There is usually a flurry of new openings in Edinburgh as businesses race to launch before all the summer festivals hit town.

One of the latest is 24 Royal Terrace, a new hotel on one of Edinburgh’s most iconic Georgian terraces. The sixteen-bedroom hotel will open its doors to guests on the 1st July.

Playfair design

Designed by the famous architect William Playfair in the 1820s, the hotel has undergone a million pound overhaul and is opening under new ownership.

Backing onto both the Royal Gardens of Holyrood Palace and Calton Hill, 24 Royal Terrace has commanding views across to the Firth of Forth.

Of course, this being the 5pm Dining blog, we are more concerned with the victuals on offer. You can’t eat a view, after all.

Both residents and non-residents will be welcome in rt’s bar. As well as breakfasts, coffee and cake is served in the morning with the lunch/afternoon menu kicking in at noon.

Afternoon tea

Hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and deli sharing platters are the order of the day. As you might expect from a luxury hotel, afternoon tea is an all singing, all dancing production at 24 Royal Terrace.

We were tickled by the names of the Chakra tea range on offer. Fancy a cup of Intuition? Or a pot of Bliss?

Come 5pm, it’s all about tapas plus deli and cheeseboards – ideal for the pre and post-theatre markets from The Playhouse around the corner.

Private art collection

I think I am right in saying that 24 Royal Terrace will be the only Edinburgh hotel to feature a private collection of original art, estimated to be worth £500,000.

The collection includes works by John Bratby, Robin Philipson, Sir Terry Frost and John Cunningham as well as Scottish artists John Bellany, Peter Howson, Steven Campbell, Henry Kondracki and John Houston, plus a selection of aboriginal art.