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The Balmoral

The Balmoral

Edinburgh, The UK

The Balmoral

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The entrance hall of The Balmoral, with its high ceiling and glorious flower arrangements, gives a taste of the opulence to come in a building that began life as a hotel in 1902. Located right in the heart of Edinburgh, The Balmoral enjoys views across the hills, spires and monuments of the city. The room decor is traditional, with deluxe fabrics and local Scottish artwork, while the hotel’s public areas have fireplaces, stained glass windows and hand-painted silk wallpaper. Dining options here are superb: the hotel has a Michelin-starred fine-dining restaurant as well as an excellent brasserie and whisky bar.

OUR OPINION:

The Balmoral is one of our preferred hotels in Edinburgh, you can’t beat it for location and classic, deluxe grandeur.

OUR RATING: Deluxe

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Audley Travel Specialist Lydia

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Photos of The Balmoral

  • The Balmoral, Edinburgh
    The Balmoral, Edinburgh
  • The Balmoral, Edinburgh
    The Balmoral, Edinburgh
  • The Balmoral, Edinburgh
    The Balmoral, Edinburgh
  • The Balmoral, Edinburgh
    The Balmoral, Edinburgh
  • The Balmoral, Edinburgh
    The Balmoral, Edinburgh

Rooms

Rooms are tastefully decorated in the russet and purple shades of the Scottish landscape. The marble bathrooms all have a shower over the bath except the deluxe suites, which have separate baths and showers. Room types vary mainly by size and view. Classic rooms overlook the internal courtyard, executive and deluxe rooms have views of either the courtyard or the city, and superior deluxe rooms look out over the city. The junior suites either overlook the internal courtyard or the city, its gardens and the castle. All rooms have TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Location

The Balmoral is situated on the eastern end of Princes Street, directly above Waverley Station, with which the hotel used to be associated as a ‘grand railway hotel’. Both Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns are within easy distance on foot, and the concierge team can give you accurate walking times to the main attractions. Alternatively, the nearest taxi rank is directly outside the hotel’s front door and the nearest tram station is a five-minute walk further up Princes Street.

Food and drink

The Balmoral’s main restaurant, Number One, has held its Michelin star for over ten years and offers à la carte and tasting menus. Hadrian’s Brasserie serves an à la carte menu of classic dishes using regional produce in a more informal setting. Afternoon tea is served in Palm Court, an elegant room with a glass-domed ceiling and a Venetian chandelier. The Balmoral Bar is the hotel’s cocktail venue, while Scotch, the hotel’s whisky bar, boasts over 400 whiskies.

Facilities and activities

The Balmoral has a spa with a 15 m (49 ft) indoor pool, a steam room, a sauna, relaxation and treatment rooms and a gym.

Tour ideas in Edinburgh

Our itineraries are there to spark ideas for how you could include a stay at The Balmoral as part of your trip. Treat them simply as suggestions, because every aspect of the trip we create for you will be yours to define.

Location & places nearby

Places & hotels on the map

    Alternative places to stay nearby

    Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.

    View all accommodation in Edinburgh

    Experiences while staying here

    The following activities are designed to give you the most authentic experiences of the area where you're staying. We work with local guides, who use their knowledge and often a resident's eye to show you the main sights and more out-of-the-way attractions. Our specialists can also suggest outdoor pursuits and activities, such as cooking classes, that will introduce you to the traditions of the area's inhabitants.

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      Linlithgow Palace

      Castles and palaces of Edinburgh's surrounds

      Castles and palaces of Edinburgh's surrounds

      Explore some of the numerous historic monuments that litter the countryside around Edinburgh on a full-day tour of the region's most interesting castles, stately homes and palaces. Visit elaborate chapels, country manors and strategic defense positions as you learn about the region's history.

      View details
    • Eat Walk Edinburgh tasting trail
      Glass of whisky

      Eat Walk Edinburgh tasting trail

      Eat Walk Edinburgh tasting trail

      Discover Edinburgh's thriving food scene on a half-day walk around the city streets, stopping off to sample local, national and international food and drink along the way in the company of a passionate guide and a host of engaging restaurateurs.

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    • Ghosts and ghouls of Edinburgh's Old Town tour
      Edinburgh Castle

      Ghosts and ghouls of Edinburgh's Old Town tour

      Ghosts and ghouls of Edinburgh's Old Town tour

      Brave Edinburgh's darkest corners on a two-hour walking tour that leads you down narrow laneways and into underground vaults to hear stories of murder, mystery and intrigue and get an insight into the illicit goings-on in the medieval city.

      View details
    View all activities in Scotland

    Edinburgh and nearby places