Old world formal 5* Hotel with the only Moet Champagne Bar in Scotland. This is really an upmarket hotel. If you like the finest and best this one is for you.

The suites are huge and the service is excellent. So close to the station so no car necessary. Dress to impress, indulge and enjoy.

It took a long time to pick a hotel in Edinburgh as we (myself, my wife and our 15 month old son) didn't know anything about the city nor did we recognise any of the hotel chains...Balmoral seemed to come out on top so we gave it a go, although as I was from England originally I never have very high hopes of British hotels.

The hotel was fine, we had what was called a suite but was basically two very long and narrow rooms joined in the middle with pointlessly high ceilings. The decor was rather austere, and freaked our son out who basically spent the whole time being pretty unhappy there. We also overlooked the main train station (not that there was much of a choice being in the middle of the city). As is generally the case in Britain these days 99% of the staff were from eastern europe and weren't the friendliest bunch....but then to be honest I didn't find Scotland very friendly full stop.

The hotel has a tiny pool (too cold for us Aussies) and spa where we were scowled at for trying to let our son have a swim. However, we were given a big wooden toybox in our room and a fresh new rubber duck each evening so someone was trying to make an effort.

The resteraunt (forget it's name but it's michellin rated) was superb however, a really unexpected surprise and worth a trip to Edinburgh just for the meal.

Like I said, I didn't have high hopes, and I wasn't overally suprised until we got the bill. We've been lucky to stay at some really top hotels around the world, but the wind was taken out of me paying for this place, no way on earth would I consider even half the amount as good value for money.

In summary, I'd say it's probably quite good for what is basically not a very friendly country but you are going to pay through the nose for it - if it were me, I'd be diverting my pennies\cents to Asia unless you have some dying need to see Scotland.

My husband and I stayed at the Balmoral while en route to meet my in-laws to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. We arrived via train from Southhampton, England and the hotel's proximity to Waverley station was a great convenience. The hotel lobby is elegant in a quiet, dignified way, as is the bar. The staff were very accomodating and room service excellent. Our room had a view of both the castle and the Scott Monument. It was large and attractively furnished. The staff were very gracious in allowing us to extend check out, as the house my in-laws had rented in Edinburgh was not available until later in the afternoon. I would recommend this hotel for it's ambience, location and professional staff. We will certainly return!

I spent five nights at The Balmoral and am happy to have been there. The room was on a high floor in the center of the building facing the castle and the view was magical. It had a circular reading alcove attached to it with antique books, art, and a sitting area elevated above the main floor. It definitely had a Scottish flavor to it. The linens were acceptable and the carpet ok.
Beds were comfortable especially after long days of sightseeing.
I was cold the whole time we were in Edinburgh and housekeeping brought a space heater that really helped. The bathroom was very nice...marble with very nice fixtures, a good soaking tub and good products. Room service was good, the highly rated restaurant was good but not great...service was lacking and the food itself was good but not worth the price. (especially with the US-Sterling exchange rate) Absolutely book the breakfast package with the room if available. It consists of a fantastic buffet with everything a person could desire including cooked to order hot dishes, pasteries, fruits, yogurts, granola, breakfast meats and an array of local fish, dried fruit, nuts,dates, figs, porage, eggs, lox and bagels, great hot chocolate etc...
The bellman, wearing a traditional Scottish kilt, went with us in a taxi to the train platform to be sure we found the correct train! It is centrally located and next to the train station. I would stay again.