DESTINATION
For over a century, The Balmoral has found a home at Edinburgh’s most prestigious address, No. 1 Princes Street. A landmark Rocco Forte hotel set in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, The Balmoral combines stunning views and warm hospitality with world-class facilities to create the perfect urban retreat.
In 2021, The Balmoral was named as the first and only hotel in Scotland to receive a Five-Star award from the world-renowned Forbes Travel Guide. The Balmoral was also ranked as the Top Hotel in The U.K. in the Condé Nast Traveler 2019 Readers' Choice Awards.
Standing proud since 1902, the historic building’s majestic clock tower still dominates the Edinburgh skyline. Its clock is set precisely three minutes fast, to ensure residents never miss their train. In fact, the only day the clock is set correctly is Hogmanay for the city’s New Year celebrations.
The Balmoral is the perfect home-from-home to discover Edinburgh and Scotland’s finest attractions. Whatever the season, the hotel’s dedicated Concierge team can open doors to some of the most unique experiences in Scotland. From tickets to the world-famous Edinburgh Festival events, access to the city’s royal establishments - Holyrood Palace and the Royal Yacht Britannia – to the hotel’s Tartan Butler Clan Tour, you’ll find the best of Scotland at your finger tips.
ROOMS & SUITES
The perfect marriage of tradition and modernity, each of the 167 rooms and 20 suites has been individually designed by Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design Olga Polizzi. Elegant and stylish with unmistakably Scottish accents, the suites at The Balmoral are generous with magnificent views.
As part of a multimillion pound upgrade, The Balmoral refurbished its presidential suite, the Scone & Crombie Suite, in 2018. Named after the iconic Scone Palace in Perthshire, the signature suite has been designed as the ultimate city base for families or urban enclave for heads of state and VIPs. The flexible accommodation – which stretches to 198 square metres - can be booked as a two or three bedroom suite.
MEETINGS & EVENTS
If you are looking for private dining and meeting rooms with the best views in the city, The Balmoral has the answer. Excellent cuisine is guaranteed with our bespoke private dining menus.
From weddings and gala balls to business meeting or private events, The Balmoral presents 10 well-equipped event spaces suitable for 15 to 400 guests. All suites are filled with natural daylight and many have views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town, offering a mesmerising backdrop for your event. The Forte family’s impeccable style of service, meanwhile, draws guests back time and time again.
DINING AT THE BALMORAL
Excellent cuisine is guaranteed at The Balmoral. Overseen by Executive Chef, Gary Robinson, Brasserie Prince celebrates the very best of Scottish produce with classic French cooking. Serving seasonally inspired, classic bistro dishes that harmonise quintessentially French flavours with local ingredients. At Bar Prince the ambience is relaxed yet convivial. Guests can enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif, sit in the cosy library by the fire for an after dinner drink or sample cocktails at the long, marble bar counter for a fun night out.
Opened in 1997, Number One has proudly retained one Michelin star since 2003. The restaurant also holds 4 AA Rosettes and offers modern dining coupled with world class Scottish hospitality. Head Chef Mathew Sherry creates seasonal Scottish dishes by combining classic flavours with modern flair.
Palm Court, set in the heart of the hotel, is an Edinburgh institution that’s as glittering as its glass dome and Venetian chandelier. The place to sample modern Afternoon Tea and a wide selection of loose leaf teas, coffee and pastries.
The Balmoral’s signature whisky bar, SCOTCH, pays homage to Scotland’s national drink and is home to one of Edinburgh’s largest collections. Take a seat on one of the tweed sofas and let our kilted Whisky Ambassadors help you choose from over 500 varieties.
RELAXATION AT THE BALMORAL
For relaxation, The Balmoral Spa is a serene sanctuary in the heart of the city - the perfect place to escape the pace of city life. The spa boasts 5 treatment rooms, a 15m swimming pool, Finnish sauna, Turkish steam room, Spa Bar and a state-of-the-art quad layout Technogym-equipped gym. Exclusive to Rocco Forte Hotels, the newly launched Irene Forte Skincare line offers a range of treatments harnessing the power of handpicked active ingredients from Italy.
