First look at a £4.6 million makeover of a historic hotel which used to be Edinburgh University's halls of residence - and they are looking for a former resident to open it

One lucky former resident will win a stay and the chance to open the hotel

The revamp took place over the last year and cost 4.6 million

A major £4.6 million refurbishment to modernise and refresh one of Edinburgh’s city centre hotels has now been completed.

The 108-room Salisbury Green Hotel and Bistro renovation took place over the last year –with the final phase of the makeover within its Mansion House now finished.

History is encased in building

The hotel was formerly the main halls of residence for Edinburgh University

Mansion House was originally built in the 1750s for an Edinburgh merchant named Alexander Scott. The supporting walls of this house are still encased within the existing building.

The collection of 36 en-suite twin, double and single bedrooms within Mansion House now boast brand new mattresses and furnishings, while the decor retains the original character of the 18th century building.

Salisbury Green Hotel and Bistro is owned by The University of Edinburgh and operated by Accommodation Catering and Events under their commercial brand Edinburgh First.

Lyndsay Wilkie, Director of Business Development said: “This marks the end of an intensive period of renovation at Salisbury Green Hotel and Bistro and we don’t think there will be any disappointment among our guests.

“We have the best of both on offer there’s rooms that appeal to all kinds of visitors, whether you’re looking for something modern or more traditional.”

Hotel is former halls of residence

The hotel’s lengthy history it has belonged to the Dick family of Prestonfield House and Edinburgh publisher William Nelson before being purchased by Sir Donald Pollock after whom the University’s main halls of residence is named – in the early 1940s.

From then it became a residence for students of the University of Edinburgh until 2006 when it was converted to a hotel and conference centre.

Now the team behind the major refurb are offering the VIP ribbon-cutting duties to somebody who lived in the Mansion House when it served as halls of residence and who can tell of what staying there meant to them at the time.

To apply, the former residents are being asked to recall what Mansion House meant to them as their likely first home-from-home, to be sent along with their name, address and contact details to [email protected] or posting a letter to Pollock Halls of Residence, 18 Holyrood Park Road, Edinburgh, EH16 5AY by 31 January 2020.

Along with the ribbon cutting they will receive a complementary bed and breakfast stay for two - and the chance to see how neighbouring student accommodation has evolved over the years.