Red Carnation's 100 Princes Street finally expected to open this year

Red Carnation Hotels' much-anticipated 100 Princes Street property is finally expected to open in Edinburgh in November of this year.

The former Royal Overseas League building will open on 1 November, inspired by the historic inhabitants of the former private members' club. The Over-Seas Club was founded in 1910 by Sir Evelyn Wrench "to foster international friendship and understanding".

The luxury hotel collection acquired the building, its first Scottish property, for an undisclosed sum from the Royal Overseas League in 2019. The company announced plans to respectfully renovate the former private members' club with views of Edinburgh Castle and to transform it into an "exclusive retreat" like the group's Hotel 41 in London, with approximately 30 bedrooms. The hotel was expected to open in April 2022.

Designed by Toni Tollman, Philippe Bonino, and Brian Brennan, 100 Princes Street has been decorated with furnishings and artwork from local artisans, including custom-made tartan by Araminta Campbell, and a central staircase with a hand-painted mural by Croxford and Saunders inspired by historic Scottish explorers. Other highlights will include a wine wall with more than 200 fine wines and a selection of Scottish whiskies.

The service is described as an "anything, anytime" approach with a 2:1 staff ratio and a "cosy townhouse atmosphere" akin to a private home, rather than a traditional hotel. There will also be a residents-only Explorers' Club serving signature local dishes.

The property will be overseen by Malcolm Hendry, managing director of Hotel 41 and the Rubens at the Palace in London as well as 100 Princes Street; resident manager Laura Jamieson; and executive chef Wilhelm Rudolf Mare.

Mare started his career as a trainee chef at De Volkskombuis in South Africa where he spent seven years working his way up to assistant general manager. In 2021 he moved to Bushman's Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat as executive sous chef and later that year as executive chef. His dishes at 100 Princes Street are expected to focus on locally sourced produce, especially seafood and Scottish beef.

The Tollman family-owned and run Red Carnation Hotels has 18 properties across the UK, Guernsey, Ireland, the US, Switzerland, Botswana and South Africa, including the Milestone, Rubens at the Palace, Montague on the Gardens, Egerton House and the Chesterfield Mayfair hotels in London; Summer Lodge in Evershot, Dorset; the Duke of Richmond and Old Government House in Guernsey; and Ashford Castle and Hatch Hall in Ireland.