Balmoral Hotel Review

Iconic building in an iconic location, very helpful staff.

5 star service at entrance and check in and in the bar and breakfast. Riom nice. Bed nit so nice. No biscuits with tea tray.

Princes Street has a great luxury hotel at either end of it, and the Balmoral stands resplendent at the East End, towering over Waverley Station. It has everything you might expect from a hotel of this class, including a Michelin-starred restaurant. We ate in the Brasserie, which offered lighter fare, but which was impressive. The breakfast was faultless - a good, solid Scottish breakfast with all the continental extras one could imagine. Ah, if only life was always like this ...

As always a pleasant experience, even more so during these strange times.
Thank you for making me feel safe during my visit x

The Balmoral Hotel is a luxurious five-star hotel, an iconic building in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located in the city center, the eastern end of Princes Street, the main shopping street under Edinburgh Castle Rock, and the southern edge of the New Town. You can see it as soon as you leave Edinburgh Railway Station, it's on your right.
It is the most luxurious hotel worth staying in Edinburgh. It has a good selection of food, wine, impeccable service, and an excellent location. The hotel is not far from all the classic attractions of Edinburgh. The Balmoral Hotel where I stayed in Edinburgh this time is a local landmark building with an extremely advantageous location. Eight of Edinburgh s top ten attractions are within walking distance of the hotel.
The hotel has many restaurants on its own, an open-air Oktoberfest is being held next to it, and there are performances and a flea market a few steps away.
I live in room 551. The 552 room diagonally opposite is the room where Rowling wrote Harry Potter. Now the door is painted purple and there is a golden owl on the door.

Location, architecture, style and quality of service

I remember this hotel when I was a kid and it was rather run down. It was called The North British Hotel back then and like most hotels in Scotland, if not all of them, it needed a lick of paint and some decent service.

Going back 30 years later is quite a shock as it's so totally different: friendly service, great decor, elaborate food and drink and (the thing that I really like) an interesting art collection on the mezzanine floor.

You can see some of the photos that were on show when I was there, as well as some views of the cafe spaces. I didn't stay the night so I can't write about the rooms.

It's a great place to meet in Edinburgh as it sits right above the station (back in my day there was a lift right down to the platforms); and the airport bus comes in just round the corner.

Glad to see it's been so well restored.

It's...OK....more impressive the outside... the inside...nothing special.

Went to view an area we had booked for a social event, very impressed

The room, the views, the service, the location just wow. I can't wait to go back. Absolutely loved it.

Opulent surroundings, visited for a works event, their service and food was fantastic.

One of the most beautiful hotels in Edinburgh and an inspiring location for a professional event. Fantastic staff and setting. Ideally located for transport to and from the city

Went for afternoon tea. A little pricey but hey, we deserve it! Go check the public bathrooms out.....

The bar was clean and well presented. The lobby was immaculate and ornate. Service was slightly robotic but allround good experience

Great breakfast - smoked haddock, poached eggs, black pudding - brilliant marmalade.

Endless good coffee and fresh orange juice

Attended wedding at the venue was very nice. Food was decent drinks expensive all the things you would expect from such a high end hotel.

A wonderful experience. The choice of tea is considerable, the preparation and delivery is flawless. Sandwiches, scones, cakes and petit fours all on point. Oh and something to take home after

Superb Victorian hotel. Lovely staff. The ideal location and the comfortable and luxurious rooms. I removed a star because in front of the tea room, the employee refused to let me in, seriously saying "we are fully booked" when half the room was empty. I hope that by reading this comment the manager of the hotel will think.

Went to the palm room for afternoon tea and it was great! Lots of little courses, the food was all delicious- only improvement was the sandwiches were a bit dry and disappointing- I also has to ask twice and wait 15mins for a glass of water! The desserts were delicious and we were definitely full when we least. The room itself is lovely and had a harp player on a little balcony above.

Food was great, staff were thorough and professional and the event was overall fantastic. Not to mention The Balmoral has a beautiful interior. It did start to get very warm inside the venue as we had a ceilidh with a fair few people - if they had some kind of air conditioning that they could switch on for events like this that would've been even better.

Lovely hotel, staff were really lovely and helpful, they all knew my name and greeted me all the time, room and food was really nice too, quite an experience - was there at Christmas, the market was right outside, and the castle is a short walk, well places for shopping as well, would recommend.

Visited The Balmoral Cocktail Lounge and had a fabulous time. Great service, a very relaxed atmosphere and best thing was the amazing cocktails!!

We stopped over for a few hours before our sleeper train, the bar here is just so cool, the porters so polite. I used to stay here on business and always loved it.

Amazing place to go.. The service I received was out of this world

The hotel is a Landmark, you can't find a better location in Edinburgh.
Staff is friendly and very helpfull, food is excellent (breakfast and dinner (in the brasserie Prince)) Edinbrugh is a wonderfull city. Did think the room was getting a bit "tired". not a problem, but if you pay for five stars you expect everything to be perfect. Would definitly recommend and will stay here again.

Had seen better days. Concierge DANY highly skilled, mega friendly. High Tea outstanding

Fabulous plush, luxurious and welcoming hotel sitting proudly and majestically on Edinburgh's most famous,street. Adjacent to Waverley Station ar a busy junction but easily the Prime location in Edinburgh. Was there for a charity reception and was impressed by the service, facilities and personal attention of the General Manager at the event. Afternoon tea is a must!

Went to get Swedish massage and enjoy the spa facilities. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The massage treatments they offer are amazing and the facilities aren't too busy so you can relax and enjoy a swim, sauna or steam afterwards.

The Scotch bar is a must for any whisky lover, the staff are amazing their attention to detail was astonishing. We discussed the whiskeys we liked and they recommended other excellent similar whiskeys.

Love the Balmoral, Love Number One restaurant, the champagne bar is excellent but the cocktail bar has left us unimpressed twice now. If you haven't booked a table you'll just have to be lucky so if there's more than 2 of you definitely book. Once there you'll get nice nibbles but we waited over 20 mins for our first cocktail, and since it was a pre-dinner drink it was lucky we only wanted one... To be fair the cocktails are interesting, and well made but speed is lacking. The second time our first cocktail came quickly but we had to basically rugby tackle a waiter to get our second, there probably won't be a third visit.

Stayed for 1 night on business. Perfectly situated by the station. Fantastic staff and service. Well appointed, elegant room.

It looked fancy and I've heard great things but apparently you need to book 2-3 weeks in advance to get an afternoon tea reservation

Went there for a work conference - Attentive staff, food was good

Afternoon tea.
Don t miss this gem!

To say the person who greeted my partner and I in the bar on arrival was ignorant and incredibly rude would be putting this very politely. There was plenty of seating available and because I was dressed casually on my day off he told us straight off there was no seating at this time and we would have to leave! As he said this another table became free and I said sure we can sit there no?? I was greeted with a huge sigh and he rolled his eyes and said fine I guess so. I then watched this staff member as other more people entered they were greeted with a big smile shown to there seats and were subsequently told please don't hesitate to call me if you need anything, and when all tables became actually full new guests to the bar were told it would be only a short wait and they are welcome to sit in the whiskey bar or lounge.. Great first experience in a so called five star hotel I would certainly not recommend this establishment.

One of the most amazing places I have ever been. The whiskey menu alone has 58 pages

Great food and service. Too little time for afternoon tea slot at 12-2.

Splendid Victorian era hotel with magnificent function rooms and public spaces.

Drinks were far too expensive and only had 2 draughts, staff was heckling and atmosphere was not very classy apart from reception. Food was acequate for price at best

Great whisky bar on the ground floor - large and varied selection.

Lovely old hotel but the food was very poor considering the cost

Beautiful setting, amazing whiskey selection with a great guide. Great place for all levels of whiskey lover.

Beautiful!! The best hotel in edinburgh! Excellent location!!

Lovely hotel all refurbished with nice rooms and great service.

Wow!!! What's not to like here? An absolutely beautiful hotel with an amazing staff.

It was one of the best hotels I have stayed. I still haven't forgotten the mushroom that came out for breakfast.

Very beautiful and homely hotel right in the centre of town. Friendly and helpful staff and i can't wait to sample the a la catre vegan menu. It sounds delicious and woukd be an excellent learning and new experience opportunity. Thanks guyz. Jaffa

Lovely hotel. Attentive staff. Would definitely stay again

Beautiful hotel. Amazing service. Everyone working there was extremely helpful and friendly. Great location for exploring Edinburgh. I felt lucky I had the chance to stay there.

Very friendly service, but the drinks (cocktails) couldn't match it. The Palm Court lounge is too bright for intimate drinks and no longer has a bar, which is a real shame as the focal point is a till... In summary, it didn't feel like a five star hotel.

A beautiful hotel in the heart of Edinburgh. My family and I love coming here for afternoon tea and will continue to do so in the future!

Wonderful overnight stay cosy bed and delicious food

The best hotel in Edinburgh. Rooms amazing and the service is excellent.

One of the best hotels in the UK. Amazing dining, beautifully appointed rooms, perfect Newtown location.

This should be on your bucket list.

Very welcoming place. Staff very friendly and attentive. Good value for money.

You have to try and stay at this beautiful hotel that was a castle with a lot of history. You get a lot of good views around the city of Edinburgh too...and seems like it's the center of the city.