The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel
United Kingdom

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh Scotland,
EH2 2EQ United Kingdom
www.roccofortehotels.com

HOTEL INFORMATION

Group

Rocco Forte Hotels

Shareholders

Privately owned by Rocco Forte Hotels

Date of Creation

1902

Hotel Positioning

5-star Luxury

THE BALMORAL, A ROCCO FORTE HOTEL

History & Story

For over a century, The Balmoral has found a home at Edinburgh’s most prestigious address, No. 1 Princes Street. A landmark Rocco Forte hotel set in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, The Balmoral combines stunning views and warm hospitality with world-class facilities to create the perfect urban retreat.

Date Renewal

Interior Designer – Olga Polizzi

2018: The Balmoral refurbished its presidential suite, the Scone & Crombie Suite

2019: The hotel’s Princes Street view rooms are upgraded, along with the hotel’s royal suite, the Glamis Suite.

2023: The hotels Executive courtyard view rooms are fully upgraded

Main Strengths, Special Touch

The Balmoral is the perfect home-from-home to discover Edinburgh and Scotland’s finest attractions. Whatever the season, the hotel’s dedicated Concierge team can open doors to some of the most unique experiences in Scotland. From tickets to the world-famous Edinburgh Festival events, access to the city’s royal establishments – Holyrood Palace and the Royal Yacht Britannia – to the hotel’s own award winning Afternoon Tea, you’ll find the best of Scotland at your finger tips.

Location

The Balmoral is located in the heart of Edinburgh, at Number 1 Princes Street, overlooking Edinburgh Castle. Not just a hotel, it is also a landmark thanks to its majestic clock tower that plays an important role in the city’s skyline. The Balmoral is located eight miles from Edinburgh International Airport (a 20-minute taxi ride) and is adjacent to Waverley Rail Station

Fun Facts

Over the years a regular galaxy of film and sports stars, princesses and politicians, have posed for photographs by the hotel pillars. Celebrity visitors to the hotel include Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Paul and Linda McCartney.

The Balmoral received a Five-Star Award for 2021 in the Forbes Travel Guide, and has retained the accolade of the only hotel in Scotland to gain a fiver-star rating for the sixth year running.

Children’s Corner
The Balmoral’s Rocco Forte Families Amenities ensures younger guests will be just as pampered as the grown-ups. We welcome children of all ages – our programme is tailored for babies (ages 0-3), children (ages 4-12) and teenagers (ages 13-16).

HOTEL FEATURES

Accommodation

• 187 bedrooms (including 20 suites)

The perfect marriage of tradition and modernity, each of the 187 rooms has been individually designed by Rocco Forte Hotel’s Director of Design Olga Polizzi. Elegant and stylish with unmistakably Scottish accents, each of our 20 Edinburgh suites is generous with magnificent views.

Restaurants & Bars

Brasserie Prince

Brasserie Prince celebrates the very best of Scottish produce with classic French cooking. Serving seasonally inspired, classic bistro dishes that harmonise quintessentially French flavours with local ingredients.

Number One

Number One, Edinburgh’s culinary landmark, is The Balmoral’s 4AA Rosette fine dining restaurant offering contemporary dining coupled with world-class Scottish hospitality. Head Chef, John Munro places an emphasis on promoting the best of Scotland by using only the finest and freshest ingredients. John Munro and his team have developed seasonal menus using classical flavours and modern techniques. Private wine experiences are available, led by Head Sommelier Matthew O’Donnell, whilst a private dining room is available for intimate private functions of up to 10 guests.

In 2021, Number One unveiled a new wine cellar in partnership with Charles Heidsieck Champagne, housing over 350 fine wines, offering over twenty wines by the glass, bottles from more than sixteen countries and vintages for the 70s and 80s through to 2021.

Palm Court

Palm Court, set in the heart of the hotel, is an Edinburgh institution that’s as glistening as its glass dome and Venetian chandelier. The place to sample modern award-winning Scottish Afternoon Tea and a wide range of 88 loose-leaf teas, coffee, and pastries. Sip vintage champagne as a harpist provides the perfect accompaniment.

Bar Prince

At Bar Prince, the ambience is relaxed yet convivial. Guests can enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif, settle into the cosy library by the fire for an after-dinner drink, or gather around the long marble bar counter for a fun night out. The experience is complemented by the Connected Icons cocktail menu, inspired by the hotel’s iconography, from notable guests of the past and present to the property’s distinctive features and surroundings.

SCOTCH

The Balmoral’s signature whisky bar, SCOTCH, pays homage to Scotland’s national drink and is home to one of Edinburgh’s largest collections, some of which it is the only bar in the world to stock. Take a seat on one of the tweed sofas and let a kilted Whisky Ambassador help you choose from over 500 varieties.

Wellness

Irene Forte Spa

For relaxation, Irene Forte Spa at The Balmoral is a sanctuary in the heart of the city – the perfect place to escape the pace of city life. Opening following extensive refurbishment in 2025, The spa blends bio-innovation, clinically proven skincare, and Sicilian inspiration, featuring five serene treatment rooms, a thermal suite with a sauna and steam room, and a 15-metre indoor lap pool. Guests also have access to a state-of-the-art Technogym-equipped gym with a quad layout, a dedicated movement studio, and a Wellness Bar serving nourishing dishes, fresh juices, and herbal infusions.

Corporate & Celebration Events

10 sophisticated and well-equipped event spaces which can accommodate parties of 2 to 280 guests – offering style, comfort and Rocco Forte Hotels’ impeccable, world-class service along with exceptional views of Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street and The Old Town.

3 Event Spaces on the second floor of the hotel reopened in June 2026 following refurbishment with a further 3 suites due to be completed by spring 2027.

Hotel and Restaurant Awards

2026
• The Balmoral retains its position of Five Star rating in the Forbes Guide Star Awards for the sixth year running.

• Bar Prince is named to the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide 2026 hotels Star Bars list, earning recognition as one of just 39 hotel bars worldwide to receive the honour

• Palm Court wins Best Traditional Afternoon Tea in the UK at the Afternoon Tea Awards, 2026

2025
• The Balmoral retains its Five Star rating in the Forbes Guide Star Awards for the fifth year running.

2024
• The Balmoral retains its Five Star rating in the Forbes Guide Star Awards for the fourth year running.

• The Balmoral is named « Best Hotel in Scotland » in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards

2023
• The Balmoral retains its position as the only hotel in Scotland with a Five Star rating in the Forbes Guide Star Awards for the third year running.

• The Balmoral is named « Best Hotel in Scotland » in Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards

2022
• The Balmoral wins AA Hotel of the Year Scotland at the AA Hospitality Awards. The Balmoral also celebrates its 120th anniversary this year on the 15th of October 2022.

2020

• The hotel is named as the first and only hotel in Scotland to receive a five star award from the world-renowned Forbes Travel Guide.

Number of employees
404

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel United Kingdom

HOTEL INFORMATION

Group

Shareholders

Date of Creation

Hotel Positioning

THE BALMORAL, A ROCCO FORTE HOTEL

History & Story

Date Renewal

Main Strengths, Special Touch

Location

Key sites/activities in the area

Fun Facts

HOTEL FEATURES

Accommodation

Wellness

Corporate & Celebration Events

Hotel and Restaurant Awards

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel
United Kingdom