One Spa at the Sheraton Grand Hotel

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Sheraton Grand Hotel is large modern building in muted honey-coloured stone set on Edinburgh’s Festival Square, putting you right in the heart of the city. Across the square is Beaux Arts Usher Hall, a venue for concerts and theatre events.

Inside, the hotel is stylish with bright seating, sculptural metal light fittings in a variety of colours, and generous. open spaces in the bar and lounge areas. The One Square Brasserie, on the second floor, is popular with locals as well as hotel guests.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

You’ll find One Spa in a separate building across from the hotel. From the outside use the external staircase or lift; from inside take the skybridge from the 5^th floor. The spa is spread over an incredible five floors with the stairs and lift in the centre - glass walls keep everywhere light and bright.

We were warmly greeted by Aimee at the spa reception; our designated spa host, Monika, took us in hand and gave us a guided tour. From the changing rooms it’s possible to see just how large the spa is, with over a hundred full-size wooden lockers in the ladies changing room (containing your soft dark grey robe, three towels (no less), flip-flops and mini toiletries), several padded benches by which to change, eight curtained private changing areas, loos, and showers stocked with ESPA shampoo, conditioner and shower gel.

There’s a large vanity area - with mirrors, hair dryers and straighteners - at one side and ESPA cleanser, toner and moisturiser at the other; help yourself to spare towels and robes as you exit.

You’ll find the thermal area on the next floor up - swipe your wristband to enter and make a beeline for the spa’s centrepiece: a rooftop hydro-pool with delightfully warm water, leading you out into the sunshine. If the sun hasn’t got its hat on, there’s also an indoor 19-metre infinity pool for length swimming and a small sauna tucked away in the corner.

There are so many heat experiences on offer at One Spa that we found the map on the wall very handy. We counted two saunas – the bio sauna, generous enough to seat a dozen spa goers and window panes on three of the sides, plus a smaller very hot rock sauna for those who can stand the heat – a Himalayan salt room (our favourite) with tiled white seating and invigorating colour changing lights behind the salt bricks, a hammam, a Crystal steam room, a super shiny black tiled Laconium and several white tepidarium beds on which to relax between heat experiences. Cool off under one of the two experience showers or by grabbing handfuls of ice.

Hidden in the corner is a deep relaxation area with low lighting, padded curved seats and a flickering log-effect fire - the perfect place for a rest or even snooze.

TELL US ABOUT THE TREATMENTS

We tried the ESPA Modern Alchemy Tranquillity Ritual (80 minutes, £150).

My therapist, Kirsty, met me in the pre-treatment area and led me to a spacious treatment room with twinkling ceiling lights, a corner chair, a shower cubicle and a crisp white linen-dressed treatment bed. Above it hung the star of the show: a dharapatra - a copper vessel used to deliver warm oil to the forehead in the ancient Ayurvedic practice of Shirodhara.

Seated, Kirsty placed a comforting warmed wheat pack across my shoulders and smooth stones under the soles of my feet. She then smoothed oil into my palms and invited me to take deep breaths as she gently bathed my feet. She then presented me with three cards, asking me to choose one that resonated. I picked ‘release’ in red and green. To support this intention, she placed a small green stone into my hand, explaining it would stay with me throughout the ritual.

Kirsty left the room so that I could slip into paper pants and settle face down on the heated bed. The treatment began with a creamy balm that melted into a smoothing exfoliator. Kirsty applied this in long, sweeping motions, starting with the back of my left leg then working up the left side of my back and arm before repeating the process on the right. Once turned, the scrub was mirrored on the front of my body: right leg, side of the stomach and arm, then the left – with rhythmic, figure-of-eight movements creating a sense of balance and harmony. I was invited to shower to remove the scrub before lying back down, this time face up.

Chakra stones were then placed along my torso, with additional stones slipped beneath my palms. A soothing foot ritual followed, before Kirsty moved on to a massage of the neck, shoulders and scalp. Her flowing movements guided my head gently from side-to-side, lulling me into near-sleep.

Next up, the highlight of the treatment: the ancient Shirodhara ritual. From the suspended dharapatra, a steady stream of warm oil poured onto my forehead, focusing on the ‘third eye’. The sensation was hypnotic - soothing and grounding - creating an overwhelming sense of comfort.

I floated out of the room with skin that felt smooth, senses soothed and my mind quietened. The combination of exfoliation, massage, energy work and Shirodhara made the ESPA Modern Alchemy Tranquillity Ritual a multi-layered experience.

Kirsty advised me to take it easy for the rest of the day before tucking me in with a One Spa blanket and handing me a peppermint tea. I found our spa partner happily cocooned in one of the eight beds - each prepped with a hot water bottle - looking suitable snug and relaxed after her ESPA Modern Alchemy Harmonising Ritual. We helped ourselves to fruit-infused water, hibiscus iced tea and dried fruit crisps before sinking into the post-treatment calm.

FOOD FACTS

You’ll find the dedicated spa café – where you can comfortably dine in your robe – next to reception. We took a seat at one of the eight tables, and sampled all three smoothies on offer – berries, greens and mango – whilst admiring the uplifting palette of tan, yellow and teal. The brand-new spa menu includes salads, sandwiches, freshly baked pastries and saintly balance bowls. We opted for the latter: served in a takeaway style bowl, the combination of Quinoa, roasted Mediterranean vegetables, olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, hummus with a lemon-herb dressing was tasty and surprisingly filling. Washed down with an obligatory glass of Prosecco to keep things balanced.

As we were staying overnight, we dined at One Square Bar & Brasserie, where fresh and seasonal Scottish produce and friendly and efficient staff come as standard. Wood floors and tables, tall ceilings with statement lighting, and floor-to-ceiling glass on one side create a relaxed space.

We feasted on Borders Wood Pigeon with peach and watercress salad to start, followed by Crab Thermidor for mains – both flavoursome and delicious. Our spa partner enjoyed the Fried Squid starter followed by the Pan-seared Sea Bream. Loosening our waistbands, we tucked into Peach Melba Pavlova with peach compote, raspberry sorbet and lemon meringue; our spa partner got stuck into the Scottish cheese selection with chutney jelly and acacia honey

WE LOVED / WE DIDN’T LOVE

We loved

Our ESPA Modern Alchemy Ritual was superb and left us feeling soothed and grounded; the ancient Shirodhara element was the cherry on the cake – the steady stream of warm oil poured onto our forehead was utter heaven.

The staff: everyone we encountered during our visit was friendly and professional; our spa host, Monika, was always on hand to tend to our every whim. VIP feels, indeed.

The facilities: after toasting away in every sauna, steam and Laconium in sight,we loved wallowing in the rooftop hydro-pool, a highlight whatever the weather.

We didn’t love

The showers in the changing rooms could do with a little TLC.

WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD LIKE IT?

Couples will love bubbling together in the hydropool, having a treatment (or two) and finishing off the day with a locally sourced feast in the Brasserie. Date night, sorted.

City lovers: One Spa’s central Edinburgh locale makes it a perfect place to relax after a day of roaming the beautiful, cobbled streets; did we mention, the castle is just a few minutes’ walk away?

Besties: we saw several robe-clad girls catching up over a chilled glass of Prosecco.

WHAT BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded One Spa at The Sheraton Grand Hotel a Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of Five Bubble Luxury Rating for its superb city location, fantastic selection of heat facilities, professional yet friendly staff and imaginative treatments.

Serene Spy visited in September 2025 and awarded it Five Bubble Luxury.