Check Out This Orient Express Themed-Hotel in Edinburgh!

Ever since it set out on its maiden journey in 1883, the glamour and indulgence of the Orient Express has enamoured millions. Originally connecting Paris and Istanbul, the iconic passenger train continues to resonate with varied audiences, having found expression in books, music, video games, television and cinema. But House of Gods, a new four-star hotel that’s opened in Cowsgate, Edinburgh, is taking it a step further. The entire property—22 rooms split into cabin, classic and suite options—is modelled on the now-defunct train’s decadent interiors, combined with a dash of the weird and eclectic.

 The weird is a compliment, because we’re not sure where the cheetah statues or tiger-print pillows fit in, but it all seems well-appointed. 

‘The Cabin’ rooms are a cosy 10 sq m, equipped with a sleigh bed and hidden TV mirror. ‘The Classic’ offers a more spacious 14 sq m with its Versailles-inspired rooms, while ‘The Suite’ lays out the most extravagant stay of the lot. At 27 sq m, it features a hand-built four-poster bed, a cinema projector screen, and a free-standing Victorian bathtub. 

All 22 rooms come with hidden Nespresso machines, hand-built cocktail bars and marble-clad wet wall bathrooms. Another mainstay at House of Gods is Lillith’s Lounge, a colourful cocktail bar with drinks and decor inspired by the debauchery of Rock’n’Roll. 

Services plan to follow an unapologetic, ‘more is more’ policy. “If you, like Van Halen, just can’t stand the thought of brown M&M’s contaminating your favourite sweet treat—no problem...Or maybe like old school diva Barbra Streisand you require your toilet to be filled with rose petals—no problem. We can...accommodate your wildest desires, from Champagne-filled bathtubs to indulgent midnight feasts,” says House of Gods on their website. 

The hotel is located in the Cowsgate neighbourhood in the Royal Mile, part of Edinburgh’s Old Town. Nearby attractions include Edinburgh Castle (a Unesco World Heritage Site), the National Museum of Scotland, St Giles Cathedral and Waverley Station. For bookings and more information, see houseofgodshotel.com