Tag Archives: Hotel

Apex sketching to celebrate

A couple of watercolour paintings to mark the Apex chain of hotels becoming 25 years old.

From 1996 to 2021 the Apex hotels group have grown to 10 hotels around the UK, from the Grassmarket in Edinburgh to their latest with in the city of Bath.

To mark the achievement I was asked to draw a couple of scenes from one of their London hotels, the Apex Temple Court Hotel.

It is always an honour to be asked to use my style to capture a beautiful building, and always interesting to see where the client might use the image once drawn. For instance this could be used on brochures, advertising materials and even wall paper or draw linings as one of my pieces was used once in the past.

If you would like to discuss my corporate packages and rights to use my sketches for your busing then drop me a line at contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com

Rising from the waters

I had a tour of the Ocean Mist in Leith today, the newly restored ship on the shore has a new level, and some impressive plans.

Owners Alan and Nadia Pedley hope to open for business before the end of the year, and although there is still plenty to do their whole family is pitching in and I am sure they will get there on time.

The décor inside is high end, tailored wood panelling and beautifully designed ironwork guides you around the three story floating hotel.

The finishing touches nod to the art deco style of the 1920’s, from when the ship had its hey day and throughout the hotel you will find links to the boats glorious past.

I can’t wait to return once the Ocean Mist is ready for guests, to have a whisky at the bar and to be transported to the luxurious past, without even leaving the dock.

Follow the progress of the Ocean Mist on their Instagram page HERE

This sketch I made after the tour, whilst enjoying a fine coffee from Custom Lane

Yotel’s opening night bash, sketched in watercolours

Last week I was kindly invited to the opening night of a hotel on Queen Street, Edinburgh.

With hotels around the world the Queen Street address is Yotel’s first opening in Scotland, and sits in Erskine House, formerly office space looking out towards Fife.

Appealing to ‘independent, tech-savvy travellers’ it was only right we were greeted on the night by a robot, who asked our name and gave me a high five as I passed by.

Through out the night we were entertained by dancers and entertainers dressed in stunning outfits, some of which I managed to sketch during the evening.

Mrs Sketcher and I danced the night away in the club room while a number of DJs kept us dancing until the balloons fell from the sky!

Top night and the hotel has a modern, fun vibe. And the sketches below (drawn after the event from photos) are of a wonderful music and light dance by burlesque performer Vicky Butterfly. Click on the image to enlarge.

Yotel Edinburgh website

Happy 21st Birthday to Apex Hotels

Apex21st VenueCastleLast week Apex Hotels celebrated being 21 years old and I was invited to capture the occasion in sketches.

A party was held at the magnificent Heights venue on top of the Apex Grassmarket, which has fantastic views over Edinburgh Castle. I have visited before for breakfast and here is a link to by previous sketch.

It was nice to be back as Apex Hotels, who now have 4 venues in Edinburgh, turned 21 years old. Other locations include Haymarket and Waterloo Place.

Apex21st Castle

I tried to capture the atmosphere, colours and movement from the night with my sketchpad and watercolours as I mingled with guests and staff enjoying a rare night off to mark their achievements.

Gifts were given out throughout the night, including a voucher for an Edinburgh Sketcher commission and head chef Tony Singh provided delicious canapes for those enjoying the party.

Apex21st VenueCake

If you would like me to capture your event in sketches email me here to discuss details.

All sketches drawn on the night with pen and watercolours, and my water brush. 

Apex Hotels website

Apex21st Cupcake

WhereArtI : 21st November 2016 : Edinburgh

es_wai_211116Can you tell me where in Edinburgh I have sketched today?

If so click the link below to email me your answer. I will pick a random winner from all correct answers on Tuesday morning, and they will go on to the ‘Winners wall’. At the end of the month those on the wall will be entered into a draw to receive a prize.


The prize for November is Afternoon Tea for two with prosecco in the Mercure Hotel on Princes Street during Decemeber, overlooking the wonderful Christmas festivities in Edinburgh city centre. 

Enjoy a perfect selection of culinery delights during your Christmas shopping this year at the ideally situated Mercure Hotel on Edinburgh’s Princes Street.

Click HERE to enter your answer

Usually the answer will be within the Edinburgh boundaries, but on the first Monday of the month the competition is Scotland wide. Keep an eye on my facebook and twitter feed throughout the day for clues if they are needed.

I hope you join us to play along and keep looking up and noticing the details of Edinburgh, you never know where I will be sketching next time!

Enter via the link above or email contact@www.edinburghsketcher.com with the subject line ‘WhereArtI 21st November 2016’.

Mercure Hotel website

Afternoon Tea at The Scotsman Hotel’s North Bridge Brasserie.

ScotsmanHotel_AfternoonTea

The Scotsman Hotel commands stunning views over Edinburgh from it’s North Bridge location, and provides an Afternoon Tea to match even for those with particular dietary requirements.

As a ceoliac I follow a gluten free diet and although that is much easier to do so when supermarkets provide an ever increasing range of foods, eating out can be more hit and miss. Usually resulting in a dish simply missing certain items rather than a replacement added or substitute thought of.

Which is why I was so pleased to hear the North Bridge Brasserie has created a gluten free afternoon tea available alongside their regular option. As you can see from my sketch the three layered display was packed with tasty mouthfuls and beautiful creations. So much so my dining partner let out a ‘wow’, as the food arrived, not a sound usually heard when the gluten free option is unveiled.

Each of the miniature courses had been thought about too, sandwiches on both rye and wholemeal bread that was soft and well made. Both the Mull cheddar and Herb Scone and the classic Freshly Baked Fruit Scone with Butter, Clotted Cream and Selection of Preserves were extra ordinary treats, greatly appreciated by this non wheat eater.

Afternoon Tea at the North Bridge Brasserie is priced at £19.95 per person or £24.95 with a glass of Prosecco. See the website below for more details and to book.

 

The sketch was drawn in fine liner, with a watercolour wash.

 

North Bridge Brasserie website

The Scotsman Hotel website

 

Colour on the Balmoral

My sketch of The Balmoral looking over the North Bridge, this time coloured with a couple of pencil crayons, and scanned. I have kept two just two hues to keep the image simple, and stylised.

This view shows the rear of The Balmoral hotel, the front opens onto Princes Street. The clocks on the top of hotel all run five minutes fast, thought to be so Edinburgh business men and women don’t miss their trains! I’ve been grateful of those extra five minutes many a time rushing to work.