Seductive with faultless service, Edinburgh's new Malmaison is indeed extraordinary and quite magical - Liam Rudden

Birmingham was first, part of a press trip to see some long forgotten musical ahead of its arrival in the Capital. I vaguely remember a story about part of the stage collapsing one night, but the title evades me so I’m guessing it was no five-star job.

Other theatre trips took me to the Liverpool Mal, the show Wicked, if I recall correctly. Then there was a stay in the Manchester one, a night in the London edition, and an enlightening stay at Belfast’s Malmaison one Good Friday weekend.

Of the others, I’ve enjoyed drinks in the Dundee, Glasgow and, of course, Leith hotels - just Aberdeen, Brighton, Cheltenham, Newcastle, Oxford and Reading to go.

As a brand, Malmaison ticks all the right boxes for me, so I was delighted to be asked to check out the latest addition to the collection, Malmaison Edinburgh City, on St Andrew Square. That their newest venture is in the Capital brings Malmaison full circle, their first opened down on Leith’s Shore way back in 1994, when they converted the old sailors’ rest into a classy, cool, upmarket hotel. The Edinburgh City, however, could not be more different - deep reds, verdant greens, dark shadows and a nicely eclectic selection of art being the order of the day.

Named after the Château de Malmaison on the outskirts of Paris (Napoleon’s last French residence as the Hundred Days War ended in 1815), it’s easy to see from where influences was drawn. Dramatic yet welcoming, the reception is dominated by rich leather and satin rose tapestry that just screams to be caressed, indeed its tactile nature tempts everyone to touch it explained the delightful Emma, who checked us in before encouraging us to do the same.

Our room proved every bit as breathtaking, clever concealed lighting and a beautifully detailed cityscape mural, again bordered by roses created an instantly calm and seductive atmosphere - the bed was incredibly comfortable too.

Next, the Mal Bar beckoned. On the ground floor, with a second entrance from North St David Street, as in other Mals, beer is served in 2/3 pint schooners, but it was the cocktails that impressed - I believe you can tell a lot about a mixologist by the way they pour a good old fashioned Mojito and, well, an Old Fashioned. Luke didn’t let us down, serving one of the finest Mojitos I’ve enjoyed for some time and a perfect bourbon based Old Fashioned.

Throughout we were treated to a unobtrusive but hypnotically ambient playlist that is modern with laid back retro vibes, it accompanies drinks and meals as the sound track of a film might.

And talking of meals, dinner in Chez Mal presented a difficult choice between a la carte and market menus... and then more deliberating over the perfectly matched courses - the delicious meaty tiger prawns won battle of the starters, succulent chicken followed as did a refreshing desert of moreish ice cream. Service throughout was faultless.

Young, evocative and on trend, Malmaison invites you to ‘experience the extraordinary’. We did, extraordinary service, food and cocktails in an extraordinary environment.

There’s something to be said for being a tourist in your own city when the 'extraordinary' is as magical as this.

www.malmaison.com/locations/edinburgh-city/