The Balmoral Hotel is the clock-tower building at 1 Princes Street, next to Waverley station. It opened in 1902 and is a 5-star hotel with a spa, a pool, a gym, several restaurants and a whisky bar. Many rooms have views of the castle and the Old Town.
Location and getting around
Waverley station is right next door: you arrive by train and are at reception in under 5 minutes. The Royal Mile, by St Giles’, and the Scott Monument are about 5 minutes on foot. Calton Hill, the National Museum of Scotland and the Grassmarket are about 10 minutes away, and the castle about 15. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is about 20 minutes on foot.
Rooms and facilities
Rooms and suites have a marble bathroom and an interactive TV. The spa includes a pool and a gym.
There are several places to eat in the hotel: the Number One restaurant, Brasserie Prince and the Palm Court, where afternoon tea is served. At the SCOTCH bar there are, according to the property, more than 500 whiskies. Breakfast can be a buffet, from the menu, full Scottish or continental.
Who it suits
- Practical if you arrive by train and want the hotel at the station exit.
- A good fit if you are interested in Scotch whisky.
- Ideal if you want a swim or the spa after sightseeing.
- Worth asking about if you want castle views (request a room that has them).
Good to know
At check-in you will be asked for photo ID and a credit card. You can arrive between 15:00 and midnight and keep the room until 12:00. To compare, see other 5-star hotels.