During our second week of Spring Break this March, we decided to take a visit to Scotland as our oldest daughter, a high school Junior, was interested in checking out the universities of St. Andrews and Edinburgh.  It was an easy decision to base ourselves for several nights at The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte property. Having stayed at their hotels in Berlin (Hotel de Rome), London (Browns), and Rome (Hotel de Russie), we were already loyal fans of the brand that is known for its design-oriented landmark hotels with deep connections in each of their local surroundings. 

Approaching the hotel for the first time, we passed the medieval fortress of Edinburgh Castle looming over the city on top of Castle Rock and then ultimately descended towards the majestic 115-year old hotel, The Balmoral, located on Princes Street where the Old and New Town intersects. To say the hotel makes a distinctive first impression is an understatement. Arthur’s Seat, the picturesque mountain that is an ancient volcano, looms in the backdrop. A traditionally dressed tartan-clad doorman waits at the grand entrance to greet and assist you. Depending on the day he may be in a kilt but at the very least, he’s tartan-clad.

The Balmoral opened its doors in 1902 as the North British Station Hotel. Similar to The Caledonian or ‘The Caley’ as locals refer to it (now the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh since 2012), The Balmoral was originally built as a railway hotel. Porters in red jackets would greet the guests off the train at Waverly Station below the hotel and whisk them to the hotel through a lift at the station hall directly up to the hotel reception desk. 

The clock tower and its turrets atop The Balmoral continue to remain one of Edinburgh’s most notable landmarks even after Sir Rocco Forte acquired the hotel in 1997. The clock was always (except on Hogmanay – Scotland’s New Years Eve, which it is exactly on time) and continues to be set three minutes fast so that you don’t miss your train. It is still exceptionally popular to take the four-hour train ride from London and arrive at Waverly station underneath the hotel. As a matter of fact, the next time I come to Scotland, I will arrange to do it this way.

Whether you arrive by air or by train at the Balmoral, today you are welcomed by an understated and beautiful lobby adorned by a grand floral arrangement in its center (something you can expect in every Rocco Forte hotel) that changes weekly. The hotel is just in the finishing stages of a five-year refurbishment plan that has included the renovation of most of its hotel rooms as well as all of its restaurants and bars.

ROOMS

Of the 188 rooms at the Balmoral, there are 168 rooms and 20 suites. Suites range from 12 Junior Suites starting at 500 square feet to the largest, Scone and Scrombie (named after Scone Palace in Perthshire) one of the largest suites (at 721 square feet) in Scotland, which was just unveiled after a beautiful renovation that includes cashmere turndown service with the luxury brand, Hawico.

All the Suites are named after Scottish castles and rivers with the exception of one special suite, #552. This is the J.K. Rowling Suite, where the famous author completed her final Harry Potter novel in 2007.  Recently renovated, the suite includes a signed marble bust of Hermes, her writing desk and a brass owl knocker on the door.

The current five-year renovation which is nearing completion includes all of the Junior Suites, Suites and external facing rooms overlooking the Old Town. As with the other Rocco Forte hotels, the design and decor was expertly supervised by Olga Polizzi (younger sister to Sir Rocco, there is a lot of talent in the family) who has brought a clean, contemporary style to the rooms while adding layers of historic prints, fabrics and plaids to provide Scottish charm.

1 Bedroom Suite

We stayed in two renovated connecting Deluxe rooms (there are only two sets in the hotel) with views of the castle, 350 square feet in size. This combination (04/06) was simply sublime and I recommend it highly for a family of four as it is very spacious. It can even comfortably fit an additional person for a nominal daily fee for a rollaway cot.  

I was able to visit a few rooms during my stay and highly recommend the newly renovated rooms that have a fresh, updated look. Additionally, it is absolutely worth it to get an exterior facing room of the Old Town, particularly of the Edinburgh Castle. The Junior Suites and the Deluxe Rooms, in particular, are lovely.

Castle View Junior Suite
FOOD AND DRINK 

There are several wonderful places to eat and drink at the Balmoral. It should be noted that some of these are in the midst of changing this month as part of the finishing stages of the hotel’s refurbishment.

Scotch Whisky Bar was my favorite spot in the hotel as I love a good bar in a city hotel where I can meet friends for drinks prior to evening plans. Scotch has over 500 single malts, including their own 10-year-old single malt, blends and vintages.  The kilt-wearing bartenders also serve as certified whiskey ambassadors and they really know their stuff. In addition to all those whiskeys, they also have some wonderful local Scottish vodkas for those like me that like to stay with the vodka.  

Palm Court with its glass dome and Venetian chandelier is by far the most beautiful spot in the hotel to take breakfast. The delicious buffet breakfast, included in our Virtuoso rate, includes local Scottish dishes that may seem unappetizing or strange to American taste buds. This includes locally smoked haddock, Aberfeldy oatmeal, Haggis which you see on menus everywhere (I refused to try it), vegetarian kedgeree ( a flaked fish such as haddock cooked with rice, parsley, curry powder and cream which was reintroduced as a breakfast dish from India) and blood pudding which is blood sausage typically made from pork, pork blood and oatmeal . Not as bad is it sounds.

We had afternoon tea one day at the Palm Court, which is open all day. A harpist plays daily in the loge of the gallery above everyone. Just sublime.

Palm Court, Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh

We also ate one night at the Number One, a must once during your stay (it is only open for dinner). Michelin-starred for 16 years in a row, the restaurant serves delicious and fresh modern Scottish dishes.

Two other dining venues currently at the hotel when we were there are in the midst of changing. Replacing current Hadrian’s Brasserie and The Balmoral Bar will be a new lifestyle space and brasserie opening this month in May by three Michelin star chef Alain Roux and his son Michel Roux. The 120-seat brasserie, whose name has yet to be announced, will feature classic French dishes inspired by the finest Scottish ingredients. The opening of the restaurant completes the hotel’s five-year refurbishment plan to update the refresh the rooms and food and beverage outlets.

SERVICE 

We found the staff at the Balmoral all round attentive and warm.  Special recognition must be made to Andy Fraser and David Musk at the concierge desk who went above and beyond to make my stay memorable, spending time prior to my arrival to help me craft my itinerary for the week.

THE LAST WORD

I’ve always admired the Rocco Forte brand properties for how, with each location, they’ve converted historical buildings integral to the city’s history into chic sophisticated places to stay while still maintaining the integrity and character of the original structure. Yet, there are particular aspects about each of the properties that I have stayed at that holds my affection.  In Hotel de Rome in Berlin, I enjoy the overall ambiance, location, the lobby, and the rooftop and lobby bars. In Rome, the courtyard garden at the Hotel de Russie is just a magical place. And at Browns, my go-to in London, I Iove the cozy side street location in Mayfair and the rooms are simply heaven.

The Balmoral, the very first property in the Rocco Forte Collection in a location where Sir Rocco Forte spent many of his childhood years, is obviously a very special place with a long Scottish heritage. For me, it was the historic majesty of the property, our beautifully styled rooms with views of the medieval Edinburgh Castle from our window and of course, the Whisky Bar that left us with the most lasting impressions. We look forward to returning sooner than later to this distinguished Edwardian hotel.

 

WHERE TO EAT IN  EDINBURGH 

The Kitchin in Leith

The food scene in and around Edinburgh is fantastic. Take the time to try some of these standout places on our list: 

  • The Kitchin in Leith (see more on our take on this restaurant in What We Loved below), arguably the best restaurant in Scotland. Opened in 2006, the restaurant was awarded a Michelin star the following year and the recipient of many awards for its fresh, modern British cuisine.
  • Norn, a more casual restaurant, in Leith.
  • Castle Terrace. Tom Kitchin’s more relaxed establishment close to Edinburgh Castle.
  • The Scran and Scallie.  Rustic-Chic Gastropub from the same chef, Tom Kitchin.
  • Wedgwood. Contemporary Scottish fare on Royal Mile. 
  • Micheal Neave Kitchen and Whisky Bar. Modern restaurant in the heart of Old Town. 
  • Tower Restaurant. Sleek, contemporary restaurant with great views on the rooftop of the National Museum of Scotland. 
  • The Gardeners Cottage. Former residence of the Royal Palace’s gardener with communal tables and an open kitchen.
  • The Mussel Inn.  Informal seafood bistro off Princes Street.  Best to go here for lunch.
Kitchin in Leith

EXPLORING EDINBURGH AND BEYOND 

  • Well worth the visit is Blackwell’s bookstore in Edinburgh, one of the coolest bookstores I’ve been to in a while. While spread out on many levels, it still manages to retain an intimate and inviting feel. You’ll want to read and buy every book in the place. 
  • You must take a hike up Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano located one mile east of Edinburgh Castle. The hill rises above the city more than 820 feet, providing excellent panoramic views of the city and beyond.

  • Stroll up the curving cobblestone road of Victoria Street, the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. Starting at the base of Grassmarket, make your way up to the top at Castlehill. Whimsical with vibrant colored buildings, you get into the spirit of all things Harry Potter. 

  • Make your way to Leith, the buzzing port district north of Edinburgh only a 10-minute taxi ride away from the hotel. Here you will find cool shops and fantastic restaurants, in particular, the Kitchin and Norn

  • Edinburgh has its own Harvey Nichols (the British department store with a flagship in Knightsbridge London), but I found the five-floor department store a little underwhelming and odd that many of the shelves were nearly empty, especially those in the handbag section. Instead, I would venture down to Scotland’s pre-eminent cashmere emporium, Hawico, located at 71 Grassmarket in the Old Town. You will find the most incredible cashmere impeccably curated in two neighboring stores – one for women and the other for men.

Places to Visit 

One of our key objectives for this trip was to visit the campuses of University of Edinburgh and St. Andrews.  St. Andrews is a 75-90 minute drive northeast of Edinburgh and even if not going to golf or see the university, it is well worth the trip. Meander on the way there or back through the various fishing villages dotting the coastline that make up County Fife. Also worth the diversion is a stop off in the village of Falkland, where the premiere episode of the popular Starz series Outlander took place, in particular, the Covenanter Hotel.

St. Andrews itself is a seaside town northeast of Edinburgh known for its many golf courses, most notably the Old Course and the landmark Swilcan bridge at the 18th hole. The vistas are simply breathtaking. Another notable area in St. Andrews not to be missed is the West Sands beach which lies directly ahead of the Old Course, where the film Chariots of Fire was filmed (remember the scene of the guys running on the beach to that Vangelis theme?). Words don’t do it justice.

The raw majestic beauty of Scotland is unparalleled to most any place I’ve seen.  Perhaps a mashup of Iceland and Fogo Island, both places I have traveled to recently. Many times during my stay in Scotland, I remarked how the topography reminded me of both places.

Finally, there is the University of St. Andrews itself, founded in 1413, and now forever tied to a commoner meeting her Prince Charming (AKA Kate and William).

Without all the tourists and souvenir shops, I felt a much more authentic vibe here then I did at some of the historical attractions back in Edinburgh.

That is, with the exception of the University of Edinburgh, founded in 1582. The university itself is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city of Edinburgh with many of the buildings in the Old Town owned by the university. Some notable alumni in its ranks include Charles Darwin, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) and Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde). We loved how intertwined the university is with the city. Both are definitely worth a visit, whether you have a child consider going to university there or not. 

We spent one day touring the nearby stunning countryside (see Tips) with a local private guide we hired who we could not recommend more highly.

Review by Romi Howard. 

Photos courtesy of Romi and Jeff Howard and Rocco Forte Hotels. Copyright protected. 

Loved Didn't Love
  • Scotch Whiskey Bar The little dark chocolates to compliment the whiskeys were delicious and a delightful touch.
  • Attention to detail at the hotel such as the grand floral arrangement in the entrance of the Balmoral a standard in every Rocco Forte hotel is changed every Monday.
  • High Tea at the Palm Court – a must-do experience during your stay. 
  • The attentive staff. Most notably Omar the Tearoom manager, Daniel one of the head waitstaff and concierge gurus, Andy Fraser and David Musk.
  • Our spacious, comfortable and newly styled Deluxe rooms with views of the Castle. A perfect combination of Scottish charm and contemporary design.

  • During our stay, I felt the staff was rushing to sit people at their tables during breakfast. Two different mornings when we left the seats at our table to go to the buffet, people were sitting at in our seats when we returned. Awkward and frustrating at the same time.  
  • I loved the Scotch Whisky Bar but was a tad disappointed there was no background music. For me, it diminished the ambiance and it was easy to get distracted by other people’s conversations.  
  • Getting to the fitness center, pool and spa can be tricky. You cannot access it from the main elevator so you must go to the lobby, walk through the main corridor to access another elevator to then take it down below lobby level to access the spa. A bit too confusing and discouraging for those who really depend on a daily hotel workout. 

Don't Miss Skip

The following two incredible food experiences (see our above restaurant recommendations for other recommended stops). Word of advice. Do NOT go to these amazing culinary establishments on concurrent nights. We made that mistake. For one, it diminishes the experience slightly in that you almost feel one can not top the other. Moreover, we practically had to be wheeled out of Edinburgh the next day.

  • Number One at the Balmoral. Michelin-starred for 16 years in a row, serving modern Scottish cuisine. Ask ahead for a booth. 
  • The Kitchin in Leith. Hands down one of the most magical food experiences I’ve ever had. Top ten for sure. Make your reservation WELL IN ADVANCE of your arrival.

  • Sadly, Edinburgh Castle, the city’s main attraction, is overrun with tourists. The walk on the Royal Mile leading up to the castle is akin to being in the midst of NYC’s Times Square. I would recommend visiting during an off period such as early morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the mass of tourists. Or avoid it altogether and make your way to the myriad castles outside of Edinburgh, in particular, Sterling Castle. The crowds are significantly smaller, making it a much more enjoyable experience. The town of Sterling itself is a fantastic place to stop for lunch or a little stroll.

  • This is for all you Outlander Fans. Doune Castle in Perthshire (otherwise known as Lallybroch) was a mild disappointment in that again there was too many buses, crowds, and tourist shops.  Instead, make a quick stop at the Covenanter Hotel in Falkland, a lovely quaint village, where Frank and Claire honeymoon in the pilot episode.

  • A word on JK RowlingThis was a mixed bag for me. While on the one hand, it is interesting to see where the magic and the inspiration all began, it’s become so tourist- infested (notice a pattern here?) that it’s almost akin to seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre. Almost. The Elephant House, the cafe where Rowling wrote much of the first novel, has sadly become a tourist trap. We could barely get inside. On the flip side, Greyfriars Kirkyard, a ‘haunted’ cemetery where Rowling found many of the names of the characters in the book, (I did, in fact, see the graves of Tom Riddle and Professor Mcgonnagall) was admittedly cool. Lots of tourists here too, but cool nonetheless. 

 

Rooms to Get Tips
  • For families, there are two sets of connecting Deluxe Rooms at the hotel. Make sure to book these ahead of time as early as possible.
  • Make sure to request a renovated room as not all have been recently refurbished. All the Suites, Junior Suites and Deluxe Suites have been refurbished at this time. 
  • Go for a Castle Facing view if you can, after all, you are in Edinburgh. How many times do you get to see a Medieval castle outside your window?
  • If you are a big Harry Potter fan, splurge for the JK Rowling Suite (maybe it will rub off), Suite #552.  

  • Ask about the Families R Forte program if you are traveling with young children. This program across all properties 
  • I highly recommend taking a day or two to explore the countryside and towns outside Edinburgh. If you can, do so with a private guide. Our private guide, James Campbell was exceptional. Besides being exceptionally knowledgeable of the entire region, he was one of the kindest gentlemen we had to pleasure to meet and guide us through the highlands and the lochs of Scotland. 
  • If you need a car service as we did to make an early morning St. Andrews tour, the Balmoral will expertly organize one for you. Our driver, the exceptionally genial and witty Rodrick Rowan from Luxury Travel took the time to show us many interesting spots off our designated route while still managing to get us to St. Andrews on time and subsequently took us to many fishing villages in Fife on our return back (to clarify, Rodrick is a driver who can impart much detailed information on your Scottish surroundings and can take you to any destination. But he is NOT a guide. James Campbell is a guide). 
  • One valuable tip James wisely shared with us was to buy an Explorer Pass, which entitles you to unlimited admission to any historic Scotland staffed landmark for a continuous three days, outside of Edinburgh. For a substantially reduced price, we purchased our pass at Doune Castle rather than Edinburgh Castle. 

The Balmoral, Edinburgh

For 2018, your Virtuoso rate at The Balmoral includes:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
• Full Scottish breakfast daily for two guests in the hotel restaurant
• $100 Food & Beverage credit
• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

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Why book Virtuoso?

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  • Guaranteed Room upgrade*
  • Complimentary full American breakfast
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