Fingal Hotel in Leith named Europe's Leading Boutique Hotel
Floating hotel Fingal has won two titles at the World Travel Awards 2026, putting Edinburgh's Port of Leith in the international spotlight.
Luxury floating hotel Fingal has been named both Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel and Scotland’s Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards 2026, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce reported.
The awards, voted for by travel industry professionals and the travelling public, recognise Fingal’s commitment to excellence and the dedication of its crew, whose attentive, personalised service has helped establish the hotel among Scotland’s most distinctive luxury stays, according to Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to celebrate excellence across the global travel, tourism and hospitality sectors, the Chamber said.
The double award is also described as a significant moment for Leith and Edinburgh’s waterfront visitor economy, with guests travelling from around the world to stay aboard Fingal said to support local businesses, restaurants, attractions, suppliers and tourism partners.
Since opening in 2019, Fingal has welcomed guests from across the globe, many of whom extend their stay to explore Leith and Edinburgh, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said. Alongside neighbouring attraction The Royal Yacht Britannia, the hotel has helped showcase the area’s maritime heritage while contributing to its emergence as a destination in its own right, the Chamber added.
Franck Bruyere, Chief Executive of The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, which owns and operates Fingal, said: “To be recognised as both Europe’s Leading Boutique Hotel and Scotland’s Leading Boutique Hotel is an incredible honour. These awards mean so much because they are voted for by our guests and industry peers.”
Fingal was originally built as a Northern Lighthouse Board vessel serving Scotland’s remote west coast communities before its transformation into a luxury floating hotel in 2019. It now welcomes thousands of guests each year, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce said.
The hotel offers 23 nautical-inspired cabins, including the Skerryvore Suite with a private deck and four duplex cabins, a ballroom accessed by sweeping staircases, and dining in the Lighthouse Restaurant, which holds 2 AA Rosettes, according to the Chamber.