From the floor-to-ceiling window of the vivid Italian abode of Hotel Missoni, I look down on the cobbled Royal Mile - Edinburgh's high street. It's a Saturday and the streets of the surrounding Old Town bustle with tourists buying cashmere scarves, tweed rugs and kilts. Creative buskers - including a suited, "headless" man reading a newspaper, and obligatory bagpipe players - attempt to solicit a pound or two from the stream of visitors heading for the imposing Edinburgh Castle. Locals have gathered in the historic Grassmarket for a pint in the fading afternoon light. Downstairs, fashionistas gather for traditional afternoon tea with a Missoni twist. Looking across the rooftops, the distinctive crown steeple of St Giles' Cathedral, often referred to as the "cradle of Presbyterianism", is visible, and beyond are the low-lying hills of Holyrood Park.

Hotel Missoni, the fashion powerhouse's first luxury lodging, brings a dash of bold Italian glamour to historic Edinburgh. Here, silvered headboards, colourful lacquered furniture, Missoni sheets, trademark zigzag cushions and bedspreads, free mini bars and prosecco on tap deliver a decidedly different luxury hotel experience to Scotland's ancient capital. The foyer alone is a jolt to the senses, with the designer's trademark zigzags, geometric patterns and vibrant hues juxtaposed jarringly against the city's ancient origins.

My Maggiore room is a compact (28 square metres) but cleverly designed space with king bed, Missoni fabrics, robes, sheets and products, colourful artworks, egg-shaped chairs, beaded curtains and shagpile rugs.

All 136 rooms and suites pack a style punch (lower floor rooms lack views), with free non-alcoholic mini bar, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso machines and black-tiled wet rooms with walk-in showers.

Located at the heart of Edinburgh with its tangle of cobblestoned laneways, the rainbow-coloured five-star hotel is ideally positioned for exploring the Old Town. Nearby is the Knights of the Thistle Chapel, the National Museum and National Gallery of Scotland, the Scottish Parliament, the royal yacht Brittania and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official Scottish residence. Turn right outside the striking lobby, where handsome Missoni-kilted doorman stand guard among the oversized mosaic urns, and head along Edinburgh's exclusive George IV Bridge for the Greyfriars Bobby Statue. Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye terrier who became known in 19th-century Edinburgh for supposedly spending 14 years guarding the grave of his owner.

Here you'll also find Greyfriars Kirkyard, where its graveyard apparently has the most active poltergeist in the world, while a downhill stroll will take you to the mediaeval trading area of Grassmarket, now a lively bar and restaurant strip lying in the shadow of the castle. A brisk five-minute walk to the left of the hotel will take you to the retail hub of Princes Street with Top Shop, Marks and Spencer, Zara and other high-street chain stores in the New Town, which, along with Edinburgh's Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Just beyond Princes Street lies the charming village of Stockbridge, with its sandstone bridge over the River Leith, cheesemonger, boutiques and thrift shops.

Closer to the hotel, Brew Lab Coffee's young and talented baristas serve up excellent single-origin coffee and home-style food in a hip space.

A must-do experience is Missoni's signature afternoon tea with homemade scones, deluxe finger sandwiches and Italian delicacies served on striking black-and-white china. It's also worth dining in at least one night at Missoni's award-winning Cucina Italian restaurant.

Alternatively, grab a seat on one of the Missoni-print sofas in the funky bar and order a Bella Carina cocktail - a fruity prosecco blend - before heading next door to Ondine Restaurant with its menu that champions Scottish seafood.

The writer travelled courtesy of Visit Britain and Virgin Atlantic.

Three more designer hotels

BULGARI, BALI

One of three Bulgari branded hotels, this elegant Italian beauty sits atop the rugged Butik Peninsula and offers 59 free-standing, bamboo-and-coconut-thatch-roofed villas made of hand-hewn volcanic stone and rare Javanese hardwood with private plunge pools, black basalt bathrooms, Bulgari toiletries and jaw dropping views. An ocean view villa is priced from $US1100 ($1190) a night.

See bulgarihotels.com.

PALAZZO VERSACE, GOLD COAST

Decadent fashion branded six-star luxury hotel with a waterfront setting. Think intricate Italian mosaics, acres of marble, vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, private pool cabanas, silver service dinners and traditional English high tea served on Versace crockery. Rooms from $349 including buffet breakfast and upgrade to a lagoon room mid-week.

See palazzoversace.com.au.

SOFITEL SO, BANGKOK

Christian Lacroix's imitable touch gives this 30-storey hotel the wow factor. The fashion legend was entrusted with the artistic direction of the hotel: adding the unsurpassed French touch within the hotel's public space, including the hotel emblem, two vast frescos on the top floor club lounge and designing the staff uniforms. All 238 rooms are linked to an "element" and boast their own story (wood, metal, water, earth and fire). Rooms start from $181.

See sofitel.com.

Sheridan Rhodes

TRIP NOTES

MORE INFORMATION

visitbritain.org; hotelmissoni.com.

WHERE

1 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, Scotland.

HOW MUCH

Rooms from $278 a night.

TOP MARKS

Free non-alcoholic mini bar, and location, location, location.

BLACK MARK

The constant drone of the bagpipes can get you down, but thankfully even Edinburgh's buskers eventually need to sleep.