The Balmoral is the best hotel I have ever stayed in. Every guest is made to feel like royalty - huge rooms, very good breakfast, incredible views over waverley station, princes street garden, edinburgh castle and the old city. Impressive conference facilities. Located on Princes Street next to Waverley Station so access is not a problem. The only fault is the internet. One would expect free wifi in guestrooms - this was not available.

I recently stayed at the Balmoral for 6 nights. We had a room on the top floor, with spectacular views of the Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument, and the Bridge. The hotel staff was courteous, friendly, and extremely professional. We had and deeply enjoyed dinner at both restaurants (Number One, and Hadrian's) and drinks at both bars (Balmoral, which is a bit more chic, and Palm Court which is relaxing and a bit quieter). We found everything to be top-notch. It's certainly not a cheap hotel, but I feel like the service, the location, the rooms, and the amenities were more than appropriate for the tariff. Additionally, it's in a good spot for sightseeing. No complaints after this stay, only compliments.

I booked a classic suite at the Balmoral for one night as part of a weekend trip to Edinburgh to treat a friend for her birthday. I stay at a fair number of 5 star hotels as I go on quite a few luxury city breaks, and overall I would say the staff at the Balmoral were amongst the best I have encountered. Nothing was too much trouble - they sorted us a car to go to a gig we were seeing, arranged champagne in the room on arrival, arranged afternoon tea in their tea room (which was fab), sorted an extra dvd player for the room, and arranged lunch reservations at another restaurant all with a minimum of fuss and total efficiency. The hotel was lovely and the suite was fine with the kind of appointments you would expect from a five star hotel. Two minor grips: one - the suite was very very cold - with seemingly little ability to heat it up to any degree (despite playing around with the air con and getting them to put the fire on!). We went to bed in our dressing gowns to begin with! The other was that the night time room service menu was (I think) very poor for a 5 star hotel - with no vegetarian option at all although the chef did offer to make us a pasta dish. Surely we cant be the only people that stay there that might get back from a concert or event late and want something substantial to eat? However those were minor gripes. My friend had a massage at the spa and declared it was the best she had ever had (and she should know as she is a spa junkie!). The breakfast menu (room service) was also quite good. So - overall I would give it 9 out of 10 - and I would definitely go back.

The best hotel in Edinburgh. Located just a few steps away from shops&restaurants of George's Street, it gives a straight and fast access to all the historic sites of the city. We walked to Edinburgh Castle in 15 minutes.
Very large, spacious and well maintained rooms, fabulous breakfasts with good music, very good service and attention from the staff. And what a bathrobe in the room! :)
Yes, it's a but overpriced but so are the 5* in England. Comparing to Sheraton Edinburgh, The Balmoral is worth the money.