As far as traditional hotels go, this is the exact opposite of that. Yes, it still offers all the necessary amenities, a room to sleep in, a luxurious bathroom, a relaxing cafeteria, but it is beyond what a Hotel can be. It most definitely pulled me in at first glance.

I have mentioned the company responsible for this dreamy interior before. Grzywinski+Pons have excelled again previously in one of their recently completed restaurant and bar, Treves & Hyde, which was just as inspiring to me as any of their creative masterpieces.

This time, they have taken us to a magnificent city of which I’ve had the greatest pleasure of visiting myself not too long ago; Edinburgh in Scotland. The renovation of the 18th Century Georgian mansion and its 20th Century extension, was respectfully stripped to its most bare form and has been revamped to a completely unrecognisable venue; Eden Locke Hotel, of which is constructed of 72 rooms in total.

Grzywinski+Ponsembarked in this renovation with the building’s existing features and with Scotland’s capital historical architecture in mind. They focused particularly in utilising the excellent style of tall windows that has been used countless of times in Scotland, to allow heaps of natural light to surge the rooms of Edinburgh’s most traditional buildings. Using tall windows, they encouraged the true light of Scotland in their design, whilst merging that with the sense of being transported to an exotic land.

Having that distinct contrast between the stony facades of the exterior surrounding buildings and the soft, clean finishes on the inside, is really the sole purpose of this free and unusual style approach. A lot of the furniture, the employed bent wood, cane, wicker chairs and terra cotta pots, was designed first hand by Grzywinski+Pons, along with the brass finishes, the stone, cladding and steel features, which are all united through the mass use of greenery, all of which simply adds to that evident tropical notion.

The rooms are sectioned off in various eras, each with a unique characteristic, in pastel colours and glistening details, such as the brass balustrades, lighting fixtures, handles and cutlery. The bespoke structures are arranged to provide an easy flow, both within each room and from one residency to another. A central bathroom and kitchen is encompassed by internal stairs that lead up to a higher part to where the wardrobe is suitably fitted.

This playful atmosphere has been so cleverly put together, through the combination of colour and texture becoming one with the building. Green painted walls against bright yellow doors and hanging panels above the bar, custom made wicker furniture and knitted throws, even pale timber chairs and segmented ceiling panels. The exotic mood continues within the odd forms found in the bespoke items and the scattered ornaments throughout.

All in all, Eden Locke is such a colourful (literally) escape that one would not expect to find hidden behind grey sandstone walls and would not dream of desiring its departure.

Photos © Grzywinski+PonsEden Locke

Photography courtesy of Nicholas Worley