The Balmoral, A Rocco Forte Hotel

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel located at the prestigious 1 Princes Street in Edinburgh is an iconic hotel. In Gaelic, the word balmoral translates to “majestic dwelling” and that’s exactly what it feels like. The hotel was originally built in 1902 for the North British Railway company and porters would take guests from their trains at Waverley Station to an elevator that led straight to reception. This Victorian-era baronial style property remains one of the Scottish capital’s most luxurious and sophisticated stays.

Today, The Balmoral is the flagship property of Sir Rocco Forte’s renowned luxury hotel group portfolio. At its head are Sir Rocco, his sister Olga and his three children. Behind it are four generations of Forte hoteliers. Each of their luxurious hotels across Europe and Asia warmly welcome you as a guest of the family. 

At The Balmoral, there are 167 stylish rooms and 20 elegant suites that offer an invitation to experience and enjoy Scottish heritage. The design, as envisioned by Olga Polizzi, exudes the Forte’s innate Anglo-Italian style. Many of the rooms feature views out over Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, and the Old Town. With thoughtful amenities and beautiful furnishings, the accommodations are designed to make one feel at home.

Upon walking into my Classic Suite, I was quite excited to find a basket of Scottish strawberries as well as gin and tonics for two. The suite featured a beautiful view of Edinburgh Castle, was quite generous in size and the botanically-inspired artwork on the walls were oh so elegant. Our marble bathroom featured glamorous black and white art prints, alongside a luxurious selection of Asprey toiletries, creating a sense of opulence. 

In 2007, renowned Author, J.K. Rowling made one of the elegant suites her home while she wrote Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The J.K. Rowling Suite is the most in-demand accommodation and is quite distinct with a bright purple door with owl knocker. It’s full of light, features stunning views of Calton Hill, and is adorned with quirky items.

To mark the momentous occasion of writing her seventh and final installment in the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling signed a statue of Hermes in her suite. If you’re a Harry Potter fanatic, a stay in The J.K. Rowling Suite should be on your bucket list! 

At The Balmoral, there are so many stunning accommodations to select from, you may have a hard time choosing!

If you need a bite to eat, there’s an array of extraordinary fine-dining options to select from:

• Number One, where Michelin-starred modern Scottish cuisine meets world-class service
• Brasserie Prince, where exceptional Scottish produce meets fine French cooking
• Award-Winning Afternoon Tea at Palm Court that’s fit for royalty

As a Suite guest, I enjoyed a complimentary breakfast at Brasserie Prince – a nice perk! The menu featured classic items as well as a hearty Scottish Breakfast.

As for bars:

• SCOTCH carries one of the most extensive spirit selections in the city – choose from more than 500 drams
• Bar Prince serves beautifully and simply prepared classic cocktails in a glamorous atmosphere

As part of Summer of Love at The Balmoral, Bar Manager Giovanni Cassino curated a unique menu for friends and neighbors that feature a selection of re-imagined classics. 

My boyfriend, Matthew and I sipped on the following cocktails:

Melon Gin Fizz – Gin, Midori, lemon juice, simple syrup, topped up with soda water

Scottish Bloody Mary – Vodka mixed with tomato juice and bloody Mary mix, perfumed with Smoked whisky

They were beautifully presented and tasted delightful.

The Neighborhood Cocktail Club is available every Friday between 5pm-7pm in Bar Prince (from 21st May 2021) and cocktails on the special menu are £13.00 each.

If you need a day to relax and recharge, check out The Balmoral Spa. It’s rare to find such a large spa at European city hotel and the sumptuous spa facilities include an indoor pool, Finnish sauna and five treatment rooms. It will be sure to relax and revive you. 

Sir Rocco Forte’s daughter, Irene Forte oversees Wellness at Rocco Forte Hotels and also has a sustainable skincare brand that’s handmade in Italy. Irene Forte refers to it as “the Mediterranean diet for your skin”. Guests can have an indulgent massage using their choice of Irene Forte Skincare body oil at The Balmoral Spa.

Throughout my stay, the service was warm, intuitive, and there was incredible attention to detail. Everyday, a picture perfect basket of Scottish strawberries was delivered to my room and I looked forward to turndown service each evening. Also, the kilted doormen always provided a hearty Scottish welcome. 

The Balmoral Hotel is a truly magical and memorable escape. It’s so wonderful that you won’t want to leave. It was my first stay at a Rocco Forte hotel and I very much look forward to experiencing more of their hotels!