The Balmoral Hotel

The Balmoral Hotel

Hotel Class: 5 out of 5 stars5 Stars - 5 Reviews and 801 Opinions

1 Princes St, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 2EQ, United Kingdom

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93%

of people enjoy staying here

4.5 our of 5 stars 806 Opinions

Excellent
 
564
Very Good
 
167
Average
 
30
Poor
 
29
Terrible
 
15

Our Members Say

  • Manara profile photo
  • Reviews: 481

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

In the heart of Edinburgh

Two men wearing kilts (or trews) welcome you at the door and an open fire welcomes you in the lobby, your room windows open to a view of the Old Town. Everything in this hotel reminds you that you are in Edinburgh.
The building stands out in the landscape of the city, due to its location, its size and also its style, that looks more suitable for a public building than for a hotel, so I was not xpecting that the Balmoral would prove also cosy and familiar.
The staff provide excellent service in every aspect, and the only flaw worth mentioning is the lack of tea-making facilities in the room.
There are two restaurants at the Balmoral, but I tried only one and it was very good.

Unique Quality: Location, location, location. The Balmoral is really in the middle of the city centre.

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
The Balmoral Hotel

The Balmoral Hotel

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  • Atlanta28 profile photo
  • Reviews: 4

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Do it in style

I only had the opportunity to stay in Edin overnight. However I was so gobsmacked at the quality of the hotel that I am going back again.

Edin is a lovely city, rich in culture and history but at the same time it has a relaxed city feel to it.

Unique Quality: Great sites, great museum

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
  • Related to: Museum Visits, Women's Travel, Singles

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  • Tom_Fields profile photo
  • Reviews: 2336

2 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Balmoral Hotel

I didn't actually stay here. But in Edinburgh, you cannot avoid seeing this grand hotel, which dominates everything around it. At over $400 per night, it's obviously way out of my price range.

Unique Quality: This five-star luxury hotel is an Edinburgh landmark. It is also known for its fine restaurants. If you want to travel in grand style, this is the place to stay.

  • Opinion of Price: most expensive
  • Related to: Luxury Travel, Architecture
The Balmoral Hotel Photo: The Balmoral Hotel

The Balmoral Hotel Photo: The Balmoral Hotel

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  • KelseyQ profile photo
  • Reviews: 47

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Best views in Edinburgh

We loved the charm and location of this historic hotel.
The service was very good and the have two excellent resaurants on site.
I had the best massage I can remember having in in a long there and I came away feeling extemley satisfied and relaxed.

Unique Quality: Our room was a bit small for the price but the view was very nice.
The interior is worth a look even if you aren't staying there.
Pop in for tea or Champagne in their gorgeous lounge anytime.

  • Opinion of Price: most expensive
  • Related to: Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Festivals, Historical Travel
The Balmoral Hotel Photo: Balmoral

The Balmoral Hotel Photo: Balmoral

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  • globetrott profile photo
  • Reviews: 12494

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

The Balmoral

It looks like an oldfashioned castle, but is certainly the most famous hotel in Edinburg

Unique Quality: the hotel is situated in the very centre of Edinburg, just next to the Touristinformation on Princess-street and many of the hotelrooms offer e free sight to the Castle.

  • Opinion of Price: most expensive
  • Related to: Luxury Travel, Business Travel, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons
The Balmoral Hotel Photo: The Balmoral Hotel at night

The Balmoral Hotel Photo: The Balmoral Hotel at night

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More about The Balmoral Hotel

If you can afford to...

by wadekorzan

If you can afford to splurge--the Balmoral Hotel. I ended up there by chance, as I was looking for accommodations at the very last minute and everything was sold out. I started searching the internet and found a very special deal being offered at the Balmoral, Edinburgh's most famous hotel. The lobby is beautiful with an incredible flower display to welcome you, just near the fireplace. Definitely a place to spend a very special occasion with that special someone---however, I was missing my special someone so will have to go back!
I think I was very very lucky---with an internet only special price, I paid about 100 pounds sterling. Usually it is much more expensive. Over half the postcards of Edinburgh feature a picture of this hotel with the castle on the back---kind of neat to send that postcard to friends and family, being able to show where you stayed with the whole city behind!

Perfect!

by TripAdvisor Member eddyboylip

I suprised my girlfriend with a weekend at The Balmoral Hotel. Everything i wanted to make the weekend perfect. The staff were very helpfull and polite, the room was very spacious and clean. The concierge were very helpfull with our luggage. We would definaltely go back and i would recommend it to anyone who wants to stay in luxery.

March 2004 -- just lovely

by A TripAdvisor Member

Had a wonderful experience. Concierge most helpful, particularly Stewart. The hotel had just undergone some renovations and we were placed in a room that had the kitchen exhaust smells wafting in - not pleasant. We called the concierege and were moved instantly. No problem at all. Location is superb as is the spa.

Heartily recommend it!

Fantastic views

by TripAdvisor Member Fifilamue

Got a great last minute bargain from hotels own website, and in the middle of the Edinburgh festival! Fantastic location at the top of Princes Street and as we arrived by train it was just a walk up the stairs and we were there! Received a lovely reception at the door from the concierge and then checked in without any hassle. The receptionist showed us to our room (first time for me!!) and in the lift on the way up told us that she had upgraded our room. What a lovely surprise - an uninterrupted view of Edinburgh Castle from the fifth floor. We didn't want to shut our curtains that night - but did eventually when they turned the castle illuminations off! Lovely big towelling robes and big bath. The bed was really comfortable too. There were no tea or coffee facilities in the room as mentioned elsewhere but I asked room service to bring me some and it was no problem. Would definitely stay here again - if I can get another bargain!!

Questioning the bad reviews

by A TripAdvisor Member

Reading the few bad reviews of the Balmoral leads me to think the writers were in a different hotel. Our 4-day stay was a 9 on a 10 point scale. Our internet based reservation was handled efficiently, (with some unexpected perks!). The staff in particular was gracious, helpful, friendly and very cooperative. Afternoon tea - a delight. Breakfasts in both restaurants, and 1 dinner - excellent. The pub? - pretty typical Edinburgh pub. The room - not one of the most expensive, had no view, but was very comfortable with all of the amenities in place, a fully working TV. The doormen and concierge staff could not have been better, from holding luggage (at no charge) while we were on a 5-day tour to recommending nearby Scottish themed restasurants. We would return with pleasure.

Photos

balmoral_hotel_edinburghbalmoral_hotel_edinburgh

Rocco Forte Balmoral HotelRocco Forte Balmoral Hotel

Balmoral Hotel over Waverley StationBalmoral Hotel over Waverley Station

View of the Balmoral Hotel and Princes St.View of the Balmoral Hotel and Princes St.

Forum Posts

Coffee

by reddc

can anyone recommend a nice place to go for a coffee and cake in town centre/royalmile,thanks.

Re: Coffee

by dan55

hi,
cant recall any independant coffee places - only starbucks for coffee

Re: Coffee

by leics

Rather more than just Starbucks:

http://www.edinburghdirectory.info/category/coffeeshops.html

I haven't been to Edinburgh recently enough to recommend anywhere specific, but you certainly won't be lacking in choice.

Re: Coffee

by hawkhead

If you are visiting the Castle, the restaurant there has wonderful views over the city/countryside. Jenners used to be one of THE places to go but I suspect this has changed. The Balmoral Hotel is also somewhere to go but it is expensive. Don't quite know whether a "nice place to go" refers to the actual ambience of the place or the view, or what. There's somewhere on Frederick Street that serves a wonderful cream tea, according to my son, so I think they may well serve coffee and cake of a similar standard - I'll ask.

Re: Coffee

by reddc

Thanks for all your help

Re: Coffee

by reddc

Thanks for all your help

Re: Coffee

by JessH

Hi!

We were recently in Edinburgh and enjoyed these places:

The Rabbie Burns Cafe - close to John Knox House.

Always Sunday - Royal Mile, 170 High Street (has many homebaked goods and healthy options)

Re: Coffee

by doofus

There are so many of them along the Royal Mile-- you will be spoiled for choice.

Re: Coffee

by iaint

You will find Starbucks etc if thats what you want, but better to go for the small places.

Apart from Royal Mile, Castle Street, Frederick Street & Hanover Street will have these places. These streets run off the north side of Princes Street. The coffee places are often on the section over the hill from George St (runs parallel to Princes St (rents are cheaper there). Rose Street is worth trying too - a narrow street running between Princes St & George St.

When I was at high school/uni I knew all these places - not enough time now.

Re: Coffee

by JessH

Ah yes, Rose Street also has plenty of options, but strangely enough we found prices to be higher here than on the Royal Mile!

 
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 the hotel is situated in the very centre of Edinburg, just next to the Touristinformation on Princess-street and many of the hotelrooms offer e free sight to the Castle. 

1265 members live in Edinburgh

 
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 The Balmoral Hotel

We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:

Balmoral Edinburgh Hotel
Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh

Address: 1 Princes St, Edinburgh, Scotland EH2 2EQ, United Kingdom

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