Hotel Snapshot
The Balmoral is, in every sense, an institution. Its storied history began as one of Scotland’s great railway hotels when the North British Railway Company opened the resplendent Renaissance and Edwardian-inspired hotel in 1902. It was the role of its 190-foot clock tower – set three minutes fast – to ensure travelers wouldn’t miss their trains. The property was given a new lease of life under the careful hand of Sir Rocco Forte when he acquired the hotel in 1997, investing millions of pounds to set the new standard of five-star service that it’s synonymous with today. Located at No. 1 Princes Street, bridging Edinburgh’s Old and New Town, the Balmoral couldn’t be better placed for guests to discover all that the city has to offer.
Design & Character
While every bit stately and classic, the hotel decor leans away from any moody and Gothic cliches and instead employs a peaceful tonal color palette picked from the moors, mists, and heathers of the Scottish Highlands. The layers of light blues, greens, and lavenders create a calming congruence, with lush textiles and well-placed antiques adding to the overall splendor. I clocked two accent chairs wrapped in the illustrious Scalamandré’s Marly Velvet fabric immediately upon stepping foot into the lobby.
My room was the Bowes-Lyon Suite, named after the Queen Mother (born Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) who would often dine at the hotel for lunch. The room was every bit built for grandiosity, with port-hole windows and floor-to-ceiling floral drapes that reminded me of the Royal Yacht (docked permanently in Edinburgh at the Leith shore). The added touch of a pillow embroidered with my own initials really did make me feel like a princess myself.
The Rooms
With 187 bedrooms and 20 suites, the hotel’s hyper-central location means that every room has a view, be it of Edinburgh Castle, Old Town, or Calton Hill. The rooms are tastefully decorated in a tonal palette of tartans and tweeds and the luxurious marble bathrooms are fitted out with Dyson hair dryers. Incredibly comfortable beds are made even better with your choice of pillow from the pillow menu – be it firm, hypoallergenic, or side-sleeper, it’s entirely up to you.
Food & Drink
Afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the Palm Court under the domed glass ceiling and striking Venetian chandelier while being serenaded by the resident harpist.
The 4AA Rossette-awarded ‘Number One’ fine dining restaurant is a fabulous option for dinner as the chef employs a hyper-seasonal menu with the best of Scottish produce, or you pop into the lively Brasserie Prince and Bar Prince which are a convivial French-inspired bistro and cocktail bar, respectively. No trip to the Balmoral would be complete without a stop into SCOTCH, the hotel’s signature whiskey bar that serves over 500 single malts from all across Scotland.
Amenities
No request is too much for the 24-hour concierge. I found this out because they mailed a parcel for me, retrieved a lost packing cube from my previous hotel, and opened my complimentary caviar for me in one fell swoop. Talk about full-service.
Spa & Wellness Scoop
The recently renovated Irene Forte spa is a sight to behold. Even if you don’t get further than the pistachio and mauve mosaic-clad front desk, you’ll be bathed in beauty regardless. With five treatment rooms and the Forte Vita Bar offering express manicures and pedicures, facials, and hair styling, my only regret is that I didn’t carve out more time to linger in here. I did pop in for a “Fit for You” massage and I must ask, is there a greater luxury than a heated massage bed? Perhaps one that’s also wide enough so that your arms don’t fall off the bed and go numb.
The heated indoor swimming pool is lined with loungers (and importantly, great magazines) and is bookended by a Finnish sauna and Turkish steam room. The fully-equipped gym (this is no typical hotel fitness center) spans three rooms and includes Reformer pilates machines and what seemed like every variation of the Technogym equipment suite. The circus wallpaper in the gym is also a delightful surprise.
Location & Neighborhood Recs
The Balmoral couldn’t be better situated for sightseeing. Turning left out of the hotel brings you face-to-face with a brilliant view of Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument, and the National Galleries. Heading down Princes Street past Waverly Station allows you to cross over into the Old Town and head to the Royal Mile (a tourist rite-of-passage) and Victoria Street.
Anyone booked into a Suite is entitled to the full ‘Suites and Beyond’ experience, which includes guest’s choice of a personalized Edinburgh experience, be it a guided whiskey tasting, a Potter Trail walking tour, tickets to Holyrood Palace and Mary King's Close, or another bespoke adventure.
Fast Facts
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Vibe: An elegantly opulent hotel steeped in Scottish history
Rating: 5-star
Room Count: 187 bedrooms and 20 suites
Pricing: Starts at $570 a night
Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The service. It’s a true best-in-class luxury experience
Dining: Whether you’re looking for award-winning Scottish fare at Number One, or a more laid-back but lively ambiance at Prince Brasserie, you’re sorted. It’s worth noting that in the suites, you get an endless amount of complimentary snacks delivered bedside throughout your stay (apricots, tangerines, spiced pecans, mull cheddar shortbread, I could go on!)
Amenities: Spa, gym, laundry service, twice-a-day housekeeping, 24-hour room service and concierge
Nearby Attractions: Edinburgh Castle, National Galleries of Scotland, Scott Monument, Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace
Airport: Edinburgh (EDI) is a 20-minute taxi ride away and the hotel is next door to Edinburgh’s Waverly Station
Edinburgh, Scotland
