Virgin Hotels Edinburgh

Victoria Street is already one of Edinburgh's more theatrical streets, so putting a hotel inside an 1860s building there is either obvious or inspired, probably both. Virgin Hotels Edinburgh splits the old bones of India Buildings, stone arches and wood-paneled bar intact, with unapologetically contemporary additions grafted on top. Rooms use a two-chamber layout, sliding doors dividing the dressing area from the bedroom, keeping things sleek without feeling like a stage set.

One honor, in evidence: