Ten Hill Place is Scotland's 'largest independent hotel' following expansion

SIGNIFICANT expansion to an Edinburgh hotel that puts profits back into advancing surgical standards worldwide has been completed in time for the festival season.

Following record occupancy numbers, Ten Hill Place is increasing to 129 rooms – close to a 70 per cent increase on its current provision of 77 rooms – which will make it Edinburgh’s largest independent hotel.

The expansion has ‘sensitively renovated neighbouring Hill Place buildings in the heart of the Old Town, which are currently owned by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) and were previously used as offices and by academics,’ according to the venue in a release.

Operated by the college’s commercial arm, Surgeons Quarter, the hotel has grown in popularity year on year – helped by an 88 per cent occupancy rate and ‘highly positive’ TripAdvisor reviews.

Scott Mitchell, Commercial Director of Surgeons Quarter, said: “Work of this nature is always hugely exciting – even more so with the launch ahead of the festival – but can be equally stressful too, especially in hospitality.

“But credit to our team and our contractors who have helped make it a smooth process, with guests, delegates and visitors benefiting as a result.

“In turn, our expansion will give us a greater platform to generate the profits that go directly towards improving lives for surgical patients all around the world – including those in areas of conflict and extreme poverty.

“As the number of visitors to Edinburgh has soared, we have been able to tap into the market and develop our reputation – meaning that the hotel is now busy all year round.

“Having initially targeted visiting academics, medical professionals and delegates to conferences; our customer base is now exceptionally varied – especially during festival season and Hogmanay.”

The commercial team – which started out as just three people and is now more than 140 strong – has undergone a full rebrand to Surgeons Quarter – with the full destination branding coinciding with the conclusion of work at the hotel.

Capacity of the successful restaurant and wine bar has also been increased – the space can now host 150 guests. It also boasts a wonderful private dining area, ‘The Snug’, which can accommodate 14 diners.

Ten Hill Place’s newly refurbished restaurant, Drinks & Dining, is set to be a popular dining spot not just for hotel guests, but for local Edinburgh residents too.

Celebrated Executive Chef, Alan Dickson, who was crowned Hotel Chef of the Year at the 2017 awards has also designed a large kitchen from scratch, complete with £150,000 of the most advanced kitchen equipment to help provide the best food for restaurant guests and conference delegates alike.

Scott added: “We are hopeful that the expansion will enable the hotel to deliver its full potential, furthering what we already currently provide, our food and drinks offerings, assisting our charitable aims and boosting tourism and hospitality jobs in Edinburgh.”

The Royal College is one of the most illustrious institutions in Scotland. It provides education and assessment for medical students, surgical trainees and consultants and supports research to advance standards of care for the future. Surgeons trained and assessed through the College take their life-saving and life-changing skills all over the world.

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the College Campus, which includes the Playfair Building. All profits support the charitable aims of the College which are education, assessment and advancement in surgery.

As part of the major rebrand of the College’s commercial activities under the Surgeons Quarter banner, the collection of buildings situated around the historic Hill Square will also become known as Surgeons Quarter.

The rebranding will allow for the area to be a recognised destination and highlight the scale of the venues within it. Each of the settings operated by the Surgeons Quarter team will also become recognised with the distinct @Surgeons Quarter, again tying in the destination brand.