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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

Cheval The Edinburgh Grand

Rooms : 50

Holiday Type : luxury staycations, city breaks, summer breaks, family breaks, golf, luxury romantic breaks, shopping breaks, expat relocation, student accommodation

Sheen Falls Lodge

Sheen Falls Lodge, a privately owned 5 star country house is fortunate to be located in one of the most beautiful places in the world.  Situated on the Wild Atlantic Way in the bay of Kenmare, there are views of cascading waterfalls, the delightful bay itself and also the magnificent McGillicuddy Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland looming in the distant sky.

A Condé Nast Award winner, this five-star Relais & Chateaux hotel is best described as “classic luxury” with all rooms enjoying breath-taking views.

Rooms : 60 spacious bedrooms and suites   Type : Couples, Family, Outdoor Active

 

 

The Merrion Hotel

The Merrion is undoubtedly one of the best hotels in Dublin. The facade represents the elegant Georgian architecture for which Dublin is so famous making this hotel a true piece of Dublin’s history. Situated just minutes from St Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square, staying here you could no be better located to explore the city. The hotel’s interiors reflect the authentic, historic exterior as it comes complete with two period gardens designed to reflect and replicate the atmosphere of the 18th century. The hotel also has a strong reputation for dining as its restaurant is the only one in the entire country to hold two Michelin stars.

Rooms : 145 Bedrooms and Suites   Type : Couples, Family, City Breaks

View entire accommodation collection

Edinburgh

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