The Balmoral Hotel

The quality of the Balmoral can never be faulted - from the welcome received from the porter staff & from those on reception through the breakfast team & the servicing of the room. Excellent all round. The quality of the hotel and it’s location can not be bettered in Edinburgh.

The quality of the Balmoral can never be faulted - from the welcome received from the porter staff & from those on reception through the breakfast team & the servicing of the room. Excellent all round. The quality of the hotel and it’s location can not be bettered in Edinburgh.

The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh is a wonderful place to stay. The room we had, which was a classic room was very spacious and very clean. It had wonderful decor and all the amenities you would expect. Check in and check out was quick and easy, It’s an opulent property...

The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh is a wonderful place to stay. The room we had, which was a classic room was very spacious and very clean. It had wonderful decor and all the amenities you would expect. Check in and check out was quick and easy, It’s an opulent property that is centrally located. Breakfast was fantastic and room service menu was excellent. I would highly recommend the property.

Stayed for a long weekend for my wife's birthday. Staff very welcoming and friendly. Food good especially in the bistro and breakfasts very good. The room was supposed to be a castle view junior suite but nothing like the photo on the web site. Identical room but the three windows...

Stayed for a long weekend for my wife's birthday. Staff very welcoming and friendly. Food good especially in the bistro and breakfasts very good. The room was supposed to be a castle view junior suite but nothing like the photo on the web site. Identical room but the three windows faced onto Princess street with just the corner window looking towards the castle. We had room 404. The one shown on the web site is the opposite corner room 420. Very disappointing. But the room itself was fine. But if you want the real deal make sure the suite is in the corner the faces the castle and the old town. Just so you know

This is our favourite hotel in the UK, for us it just doesn’t get better, anywhere! Exceptional service, beautiful food and wine, a fabulous building in a great location. Rooms are classy and elegant with luxurious bathrooms. We have to drag ourselves out when we stay at The Balmoral!

WOW! Have walked past this hotel many times when in Edinburgh and always wanted to stay here, so we treated ourselves and booked a 1 night stay. From check in, getting in the room earlier than expected, to the actual STUNNING room (deluxe room) through to the bar in the...

WOW! Have walked past this hotel many times when in Edinburgh and always wanted to stay here, so we treated ourselves and booked a 1 night stay. From check in, getting in the room earlier than expected, to the actual STUNNING room (deluxe room) through to the bar in the evening and finally breakfast the next day, the whole experience was absolutely second to none. We’ve stayed in 5 star hotels before, but this hotel totally exceeded our expectations. It is a different level. Every single member of staff we encountered fell over themselves to chat/see if they could help and all genuinely looked proud to be there, which is something you cannot buy as an employer, so this reflects so well on the brand. Already looking to book another trip, we have deep hotel regret now we’re not there and cannot wait to go back!

Our 10-year anniversary stay at The Balmoral was meant to be a once-in-a-decade celebration, but instead, it was completely ruined by a series of shocking service failures, incompetence, and an outright refusal from management to properly rectify the situation. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this hotel...

Our 10-year anniversary stay at The Balmoral was meant to be a once-in-a-decade celebration, but instead, it was completely ruined by a series of shocking service failures, incompetence, and an outright refusal from management to properly rectify the situation. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this hotel does not operate at a five-star standard. Our check-in process was a complete disaster—the receptionist left us standing in silence for 15 minutes while struggling to find upgrade options, only to eventually offer us a single overpriced alternative (£350 extra per night). There was no apology, no explanation, just an awkward and unprofessional start to what should have been a special occasion. Then came another issue—we were given the wrong room number. After lugging our bags upstairs, we discovered that our keys didn’t work. I had to go all the way back down to reception, where another staff member casually informed me that we had been given incorrect details in the first place. Again, no apology, just sheer incompetence. When we finally got into our room, we were greeted with what was meant to be a “welcome card,” but instead, it misgendered my partner, despite the fact that I had been in contact with the hotel beforehand. This kind of mistake is not just careless—it’s outright offensive. It was particularly upsetting on what was supposed to be a special trip for us, and it left us feeling like The Balmoral either does not care about LGBTQ+ guests or simply does not prioritise guest experience at all. Despite raising these serious concerns, management failed to take any meaningful action to make things right. After multiple complaints, we were eventually upgraded for just one night, but this did nothing to undo the damage already done. Our first night—our actual anniversary—was ruined, and rather than offering a real solution, they offered a bottle of champagne and an empty apology. We made what should have been a reasonable request—a complimentary night in the future so we could experience The Balmoral properly, without the failures and stress we endured this time. Instead, management flat-out refused, despite the fact that the J.K. Rowling Suite was sitting empty that night, meaning they could have easily accommodated us to make amends. Instead, they offered a minor upgrade on a future visit—assuming we’d even want to return after such a terrible experience. It is crystal clear that The Balmoral does not care about its guests, nor does it take accountability for its mistakes. They had multiple chances to make this right, yet they refused at every opportunity. I would strongly advise anyone considering this hotel to look elsewhere. If you want a hotel that actually values its guests and understands what five-star service means, this is not the place for you. I will not be returning, and I will be encouraging others to do the same.

Excellent stay,,lovely room. Everyone was very attentive and friendly Nothing was too much trouble , We enjoyed the afternoon tea Everything was just Excellent. .. We also enjoyed the delights of the Whisky Room ,the atmosphere was great and we were informed of all the types of Whisky,,, 450,!!!!

We arrived at 7.30 in the morning, and went to the hotel to ask them to store our luggage- they were so accommodating and our room was ready which was a beautiful surprise after a long train journey! From the decor to the service , it was impeccable! We had...

We arrived at 7.30 in the morning, and went to the hotel to ask them to store our luggage- they were so accommodating and our room was ready which was a beautiful surprise after a long train journey! From the decor to the service , it was impeccable! We had 2 bathrooms one an accessible which were perfect

The Balmoral is absolute luxury. We have been on quite a few occasions and love this hotel. From it's welcome at the front steps,reception and all staff throughout the hotel there's always a smile. Rooms are spacious and spotless,bar elegant and relaxing. Afternoon tea is superb and a must try....

The Balmoral is absolute luxury. We have been on quite a few occasions and love this hotel. From it's welcome at the front steps,reception and all staff throughout the hotel there's always a smile. Rooms are spacious and spotless,bar elegant and relaxing. Afternoon tea is superb and a must try. Our latest visit was to No1 restaurant and what a treat. First class dining with excellent staff. Can't wait to go back

Stayed at The Balmoral beginning of February. Beautiful weather which added to our luxury and exquisite stay a The Balmoral. From entering and checking into leaving our whole stay was just wonderful. Bedroom overlooked Princes Street albeit high up but that gave us additional views. Bedroom was decorated to a...

Stayed at The Balmoral beginning of February. Beautiful weather which added to our luxury and exquisite stay a The Balmoral. From entering and checking into leaving our whole stay was just wonderful. Bedroom overlooked Princes Street albeit high up but that gave us additional views. Bedroom was decorated to a very high standard and had a lovely calm ambience. Bathroom was large and luxuriously finished off with lovely touches of extras you may need on a stayover. Large bed and extremely comfortable. Tuck down service just gives you another good feeling someone is looking after you. Breakfast wonderful, so many choices, brilliant service from staff. We will without doubt return to The Balmoral.. What's not to like! - Brilliant!

We had another fantastic stay at the Balmoral last weekend. Everything about the hotel is truly first class. We used the valet parking and were looked after by the concierge team who make you feel special and ensure arrival and departure is a wonderful experience. They also look after you...

We had another fantastic stay at the Balmoral last weekend. Everything about the hotel is truly first class. We used the valet parking and were looked after by the concierge team who make you feel special and ensure arrival and departure is a wonderful experience. They also look after you during your stay ensuring you have everything you need. Front of house staff at reception are friendly and efficient, which made the check-in and check-out experience smooth. Even though we arrived just after midday our room was ready which was a bonus. We were upgraded which was much appreciated—the room (450) was impressive, well-appointed, and spotless. We had dinner in Brasserie Prince on one evening. The service was exceptional and made dinner a relaxing experience. The menu offers French dishes, using local Scottish ingredients. Our choices of Scallops and Salmon for starters and Filet au Poivre and Rose Veal for mains were delicious. Lunch and pre-dinner drinks on both days were taken in Bar Prince. This is the best hotel bar we have ever visited; the choice of drinks is extensive, and service is outstanding. Giovanni and his team ensure you are looked after the moment you arrive. We had breakfast in Brasserie Prince on one morning and room service on the other, both were delightful. The thing that impresses us most about the hotel is that although like many businesses the turnover of staff since Covid has been high, the excellent standards at the Balmoral Hotel have never fallen. Every stay is consistent. Thank you everyone. We are back again on Saturday and looking forward to it.

Staying at the Balmoral made our visit to Edinburgh to celebrate our wedding anniversary, an extra special occasion. The staff were very attentive and friendly and seemed to go the extra mile to make sure everything was tip top. The hotel room was spacious, very comfortable and had everything you...

Staying at the Balmoral made our visit to Edinburgh to celebrate our wedding anniversary, an extra special occasion. The staff were very attentive and friendly and seemed to go the extra mile to make sure everything was tip top. The hotel room was spacious, very comfortable and had everything you needed including a lovely marble bathroom. The extremely large and super comfortable bed with silky smooth bedding was sublime ensuring a good nights sleep. We took advantage of the excellent room service and had our breakfast in our room which again was super. All in all FABULOUS, will definitely be staying at the Balmoral again.

We stayed for a celebration of our anniversary . From the moment we arrived the staff were friendly welcoming and helpful. A particular mention to Bernadette who went above and beyond to ensure our stay was extra special and perfect in every way. Our fantastic room, the evening dining and...

We stayed for a celebration of our anniversary . From the moment we arrived the staff were friendly welcoming and helpful. A particular mention to Bernadette who went above and beyond to ensure our stay was extra special and perfect in every way. Our fantastic room, the evening dining and breakfast experience and bar service were all outstanding. We were made to feel special throughout our whole stay and feel that this hotel and their staff make The Balmoral one of the best hotel experiences we have ever had and for that we thank you all.

It would be difficult to find the right words to describe how satisfactory has been our experience at the Balmoral. In general, it is also difficult to find perfection in every aspects that matters for us when travelling but we have been proven wrong by the Balmoral! They are really...

It would be difficult to find the right words to describe how satisfactory has been our experience at the Balmoral. In general, it is also difficult to find perfection in every aspects that matters for us when travelling but we have been proven wrong by the Balmoral! They are really striving for perfection!! The facility is spectacular in terms of location and the opulence and tradition the building portrays. The rooms respect the classical style with the modern comfort and the bars and restaurants are hitting the highest mark in terms of ambient and service. That said, the real icing on the cake is the STAFF and every single person that works there has only one mission: how to make your experience positively unforgettable. Nothing is a problem for the team at the Balmoral form the Concierge, the Housekeeping, the Front Desk, the Supervisors, Manager, etc. They are all systematically committed to make a difference. From the check in to the check out every detail is taken care. Still do not know how they manage to call every guest by name....and the hotel is not small with more than 160 rooms!! Therefore, a huge, enormous THANKS to all the staff and in particular to Karen and Jack who made our long weekend in Edinburgh amazing. To close and to make this review more credible, it is always important to balance the positive with some feedback on areas of opportunities and yes please next time we visit the city make sure you also take care of the Gale because the wind last weekend was very strong ;-). Well done and see you soon again.

Visited the Palm Court inside the Balmoral Hotel for a birthday treat afternoon tea. What an amazing experience ! The waiting staff were wonderful, attentive and very discreet . We were offered a choice of 88 different teas from all parts of the world, The food was outstanding, compliments to...

Visited the Palm Court inside the Balmoral Hotel for a birthday treat afternoon tea. What an amazing experience ! The waiting staff were wonderful, attentive and very discreet . We were offered a choice of 88 different teas from all parts of the world, The food was outstanding, compliments to the chefs. Throughout the afternoon we were serenaded by a talented harpist. An amazing experience that we whole heartedly recommend

My husband and I have had the most wonderful stay to mark my retirement and to explore the city. We were inspired by a documentary on the history and ownership of this iconic hotel, well worth a watch. On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the doorman in his traditional...

My husband and I have had the most wonderful stay to mark my retirement and to explore the city. We were inspired by a documentary on the history and ownership of this iconic hotel, well worth a watch. On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the doorman in his traditional clothing as per the documentary! Reception staff, equally welcoming, especially Front Desk Manager Jack Howlett who chose one of his favourite rooms for us. He was equally attentive when a few issues were raised and got them resolved. Thank you to the housekeeping team, in particular Chummy whom I understand spent a considerable amount of time to ensure the room was to perfection. This was further acknowledged by Greg Leat Guest Relations Manager. It is the staff that make this hotel so welcoming and ensure the quality of service; certainly a credit to Rocco Forte. We also treated ourselves to The Number One Restaurant within the hotel. Absolutely amazing; delicious food cooked to perfection and catered for a fussy vegetarian. Again the staff add to the overall experience and ambience. It is our first experience of a Rocco Forte Hotel, and look forward to trying out others.

I went here for my 50th birthday as a surprise from my wife. When we arrived we was very looked after by Brain from concierge he was absolutely lovely. The room was amazing, absolutely spotless with everything we could ever need and great views. During are stay all staff was...

I went here for my 50th birthday as a surprise from my wife. When we arrived we was very looked after by Brain from concierge he was absolutely lovely. The room was amazing, absolutely spotless with everything we could ever need and great views. During are stay all staff was so welcoming, polite and very knowledgeable especially Mark the doorman. We would really like to thank Elena for showing us around the hotel it is truly a beautiful amazing hotel. We definitely stay here again not just for the hotel but also the amazing staff. Thank you all so much for making a very memorable birthday.

I hardly have the words for how lovely our experience was. First of all, our incoming train had issues, so we had to switch, and wound up arriving 45 minutes later than expected, which put us arriving 5 minutes late for our afternoon tea reservation in the Palm Court. Instead...

I hardly have the words for how lovely our experience was. First of all, our incoming train had issues, so we had to switch, and wound up arriving 45 minutes later than expected, which put us arriving 5 minutes late for our afternoon tea reservation in the Palm Court. Instead of the reservation being cancelled, we were assured that we looked perfectly fine in what we were wearing and to go right on in, and they would bring our luggage to our room and not to worry about anything. Y'all. Never in my life have I been treated so sweetly during such a stressful moment (I hate being late). Afternoon tea at Palm Court is a must, by the way. The room is beautifully decorated, service is top notch, and the food is as pretty as it is delicious. After tea, we were escorted to our suite, which was a surprise upgrade in honor of it being our 20th anniversary. I can't possibly thank them enough. We were astounded. Rothesay Suite is stunning and green/cream color scheme was so relaxing. The marble bathroom was always sunny and perfect for doing makeup. Bathrobes and slippers were plush and comfy. Water pressure was perfection. The list goes on. I will say that the bed is very firm, but I have no doubt that if I'd asked the front desk for help, they would have sorted something out for me. As it was, though, I didn't really mind it. We also made use of Scotch bar (phenomenal) as well as Bar Prince. Staff in both were very friendly. The champagne cocktails in Prince are fantastic, and if you like oysters, you owe it to yourself to try the ones with champagne gel and caviar. Literally the best oyster I have ever eaten in my whole life. Anyway, TL;DR, if you want to treat yourself and be treated well while doing so, book your stay at the Balmoral. I feel like my long review isn't glowing enough for how wonderful of an experience we had, so you'll just need to go see for yourself. Trust me :)

Although we had never been to Edinburgh before, we picked the Balmoral based on the reviews of others that had stayed there. This was a extremely well appointed hotel with outstanding customer service. We would highly recommend it to anyone traveling to Edinburgh.

Stayed at The Balmoral to celebrate my birthday with my husband. We had a fabulous experience - the warm welcome from Bernadette at check in, the delicious lunch in Brasserie Prince, cocktails at the bar and a fabulous breakfast where we were looked after well by Caulder. The room was...

Stayed at The Balmoral to celebrate my birthday with my husband. We had a fabulous experience - the warm welcome from Bernadette at check in, the delicious lunch in Brasserie Prince, cocktails at the bar and a fabulous breakfast where we were looked after well by Caulder. The room was comfortable and perfect and I loved the birthday treats. Would love to return.

Beautiful experience from start to finish. My husband and I stayed for three nights in a deluxe room. Faultless experience end to end, incredibly attentive service from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. The room was incredibly comfortable and spacious with wonderful decor and breakfast and evening...

Beautiful experience from start to finish. My husband and I stayed for three nights in a deluxe room. Faultless experience end to end, incredibly attentive service from the moment we arrived to the moment we left. The room was incredibly comfortable and spacious with wonderful decor and breakfast and evening meals were excellent. We will be back and a sincere thank you to all the amazing staff who made our stay so welcoming.

The hotel is exquisite. The service is impeccable. There are very, very many things to like about The Balmoral. The central lobby is wonderful, staffed with excellent staff. The bar is a beautiful environment, filled with amazing drinks and attentive staff. The restaurant is next to the bar. The areas...

The hotel is exquisite. The service is impeccable. There are very, very many things to like about The Balmoral. The central lobby is wonderful, staffed with excellent staff. The bar is a beautiful environment, filled with amazing drinks and attentive staff. The restaurant is next to the bar. The areas between the lifts and rooms were beautiful and the room itself was specious and comfortable. The bathroom was perfect, deep bath, lovely shower, wonderful towels! Now to the bits that didn't quite reach the highs expected. The bed while big and comfy, left us both feeling unrefreshed each morning. We had a meal in the Brasserie, I had burnt pork chop and the missus had turbot. Missus loved her meal.

Beautiful hotel wonderful rooms and excellent food made us feel so special and can’t wait to return The restaurants were above and beyond best food we have ever eaten! Breakfasts were fresh and tasty with attentive staff A very clean hotel with wonderful spa and treatments