The Balmoral

About The Balmoral

The Balmoral opened in 1902 as the North British Hotel, a luxury railway hotel adjacent to Waverley Station. Today it’s a thoroughly modern operation, run by Rocco Forte, but this majestic old Edwardian landmark is still one of Edinburgh’s most elegant hotels, every bit as grand as it was a century ago. It’s obvious at a glance that this is the classic Edinburgh hotel, as doormen stand guard in full Highland regalia. Rooms are outfitted in a smart contemporary style, with striped carpets, robust modern furniture, and only isolated outbreaks of tartan. Colors are muted, reflecting the creams, greens and purples of the Scottish countryside. Despite the hotel’s historic pedigree, the rooms are on the spacious side, many with gas fireplaces — some overlook a central courtyard, and others the city and Edinburgh Castle. Some twenty suites are available, in configurations from one to three bedrooms—it’s no exaggeration to say that the 140-square-meter Scone & Crombie suite is among the most luxurious in the UK. And the spa downstairs features a fitness center and a 15-meter pool, should you need even more space to stretch out. Of course any number of restaurants and pubs are within a short walk, but the hotel’s own spots are worth a visit — Bar Prince is a classic, the bar Scotch has the largest collection of Scottish whiskeys in Edinburgh; and the restaurants include the stylish Brasserie Prince and Number One, the flagship fine-dining restaurant.

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