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The Balmoral

The Balmoral

The Rocco Forté Collection’s Balmoral hotel is a luxury hotel in the true sense of the word. Complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant, tranquil spa and kilted doormen, the hotel is one of the city’s premier properties. Situated in what was once the North British Station Hotel, the hotel lies in the heart of Edinburgh where Old Town meets New, a True Edinburgh icon at an unparalleled address. While many Edinburgh hotels claim to have Edinburgh’s landmarks on their doorstep, few can say their own doorstep is a landmark!

Rooms : 167 Bedrooms and 20 Suites   Type : Couples, Family, City Breaks

OVERVIEW

The Rocco Forté Collection’s Balmoral is situated in what was once the North British Station Hotel, a Victorian building with Scottish baronial influences.

Originally known as the North British, The Balmoral Hotel was acclaimed as one of the great railway hotels. Hotel porters in red jackets used to meet guests off the train at Waverley Station, taking them into a lift and whisking them from the station hall to the reception desk in the hotel. Though the hotel no longer boasts direct access to Edinburgh Waverley Station, the Balmoral continues to run its clock three minutes early, to ensure travellers never miss their trains.

The property boasting 167 bedrooms and 20 suites is stylish, modern and contemporary. This is evident from the moment you enter via the Lobby, through Palm Court or the most recently added, Scotch Bar.

HIGHLIGHTS

SCOTCH Whisky Experience

Choose from over 500 single malts and blends courtesy of SCOTCH, The Balmoral’s destination whisky bar. The kilted Whisky Ambassadors are on hand to take guests through one of Edinburgh’s largest collections of whisky.
Travel on a tailored journey to distilleries in the Highlands and Lowlands from the comfort of a tweed armchair.

Afternoon Tea Masterclass

Our Afternoon Tea Masterclass promises to unlock the history of a very British ritual in this unique offering for the city. Learn about the origins and etiquette of this tradition over delicate finger sandwiches, scones and expertly poured  A guided explanation of the finer points of Afternoon Tea – from the Scot who first took tea from China in the 19th century to the etiquette of the ritual.
5-course Afternoon Tea including homemade scones, sandwiches and a selection of seasonal pastries.

Balmoral Poet-in-Residence 

The Balmoral is proud to have Marcas Mac an Tuairneir, one of Scotland’s leading Gaelic poets as Poet-in-Residence, or Bàrd air mhuinntireas.

The Balmoral’s Poet-in-Residence can be pre-booked by guests staying at the hotel for a celebration or to commemorate a special occasion. Guests can select a pre-written Gaelic poem or develop a bespoke poem with Marcas, making for the perfect memento.

ACCOMMODATION

Executive Room

Comfortable and welcoming, the executive rooms at Balmoral have a combined bedroom and living space with king size or twin beds & a spacious en-suite. Decorated to reflect traditional Scottish style, these elegant rooms can be interconnected, making them suitable for families.

Deluxe Room

Comfortable and contemporary, these large rooms at The Balmoral have a choice of either a king size bed or two single beds, sitting area and spacious bathroom decorated in marble & ceramic with a large bath.

Superior Deluxe Room

Offering views of the Castle from their higher floor location, these rooms are between 18 and 37 sqm. Superior Deluxe rooms come furnished with marble bathrooms with James Bond prints and a king-size bed with the option of twin beds.

Junior Suite

As their name suggests, these suites benefit from views of the castle and are a step up in size (28-47sqm) from the Balmoral’s bedrooms with the option of an extra bed on request and a comfortable lounge area.

Junior Suite Castle View

As their name suggests, these suites benefit from views of the castle and are a step up in size (28-47sqm) from the Balmoral’s bedrooms with the option of an extra bed on request and a comfortable lounge area.

Classic Suite

The Balmoral’s first room/suite category with a separate bedroom and sitting room, a Classic Suite spans 44-66sqm, offering enough space for two extra beds for children to be added upon request. Views from these suites are either across the old town, Princes Street or Northbridge.

Grand Suite

Each of these suites measures between 51 and 55sqm and four are located in areas of the building affording turret-style alcoves. They are named Braemar, Stirling, Dunrobin, Tay and JK Rowling. A brass owl door knocker indicates the latter, the room where the final Harry Potter book was completed. Each suite has a king-size bed and enough space for two extra beds for children.

Deluxe Suite

All of these six suites are named after Scottish rivers or castles – Rothesay, Dee, Drummond, Brodick, Bothwell and Spey. Most have original working fireplaces and offer views of Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens are possible and there is the option to add an extra bed for children. (Each measure between 47 and 58 sqm)

Balmoral Suite

The Balmoral Suite offers guests a king size master bedroom, the option to interconnect with a Classic Room, separate dining room for six people, living room, bathroom and guest powder room. At 66 sqm this suite is ample in size and located so as to provide views of Arthur’s Seat and the historic old town.

Glamis Suite

A contemporary suite with sitting room views of Princes Street, Glamis measures 85 sqm and comprises a dining table for four and signature Balmoral bathroom. A king size bed comes as standard with the option for twin beds, an extra bed for children and the possibility to connect to an Executive Room.

Scone & Crombie

The signature suite at The Balmoral, this iconic residence is the largest offered at the hotel and offers the potential to sleep two adults and two children (extra beds added on request) and to be connected to an executive room. Views from the suite are over the historic Old Town and the interior is abundant in traditional and elegant Scottish touches.

Deluxe Old Town View Room

Comfortable and contemporary, these large rooms at The Balmoral have a choice of either a king size bed or two single beds, sitting area and spacious bathroom decorated in marble & ceramic with a large bath. These rooms benefit from beautiful views of the old town.

Deluxe Castle View Room

Comfortable and contemporary, these large rooms at The Balmoral have a choice of either a king size bed or two single beds, sitting area and spacious bathroom decorated in marble & ceramic with a large bath. These rooms benefit from fantastic views of Edinburgh Castle.

DINING

Experience the finest in luxury dining at the Balmoral’s restaurants.

Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux

Combining classic French cuisine with sublime Scottish produce, Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux is a chic, relaxed restaurant housed within the hotel

Number One

Number One is where Michelin-starred modern Scottish cuisine meets world-class service. Head Chef Mark Donald and his team have developed a menu fusing modern Scottish cuisine with international flair.

Sink into one of the dove grey wool banquettes and admire the contemporary art on the lacquered red walls, from pieces lent by London’s Royal College of Art, to Adam Ellis’ stunning Scottish oak triptych.

Palm Court

Enjoy award winning afternoon tea at the Palm Court. Take a seat under the green leaves of palm trees, under the sparkling glass dome and the Venetian chandelier. Listen to the harp, gently playing from the elegant gallery and ddmire the hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper. It’s difficult to imagine a more decadent, indulgent treat.

 

ACTIVITIES

 

EDINBURGH

Edinburgh is a breathtaking city with many bars, theatres and museums. Guest can visit the famous Edinburgh Castle which is within walking distance from the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh will certainly be a memorable visit.

If you don’t want to venture out of the hotel, there are a wide range restaurants and also the award winning Spa which has a pool, sauna, steam room, weights room and modern gym.

FAMILY

For little ones there is a special Owl Teddy Turndown Service. Babysitting, night lights and play mats are available.

Children can look forward Kids’ check-in cards, colouring books, comment cards and newspapers, as well as the special Rocco Forte Kids passport and Balmoral passport. The is a city activities fact sheet and activities. Not forgetting the all important rubber ducky for the bathroom! Special experiences for teens include teen spa treatments.

LOCATION

HOLIDAY IDEAS / SAMPLE ITINERARIES

See below for some itinerary ideas that can include The Balmoral.

Scotland: Art & Architecture

A Capital Adventure: London & Edinburgh

Tattoo and The Highlands

  • "Relaxed Elegance"

    Brownell Travel Educational Visit

  • "Luxury, Location, Service"

    Brownell Travel Educational Visit

  • "The Balmoral is THE place to stay"

    Brownell Travel Educational Visit

GET IN TOUCH
 

ACCOMMODATION COLLECTION

The Balmoral

The Rocco Forté Collection’s Balmoral hotel is a luxury hotel in the true sense of the word. Complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant, tranquil spa and kilted doormen, the hotel is one of the city’s premier properties. Situated in what was once the North British Station Hotel, the hotel lies in the heart of Edinburgh where Old Town meets New, a True Edinburgh icon at an unparalleled address. While many Edinburgh hotels claim to have Edinburgh’s landmarks on their doorstep, few can say their own doorstep is a landmark!

Rooms : 167 Bedrooms and 20 Suites   Type : Couples, Family, City Breaks

Heckfield Place

Tucked in the heart of Hampshire countryside, Heckfield Place is a haven – a living place that celebrates the slow and simple.  Steeped in history, yet fully connected to the present – a base from which to reconnect with the Great Outdoors and explore some of England’s most iconic sites. Nature and history coincide and sit on the doorstep – from sites like Stonehenge and Windsor Castle, to the rich woodlands, rolling parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty that make up the natural Hampshire landscape.

All just an hour from London…

Rooms: 45 rooms Ideal for: Couples, relaxation, re-energising and reconnecting

 

Crom Castle

Sleeps: 22   Bedrooms: 12  Bathrooms: 11

Type: Celebration, Family, Seclusion, Corporate

Features & Activities: Boating, fishing, tennis, rural

Location: Within 2 hours of Dublin & Belfast International airport

Those looking for: A castle experience, time to recharge or celebrate.

View entire accommodation collection

Edinburgh

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    Clients of Jessica Thompson, Fairway Travel, Virtuoso

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    Connie Hanes, Herff Travel

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    Client of Susan Morley, Journeys around the World, Cadence

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    Lauren Ainsley, Black Tomato

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    Clients of Kristen Meckem, Kristen Meckem Travel, An Affiliate of Brownell

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

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    The Pogue Family - Clients of Amy Spence, Strong Travel

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    Pat Bowden, Red Letter Travel, an independent affiliate of Brownell

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    Jennifer McCrea, Boutique Travel Advisors

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    Black Tomato Clients

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    Rob Arrow, Al Tayyar Group

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    Jean Newman-Glock, Signature Travel Network

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  • "Our holiday in Scotland now tops their lists of best trips…… To their growing list of amazing and memorable first-time experiences, our sons may add fishing for trout and salmon on the River Tay; steering a motor boat on Loch Ness; and taking private guided tours on Culloden Moor Of the eight full days we were in Scotland, Alex and Mattie thought each and every day was the best"

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