Key Points
- Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh has opened an eight-storey extension adding 100 bedrooms, increasing total capacity to 290 rooms.
- The £22.4 million project includes expansion of Leo’s Restaurant to boost dining capacity for guests and locals.
- The development has created 15 new jobs amid rising demand from leisure and business travellers.
- Located in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, the hotel blends modern design with the city’s heritage.
Edinburgh (Edinburgh Daily News) January 30, 2026 – Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh has unveiled a major £22.4 million extension, adding 100 new bedrooms to reach a total of 290 rooms.
The eight-storey addition, now officially open, forms part of a wider refurbishment in the heart of the city’s Old Town, enhancing facilities for both tourists and business visitors.
What does the extension include?
The project significantly boosts the hotel’s capacity with 100 additional bedrooms, alongside an expanded Leo’s Restaurant designed to accommodate more guests and local diners, according to reports from Hotel Scotland and The Caterer.
As reported by Claire McLoughlin of Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh, “This extension represents a significant investment in both our hotel and the wider Edinburgh hospitality sector.”
How will this impact local employment and tourism?
The new wing has created 15 jobs, supporting the local economy as demand grows from domestic and international visitors to Scotland’s capital, Hospitality and Catering News reports.
What is driving the hotel’s expansion?
Claire McLoughlin, General Manager, stated the expansion meets increasing demand from leisure and business travellers, reinforcing confidence in Edinburgh as a premier destination, as covered by Hotel Scotland.
What are the next steps for the hotel?
With upgraded amenities blending modern luxury and historic charm near Waverley Station and the Royal Mile, the hotel positions itself to handle peak visitor periods more effectively, Travel and Tour World notes.
The Leonardo Royal Hotels portfolio, now featuring nine UK properties, continues to invest in growth to deliver high-quality accommodation amid Edinburgh’s booming tourism sector.
