutland is one of the most dramatic settings in Edinburgh.