The Balmoral Hotel
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ Scotland
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About
#12 of 169 hotels in Edinburgh
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Service
4.7
Value
4.2
Travelers' Choice
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. The perfect marriage of tradition and modernity, each of the 167 rooms has been individually designed by Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Design Olga Polizzi. Elegant and stylish with unmistakably Scottish accents, each of our 20 Edinburgh suites are generous with magnificent views. Enjoy 4AA Rosette dining at the famous Number One restaurant, sample modern Scottish Afternoon Tea under the glass dome of Palm Court or relax in the serene sanctuary of The Balmoral Spa. Brasserie Prince, launched in 2018, celebrates a 'new alliance': matching the very best of Scottish produce with classic French cooking, while 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. 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.
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Property amenities
Valet parking
Free internet
Pool
Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room
Bar / lounge
Walking tours
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
Airport transportation
Wifi
Paid wifi
Indoor pool
Heated pool
Fitness / spa locker rooms
Fitness classes
Personal trainer
Sauna
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Breakfast buffet
Breakfast in the room
Complimentary tea
Kids' meals
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Taxi service
Conference facilities
Banquet room
Meeting rooms
Spa
Couples massage
Facial treatments
Full body massage
Head massage
Manicure
Massage
Pedicure
Salon
Steam room
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Concierge
Currency exchange
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Butler service
Doorperson
24-hour check-in
24-hour front desk
Private check-in / check-out
Dry cleaning
Laundry service
Ironing service
Shoeshine
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Room features
Allergy-free room
Soundproof rooms
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Flatscreen TV
Bath / shower
Bathrobes
Interconnected rooms available
Room service
Safe
Telephone
VIP room facilities
Wardrobe / closet
Bottled water
Clothes rack
Private bathrooms
Tile / marble floor
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Minibar
Refrigerator
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
City view
Landmark view
Bridal suite
Non-smoking rooms
Suites
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
HOTEL STYLE
City View
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Italian
Location
100Great for walkers
Grade: 100 out of 100
365Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
198Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ Scotland
Getting there
Rental CarsSee rental cars from $49/day
5293Reviews105Q+A100Room tips
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We arrived on an unseasonably sunny and warm, busy day in Edinburgh. The service was warm, genuine and professional. The valet parking was excellent. The rooms are light, clean and airy. I like the decoration and the architecture of the hotel. It was in a fantastic location and very central, but it was not noisy in the rooms at all. We enjoyed supper in the Bristo and a comfortable night in the hotel, with fluffy white towels, excellent bathing products and a sense of comfort. The marble bathroom is exactly the same as the Mandarin Oriental in London. We would return!
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Quality of rooms were great - clean, roomy, mattresses were great. Staff were all helpful and friendly. Location of hotel was good. We experienced no problems at this hotel. Breakfasts were excellent quality.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from The Balmoral, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel
Responded 2 days ago
Dear Thomas R, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive feedback. I am delighted to hear that you had such a great experience during your stay with us. I am thrilled to learn that the helpful and friendly service left a positive impression on you, and that you enjoyed our convenient location. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again in the future. With all best wishes, Andrew McPherson General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
For the price I would have expected more. Great location, got the feeling tje conceriage steered you to his buddies and did not include breakfast. Just an ok experience not tremendous compared to the 1000 pound price per night, you could do better elsewhere
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Generally speaking the Balmoral was excellent--so glad to be able to have spent 4 nights there for my birthday trip. Almost perfect with one significant glitch which is probably only relevant to those who are booking through the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts' platform and want/expect the hotel to at least try to fulfill the benefits categories that come along with these bookings. First though, the positives: the hotel is excellently located in the "new town" right next to the main train station--while this does make it a very busy location it's convenience can't be beat--I loved how it was right across from St. James' Quarter with Starbucks, etc, there. The hotel has great "noise insulation" so we didn't hear anything from our room despite its busy location. Hotel is obviously a historic icon in the city--gorgeous. I didn't consider it "tired" at all but it does in many areas have a more "traditional" style which is to be expected. Rooms are very comfortable, great beds, great quality towels, excellent, nightly turndown service which I consider a sign of a true "five star hotel". Bathroom does have the issue of the "step in" shower/tub combinations which my mother had a somewhat hard time with--they really should replace those completely. Staff were in general great--special shout out to Ben at the concierge desk who was so kind and so helpful--thank you, thank you, thank you! What a positive asset to this hotel! Food was also very good at the Brasserie Prince--loved it for dinner. Breakfast was decent too although they don't have items like waffles or French toast. Not a big deal. Their Michelin-starred "Number One" restaurant though was another story--but I think it's probably more so due to the fact that we're not serious "foodies" and also don't drink wine. Our experience there was not pleasant--2.5 hours to get through the 7 courses, none of which were very impressive and some that were gross--like "sweatbreads" (ie. cow brains). Yuck lol. But again, if you're a major foodie then you'll probably like it--other than the over $400 it costs per person WITHOUT wine if you factor in tip, tax, and service charges. Oh well--lesson learned. The major flat with this hotel and why I can't give it a full 5 stars or fully recommend it is more so for those considering booking it through the Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts' platform. One of the (non-guaranteed) benefits is a room upgrade based on availability. Unfortunately, this did not occur--and the front desk agent made no mention as to why. She simply said they couldn't upgrade the room and when I said that's a real shame made no further comment. Later, based on me looking up the hotel's availability that night (September 9) it turned out the hotel was full--which makes sense then why there was no ability to provide an upgrade--but the remainder of the 3 nights there WAS pretty much all additional categories available. (And beds can be "twinned" in most rooms, so that's not an excuse either.) The following morning I sent a message asking if it would be possible for an upgrade for the remaining three nights of the reservation--and promptly got back a reply telling me that they (the agent Andrea who responded) couldn't assist with that matter and for me to try going to the front desk and seeing what they could do if I wanted. It was disappointing that they wouldn't even bother to handle it themselves but would rather have a guest (paying over $3,000 for the room and then another almost $1,000 in incidentals) to go to the front desk and "plead their case".) I decided this was going to be a fool's errand so I didn't bother to pursue the matter further. It's clear the hotel didn't want to provide an upgrade as it would cost them $$$ and isn't a guaranteed benefit. However, in my opinion, a hotel of this caliber should try harder and when an upgrade is not available (for guests who are booking through any program that offers possible upgrades that is) should first explain WHY an upgrade isn't available and then find an alternative--such as "Unfortunately, we're completely booked tonight but if you'd be willing to move rooms tomorrow (or whenever) we'd be delighted to upgrade you to a XXX category room." Oh well. First world issue but nonetheless disappointing as this was the first time that I have booked through Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts and been completely denied any upgrade whatsoever. Overall, the hotel is recommended--very expensive but worth it in my opinion if you're looking for a luxurious stay--just keep in mind the points I mentioned if you're going to book through a platform like Amex FHR.…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from The Balmoral, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel
Responded 3 days ago
Dear matthew618, Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed review and feedback. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed many aspects of your stay, from the hotel's location and amenities to the helpful staff. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience you experienced with the room upgrade benefit through the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts. Your feedback is valuable to us, and rest assured that I will personally follow up with the individuals involved. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future for another luxurious stay. Please feel free to reach out directly if you plan to return, and we will do our best to ensure your stay exceeds expectations. Thank you for choosing The Balmoral. With all best wishes, Andrew McPherson General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
They messed up badly with check out invoice (several times). They wanted to charge several times for same services and didn´t got it right even on 3 time. If they had invoice correctly on chek out it would be excellant stay.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: September 2023
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Balmoral, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel
Responded 4 days ago
Dear rutip570 I was most sorry to learn of the error made on your invoice. I have spoken with my Front Desk Team and understand that a gesture was made by way of apology and that the matter was concluded. Errors on guest invoices are very rare, however should it occur we always review our processes and provide additional training and support where necessary. I very much hope that otherwise you had a wonderful stay and that we shall have the great pleasure of welcoming you back to The Balmoral in the too distant future. Kindest regards Andrew McPherson General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
This hotel has long been on my husband's/I bucket list!! We thought it would be perfect for our 1st time in Scotland and celebrating 2 special occasions. We booked over 1 year in advance, emailing reservations/front desk/even a hotel mgr to kindly request an inner facing room (very light sleepers), with fan in room for white noise, on upper floor. We've been blessed to stay in many 5 star luxurious hotels - including many in Europe and sadly this one fell short of expectations due to our room. I will list positives/negatives of stay: Positives: I respectfully disagree with some reviewers that the hotel is tired - as it has all been refurbished and is in classic/old fashioned style, old world charm - which we LOVE!! Irene at front desk has to be one of the best employees we've met anywhere - went tirelessly above and beyond to remedy our room situation!!! Breakfast/lunch in Brasserie was absolutely fantastic in every way!! Location good in New Town - but know that even in September, Edinburgh is insanely crowded and hotel nearly full!! Great housekeeping (beware though of daily $50 USD service charge at checkout which can be removed upon request). Now sadly for the big negative: I was envisioning a beautiful deluxe room (requested one of the larger ones/still only 29 sq m - as many in hotel are terribly small/unacceptable even for Europe), in either blues or greens based on website (I realize site can't picture colors/layouts of each room but the purple colored room we received was not to be seen in any category nor very Scottish looking!). Irene told me there was only 1 of these rooms in Deluxe inner facing room. I did appreciate 5th floor, inner view, and fan, quiet location! Another negative of room was super high bathtub/shower combo - extremely dangerous which others have mentioned. We didn't mind not having a view as we wanted to sleep well - we went inside other rooms in different directions when looking for another room - and no way would I ever want an external room - sirens extremely loud, construction, etc! There were no other rooms available to move to pictured on website and the only suites were external and insultingly not very discounted. So we agreed to stay and make most of it - no problem! HOWEVER, when it came time to turn lights off for bed - our room was bright and couldn't figure out why. We were near a corner and light coming in strongly from 1 window and the curtains slightly broken/sagging - letting in more light. Couldn't sleep - was at front desk at 2am, thinking our 5 night vacay was ruined!! Manager unhelpful - no where suitable to move so had to wait till next morning for maintenance to arrive - in which they are literally responsible for saving our vacation!!! They came to room to fix curtains while we were out touring and told us the light was from service room that should be off in overnight hours (no other staff could tell me this - seemed bewildered!); they made sure it was off during our entire stay! Room was much darker but still not as dark as would expect with blackout curtains/inner facing. I am most grateful to maintenance for saving us and would recommend to future guests - be specific in requests if wanting certain color choice, etc. Based on the positives of this hotel and how iconic it is - I would be willing to give it another try on a future visit but at a less busy time of year!…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from The Balmoral, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel
Responded 3 days ago
Dear travelinspiration, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback with us. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding regarding the room situation. We are delighted that Irene and our maintenance team were able to assist during your stay. I will add that your room feedback has been noted, and we will certainly look at ways to improve upon your comments. I do hope you will consider returning during a quieter time of the year, and we will strive to meet your expectations. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts. We look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back. With all good wishes, Andrew McPherson General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
What a fabulous stay - beautiful property in a prime position. The service was faultless, the food was fabulous at all 4 meals we enjoyed there. The room had a spectacular view of old town, was well appointed with any amenity you could think of. The room and bathroom were spotless, well appointed, spacious and comfortable. Highly recommend.
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Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip: The rooms overlooking old town are fabulous.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from The Balmoral, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel
Responded 3 days ago
Dear Gottaluvsummer, Thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful review. We're delighted to hear you had a fabulous stay with us. Your kind words about our property, service, and food means the world to us. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. With all best wishes, Andrew McPherson General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Balmoral is an amazing stay from the moment you pull up to the curb. The staff, from the valets to the servers, etc., are polite, highly professional and efficient. The hotel itself has been immaculately maintained and is in a great location in Edinburgh.
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Date of stay: August 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: If you’re driving yourself to the Balmoral, it can be a bit of a challenge getting a parking spot...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from The Balmoral, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel
Responded 5 days ago
Dear wfagnanel Thank you kindly for your 5 star rating and compliments regarding our location, the hotel itself and of course our wonderful team members. I very much hope we shall have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future. Kindest regards Andrew McPherson General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Frm cheking in to check out was good.Bed and pillow was amazing,location is excelent! Staff was amazing!breakfast was very good and my first time to eat haggis,so good!Room was immaculately clean.sooo relaxing vacation we had.
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: Great location and amazing hotel indeed!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from The Balmoral, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel
Responded 6 days ago
Dear Jrandyh Thank you for taking the time to post and for your 5 star rating. I am delighted you had a wonderful stay with us and I pleased you enjoyed many aspects of your stay, not least sampling our national dish, haggis! I will take great pleasure in sharing your complimentary comments with the team. I very much hope we shall have the great pleasure of welcoming you back to The Balmoral in the future. Kindest regards Andrew McPherson General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
It’s beautiful, posh, impeccable and with every attention to detail…. and although this would be easily expected of a five star hotel, it was actually the staff that was unbelievable. Everyone, EVERYONE went above and beyond - even for the smallest request. The room service food was wonderful. I left a charging cord unraveled on the desk and the room attendant rolled it up for me nicely and put a nice little velcro ring around it to keep it in place. The details were never ending. Even their hygiene items were superior. The night cream that they provide during the turn down service at first feels a lil tacky on the skin but within minutes turns unbelievably smooth. The hair ties that they supply were literally the BEST hair ties I have ever used in my life. I acquired 10 during my stay at the Balmoral and I have to make them last for the rest of my life. 😂 The beds were unbelievably perfect. Soft, comfy yet supportive… you don’t feel like you’re 100 years old when you try getting out of it in the morning. Lastly - LOCATION!! The Balmoral used to be the old rail station in Edinburgh, so it is LITERALLY right next-door to all of the trains and shops and restaurants. The location could not possibly be any better. It is ridiculously close to the hop on hop off buses as well. I just cannot say enough about this hotel, its staff or its location. The hair ties alone should put it in a sixth star category!! ⭐️ 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻…
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Date of stay: September 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: The concierge desk at this hotel is your tourist lifeline.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from The Balmoral, General Manager at The Balmoral Hotel
Responded 6 days ago
Dear CK M Thank you for your most complimentary review and I am thrilled you had a wonderful stay with us. It always delights me when a guest comments that they have noticed all the small touches, as cumulatively these are what I believe sets us apart and keeps us at the very top of our business. I will take great pleasure in sharing your comments with the ladies and gentlemen whom I have the great pleasure of working with each day. I hope we shall have the pleasure of welcoming you back in the not too distant future I hope. My thanks to you for taking the time to post. Kindest regards Andrew McPherson General Manager
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Edinburgh area.
PRICE RANGE
$418 - $777 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
balmoral hotel edinburgh, balmoral edinburgh hotel
LOCATION
United KingdomScotlandEdinburghPrinces Street and Gardens / Old Town
NUMBER OF ROOMS
187
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Claim Your ListingTHE BALMORAL HOTEL - Updated 2023 Prices & Reviews (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Balmoral Hotel
Which popular attractions are close to The Balmoral Hotel?
Nearby attractions include The Real Mary King's Close (0.2 miles), The Chocolatarium (0.3 miles), and Escape Hunt Edinburgh (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at The Balmoral Hotel?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an indoor pool, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
Which room amenities are available at The Balmoral Hotel?
Top room amenities include a minibar, air conditioning, and a flat screen TV.
What food & drink options are available at The Balmoral Hotel?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
What are some restaurants close to The Balmoral Hotel?
Conveniently located restaurants include Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, Howies Waterloo Place, and Duck & Waffle Edinburgh.
Are there opportunities to exercise at The Balmoral Hotel?
Yes, guests have access to an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a sauna during their stay.
Does The Balmoral Hotel have airport transportation?
Yes, The Balmoral Hotel offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Is The Balmoral Hotel located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.2 miles away from the center of Edinburgh.
Are any cleaning services offered at The Balmoral Hotel?
Yes, dry cleaning and laundry service are offered to guests.
Are pets allowed at The Balmoral Hotel?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.