Forget everything you thought you knew about luxury city hotels because House of Gods is all about breaking the rules and having some fun. And a stay in this unique, boutique, city-centre hotel is sure to be unforgettable.
Here, they believe ‘beige is blasphemy’ (and I couldn’t agree more!) so every single corner of this small hotel packs a punch with edgy and extravagant décor, frivolous fun, and wild excess!
The red neon sign is the only hint at what lies inside of this unassuming and, quite frankly, dull building. Inside, however, the hotel is anything but ordinary. Inspired by the high-end luxury of top London hotels but keen to create indulgence that would be affordable to all, the hotel was born from the minds of two experimental brothers*.
It opened in 2019 to rave reviews and has been winning over Instagrammers, Millennials and tourists ever since thanks to its unapologetically hedonistic style and bohemian, rock ‘n’ roll feel.
Hotel
House of Gods may be an unremarkable building but it stands in an enviable position in Cowgate, in the heart of the historic Old Town of Edinburgh. The city’s second oldest street, Cowgate – which was originally a passage to filter cattle – is located just off the famous Royal Mile and a stone’s throw from Edinburgh’s long list of landmarks, visitors’ attractions, bars, pubs, restaurants and shops.
Cowgate, which later became a bustling market and then flourished as a fashionable area of the city, sunk into a dark part of history in the 18th century and attracted gamblers, thieves and ladies of the night. But during the 19th century it started to thrive with nightlife and became a trendy neighbourhood.
The hotel celebrates all aspects of the area’s chequered past with its eclectic mix of décor and design, taking you on a colourful journey back in time as soon as you step foot inside.
Room
I had made the most of the online check-in a few days before we arrived so everything was very streamlined on the day. Reception is little more than a dark corner tucked behind the flamboyant bar but, once you find it, staff are on hand to whisk you off along a long, shadowy corridor to one of 22 rooms.
The most modest of rooms – the cabin room – is compact and inspired by the lavish but snug rooms aboard the world-famous Orient Express, where size doesn’t necessarily equal grandeur. At the other end of the spectrum, the hotel boasts a grand and opulent suite; a larger, over-the-top room with a luxurious bed fit for royalty and a decadent copper freestanding bath.
We were staying in one of the middle-of-the-road classic rooms; although there’s nothing ordinary about these rooms! Inspired by Versailles, they make the ultimate romantic hideaway for two with a beautiful four-poster bed, marble ensuite wet room, oak-panelled and dark red velvet walls.
Stepping inside the small but dramatic room was like stepping into the Moulin Rouge, everything had been reimagined, tweaked, and recreated; creating a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
The cosy rooms make clever use of their limited space with hidden nooks and secret cupboards, as well as mirrors that double as TVs, while there plenty of sustainable touches including vegetable soap and vegan bar snacks.
The bijou, bourgeois hotel may be cool, but it’s not always practical. There’s no space to unpack, a distinct lack of light for finding your missing earring or choosing the right shade of lippy, and there’s nowhere to sit to eat your breakfast or enjoy a drink (unless you’re happy quite literally eating breakfast in bed). But who cares about practical when you’re treating yourself to a weekend of fun?
The lack of space, air and natural light can leave you feeling a little claustrophobic but any amount of time you spend here will certainly be memorable. Dimly-lit as if constantly on the cusp of night-time, guests are encouraged to let their hair down and embrace their mischievous side.
For a one-night treat or a romantic weekend break, this is the ultimate place to stay.
Food, drink and the VIP experience
The team here is keen to cater to their guests’ wildest dreams and have put together several packages that can be tagged onto bookings for an extra special experience. Choose one of these riders when you book your stay or push the call button in your room to make a request or ‘send help!’ if you need a little extra help from your on-call butler.
We were treated to the ‘Treat Me Like I’m Famous’ rider – available from £99 – and we were greeted with golden balloons and metallic rose petals scattered across the bed, a delicious platter of handmade chocolates, and a chilled bottle of Prosecco.
To kick off our evening in the city we enjoyed the in-room cocktail service, with the bar-tender mixing us a specially-made no-alcohol mocktail for us which was great fun. The highlight, however, was the night-time milk and cookies that were delivered to our door as we curled up in bed to watch a movie after a busy evening out. The milk was chilled and the cookie hot and crunchy, with oozing melted chocolate inside. Yum!
Guests with the rider can also enjoy late checkout and a £50 tab at the hotel’s plush, trendy in-house cocktail bar, Lilith’s Lounge, where you can choose from the rock’n’roll-inspired menu.
For breakfast, we were excited to try the Breakfast of Gods; a cute hamper of tea, coffee, Mimosas and bagels, from local eatery, Bross Bagels. As House of Gods doesn’t have its own restaurant, the team has made the most of its creativity again to create this fun, in-room experience. I went for the veggie Bomblette Bagel; an unseeded, vegan-friendly bagel filled with a broccoli, sweet onion, cherry tomato and goats’ cheese folded omelette. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed; like everything during our visit to House of Gods Hotel.
In a nutshell
Anyone who visits House of Gods is sure to step out with a smile on their face, having felt like a rock star, if only for a night. Everything the team has done here is to create a fun, indulgent experience for their guests and, when you’re on holiday, what more could you ask for?
Factbox
Rooms at House of Gods start from £89 per room per night. The VIP package – ‘Treat me like I’m famous’ – is available from £99.
Address: House of Gods Hotel, 233 Cowgate, Edinburgh
Phone: 0131 2300 445
Website: houseofgodshotel.com
(*You might be excited to know that the visionaries behind this other-worldly hotel are preparing to open two new hotels in Glasgow and Manchester… watch this space!)
