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 General Manager
Richard Cooke – Started his hospitality career in 1993 at the Regent Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, before moving into various food and beverage positions in the US. Richard joined The Balmoral from his position as Area General Manager of the Shangri-La Hotels in Vancouver and Toronto. Prior to this he spent ten years in various management positions with Shangri-La Hotels including General Manager of Traders Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Hotel Manager of the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore and Hotel Manager of Pudong Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai.
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
Designer – Olga Polizzi
As part of a multimillion-pound upgrade, The Balmoral refurbished its presidential suite, the Scone & Crombie Suite, in 2018.
In collaboration with Alain Roux and Michel Roux, O.B.E., Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux was launched in 2018.
2019: the hotel’s Princes Street rooms are upgraded, along with the hotel’s royal suite, the Glamis Suite.
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 Tartan Butler Clan Tour, you’ll find the best of Scotland at your finger tips.
Location
The Balmoral is located in the heart of Edinburgh, overlooking Edinburgh Castle. The hotel is only eight miles from Edinburgh International Airport (a 20-minute taxi ride) and is adjacent to Waverley Rail Station.
Key sites/activities in the area
- Edinburgh Castle
- Camera Obscura
- John Knox House
- The Scottish Parliament
- The Queens Gallery
- The Palace of Holyroodhouse
- The National Museum of Scotland
- Greyfriar’s Bobby
- The Grassmarket
- Dynamic Earth
- The Edinburgh Bus Tour
- The Edinburgh Dungeon
- Calton Hill
- Princes Gardens
- Sir Walter Scott Monument
- National Art Gallery of Scotland
- The Royal Botanical Gardens
- The Gallery of Modern Art
- Royal Yacht Britannia
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Edinburgh Zoo
Fun Facts
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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.
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The Balmoral was named as City Hotel of the Year 2018 by the world’s leading gastronomic tourism title – Food and Travel magazine.
Children’s Corner
Our Families R Forte programme ensures younger guests will be just as pampered as the grown-ups. Our programme is tailored for babies (0-3), kids (4-12) and teens (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
Excellent cuisine is guaranteed at The Balmoral.
Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux
In collaboration with legendary chefs and restaurateurs, Alain Roux and his father Michel Roux, O.B.E., Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux was launched in 2018 celebrating a ‘new alliance’: matching the very best of Scottish produce with classic French cooking. At Bar Prince, the ambience is relaxed yet convivial. Guests can enjoy a pre-dinner aperitif, sit in the cosy library by the fire for an after dinner drink or sample cocktails at the long, marble bar counter for a fun night out.
Number One
The hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Number One, offers modern Scottish dining with the finest service. Together with his team, Head Chef Mark Donald has created an innovative new menu inspired by Scotland and flavoured by their international travels. Number One was named in the 2018 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice® awards as one of the Top 10 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the UK.
Palm Court
Palm Court, set in the heart of the hotel, is an Edinburgh institution that’s as glittering as its glass dome and Venetian chandelier. The place to sample modern Scottish Afternoon Tea and a wide selection of loose leaf teas, coffee and pastries. Sip vintage champagne as a harpist provides the perfect accompaniment.
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. Take a seat on one of the tweed sofas and let a kilted Whisky Ambassadors help you choose from over 500 varieties.
Wellness
For relaxation, The Balmoral Spa is a serene sanctuary in the heart of the city – the perfect place to escape the pace of city life. The spa boasts 5 treatment rooms, a 15m swimming pool, Finnish sauna, Turkish steam room, Spa Bar and a state-of-the-art quad layout Technogym-equipped gym. Exclusive to Rocco Forte Hotels, the newly launched Irene Forte Skincare line offers a range of treatments harnessing the power of handpicked active ingredients from Italy.
Corporate & Celebration Events
If you are looking for private dining and meeting rooms with the best views in the city, The Balmoral has the answer. Excellent cuisine is guaranteed with our bespoke private dining menu.
From weddings and gala balls to a business meeting or private events, The Balmoral presents 10 well- equipped event spaces suitable for 2 to 450 guests. All suites are filled with natural daylight and many have views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town, offering a mesmerising backdrop for your event. The Forte family’s impeccable style of service, meanwhile, draws guests back time and time again.
Hotel and Restaurant Awards
2014 :
Jan 2014 Number One retains 3 AA Rosettes for 2015-16 for the 9th consecutive year
Jan 2014 The Balmoral retains 5 AA Red Stars for 2015-16 for the 6th consecutive year
Apr 2014 The Green Tourism Business Scheme – Gold Award
May 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014 for The Balmoral
May 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014 for The Balmoral Spa
Aug 2014 The Telegraph names Palm Court as one of Top 20 Afternoon Tea venues in UK
Aug 2014 The Balmoral receives a 2014 ‘Fodor’s 100 Hotel Award’ in the Enduring Classic’s category – the world’s most impressive hotels
Sep 2014 Number One retains 1 Michelin star for 2015 for 13th consecutive year
2015 :
Jan 2015 Number One retains 3 AA Rosettes for 2015-16 for the 10th consecutive year
Jan 2015 The Balmoral retains 5 AA Red Stars for 2015-16 for the 6th consecutive Year
Apr 2015 The Balmoral wins Edinburgh & The Lothians Luxury Hotel of the year 2015 at the Scottish Hotel Awards
Apr 2015 Number One Restaurant Director, Gary Quinn, wins Restaurant Manager of the year 2015 at the Scottish Hotel Awards
May 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 for Hadrian’s Brasserie
May 2015 TripAdvisor Hall of Fame 2015 for five-time winner of Certificate
May 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 for Scotch
May 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 for Palm Court
May 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 for Number One
May 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 for The Balmoral Bar
May 2015 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2015 for The Balmoral Spa
May 2015 Scotch named as the top whisky bar in Scotland by Scotland Now
Aug 2015 The Balmoral named Best Scottish Hotel 2015 at the Hotel of the Year Awards
Aug 2015 The Scone & Crombie Suite named Scotland’s leading hotel suite at the 2015 World Travel Awards
Sep 2015 Number One retains 1 Michelin star for 2016 for 14th consecutive Year
2016 :
Jan 2016 The Balmoral retains 5 AA Red Stars for 2015-16 for the 7th consecutive year
Jan 2016 Number One retains 3 AA Rosettes for 2015-16 for the 11th consecutive year
Apr 2016 The Balmoral receives a regional award for Fine Dining Hotel of the Year (Edinburgh & The Lothians) at the 2016 Scottish Hotel Awards
Apr 2016 The Balmoral receives a regional award for Family Hotel of the Year (Edinburgh & The Lothians) at the 2016 Scottish Hotel Awards
Apr 2016 The Balmoral receives a Gold Laurel Award at the 2016 Scottish Hotel Awards
Apr 2016 – The Balmoral Bar & Scotch receive a joint award for Bar of the Year at the 2016 Scottish Hotel Awards
May 2016 – The Balmoral wins Group Hotel of The Year at the CIS Excellence Awards 2016
May 2016 – Number One wins Restaurant of the Year at the CIS Excellence Awards 2016
Number of employees
300