Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh Scotland

Live like a Queen in Edinburgh

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Enjoying afternoon tea in Edinburgh is a treat you should put on your list to experience while visiting the city. One of the best places to experience this is at the Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh.

Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh

the balmoral hotel

Pots of tea come with a three-tiered serving tray overflowing with delicious goodies. There are crustless cucumber, salmon, egg and cheese sandwiches. And several types tarts as well as biscuits and crisps.

The scones are a highlight. Slather on the jam and lashings of clotted cream. Never mind the diet. It’s a treat to be savoured and washed down with French champagne.

Afternoon tea at Edinburgh’s Balmoral Hotel is a historic tradition that comes in many different flavours.

There are special afternoon teas like Tartan Tea and The Chocolate Dream. Rub shoulders with high society in the Bollinger Bar or the Drawing Room.

Or you can have them deliver your afternoon tea to your suite and enjoy it while you admire the view of Edinburgh’s skyline.

Balmoral Hotel History

the balmoral hotel

For a real treat book into a suite.

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Back in 1902, Balmoral Hotel was a traditional railway hotel known as the North British Station Hotel.

It became The Balmoral in 1991.

Many of the suites are named after Scottish castles.

The Bothwell Suite was named after Bothwell Castle, which is an ancient pile built in 1242. The castle is located by the River Clyde south-east of Glasgow.

Balmoral Hotel – Bothwell Suite

Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh

The Bothwell Suite is decked out in green and cream and earthy colours, a colour scheme that shows off Scotland’s moors, mists and heathers.

A painting of a Scottish noble hangs above the fireplace.

The hotel has a luxurious yet cosy feel, which is a blend of modern and classical. It’s sophisticated Scottish décor combined with the latest mod cons.

The marble bathroom is spacious and luxurious, with soft fluffy towels and robes.

Location of Balmoral Hotel

the balmoral hotel

At night, Edinburgh has a mysterious air. A walk around Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is quite atmospheric and a touch spooky. The cobblestone streets are a picture book of dramatic 12th-century architecture.

the balmoral hotel

The Royal Mile was the historic route from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the royal family stayed when they visited Edinburgh.

These days, it’s filled with souvenir shops selling kilts, bagpipes and family crests.

You simply can’t visit Edinburgh without going to Edinburgh Castle, the ancient castle that was once home to Scotland’s royal family.

The castle sits above the city and is Edinburgh’s top tourist attraction.

Here you’ll see the Scottish Crown Jewels.

Besides being located within walking distance from Edinburgh’s attractions, there are plenty of other things to do while staying here.

The hotel has a selection of creative tours that offer a taste of Scotland, such as the Balmoral Whisky Experience (includes a fine-dining dinner at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, whisky tastings and a visit to Glenkinchie Distillery).

The doorman at the hotel is a gem.

He greets guests by name and is smartly dressed in eye-catching Highland garb (kilt, sporran, brogues and jacket).

What’s there to eat?

Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh

Don’t miss the Scottish breakfast, which has hearty helpings of bacon and eggs, sausages, tomatoes and mushrooms, baked beans and haggis.

The hotel’s fine-dining restaurant is a Michelin-star hotel offering a top menu with Scottish hospitality.

The Balmoral Edinburgh, 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, tel: +44 131 556 2414.

Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh
Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh
Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh Scotland

The Balmoral Edinburgh, 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, tel: +44 131 556 2414.

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Christina Pfeiffer
Christina Pfeiffer is a writer, photographer and video blogger based in Queensland, Australia. She has lived in three continents and her career as a travel journalist has taken her to all seven continents. Since 2003, she has contributed travel stories and photographs to mainstream media in Australia and around the world such as the Sydney Morning Herald, CNN Traveller, The Australian and the South China Morning Post. She has won many travel writing awards and is a full member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers.