The Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh Interior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ

Next to Edinburgh Old Town

Perfect

9.1

9.6

/10

4.7

Loved by The Balmoral Hotel guests

Excellent location

Delicious breakfast

Helpful concierge service

Professional staff

Luxury hotel

"We really appreciated the attention to details (e.g binoculars provided in room to have a closer look at Edinburgh's architecture)."

Alan from United Kingdom

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"The spa is probably the best asset of the hotel, a beautiful swimming pool & a well equipped gym."

KendalMint2

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"The view from my room window was stunning , straight out onto the castle and princess street ."

Sarah

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5-star historic hotel on Princes Street with a 4 AA Rosette restaurant and a whisky bar offering over 500 varieties of Scotch

Dining & Bar

Number One restaurant holds a 4 AA Rosette award for its fine dining. The SCOTCH whisky bar stocks over 500 varieties of Scottish whisky, with expert whisky ambassadors on hand to guide tastings. Palm Court serves an award-winning afternoon tea in a setting that includes a live harpist.

Rooms & Suites

Rooms include spacious marble bathrooms and interactive televisions, with many offering direct views of Edinburgh Castle. The hotel's Balmoral tartan design elements appear in decor throughout the property. Generous suites such as the Bowes-Lyon Suite and Glamis Suite provide separate living areas and in-room dining options.

Spa & Wellness

The Balmoral Spa contains 5 treatment rooms, a sauna, and a Turkish steam room for a full range of body treatments, facials, and massages. The indoor swimming pool is open year-round, and the fitness centre includes a personal trainer and exercise studio. Spa/wellness packages and spa lounge/relaxation area are available for guests.

Services & Amenities

The hotel offers valet parking and a parking garage, 24-hour front desk, and concierge service. Express check-in/check-out, daily housekeeping, and laundry service are provided. Meeting and banquet facilities, family rooms, and pet-friendly accommodations are available on request.

Location

The Balmoral sits on Princes Street, directly adjacent to Waverley Station and a 5-minute walk from Edinburgh's main shopping area. Edinburgh Castle, Princess Street Gardens, and the Royal Mile are all within walking distance. Edinburgh Airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel.

Highlights

Dining: 4 AA Rosette Number One and SCOTCH whisky bar with 500 varieties

Rooms: Marble bathrooms, castle views, Balmoral tartan design

Spa: 5 treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish steam room, indoor pool

Services: Valet parking, concierge, 24-hour front desk, pet-friendly

Location: On Princes Street, steps from Waverley Station and attractions

“This hotel strikes me as a luxurious urban retreat, blending historic architecture with modern design; its central location is ideal for exploring Edinburgh's attractions, while the bespoke tartan and personalized service create a distinctly Scottish experience. With award-winning dining and exceptional spa facilities, it seems designed for both relaxation and indulgence. A truly special place to stay.”

Grace WhitmanContent & Editorial Director at Familyhotels

Location: Perfect

9.7/10Review score

View our interactive map

Highlights from guests

Children's AmenitiesFamily First

Our 2-year-old loved the perfect-sized crib, special baby amenities, and toys provided. Milk and cookies at bedtime were a treat!

Emily Carter from United States

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Spa & LeisureRelaxing Escape

The spa was amazing! The pool, sauna, and steam room provided a peaceful retreat. The massage was really relaxing.

James Olsen from Canada

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DiningBreakfast Bliss

Breakfast was amazing, with a huge buffet selection and made-to-order options. Excellent variety of fresh pastries and hot items.

Olivia Chen from Singapore

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Guest ParkingSeamless Arrival

The valet parking made everything so easy. They took care of the car immediately and brought our bags straight to the room.

David Smith from Australia

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Choose from a variety of room types

Choose from a wide variety of rooms designed for families, including double rooms, family suites, and rooms with breakfast included

Executive View Room
2 persons
270 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed
Air conditioning
Heating
room details
Double Room
2 persons
270 sq. feet
1 Double bed
room details
Classic Double Room
2 persons
205 sq. feet
1 Queen-size bed
room details

Show all rooms

Availability and pricing for your selected dates

Book your family’s getaway in a snap with up-to-date availability and pricing!

Facilities

Each family-friendly hotel provides top-notch amenities for an unforgettable stay with your loved ones

Facilities: Perfect

9.2/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Car park
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Luggage storage
Locker room
Lift

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Sports trainer

Services

Valet parking
Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Cots
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Indoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Turkish bath
Steam room
Pedicure
Manicure
Body scrub
Facial
Treatment room
Body wraps
Back massage
Head massage
Full body massage
Foot massage

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Air conditioning
Heating
Mini-bar
Sitting area
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Separate tub and shower

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Dining Onsite

The Balmoral Hotel offers a delightful blend of dining experiences that celebrate both traditional and modern culinary arts. Guests can enjoy vibrant atmospheres and a diverse range of menus, making it a perfect destination for those seeking both comfort and sophistication.

The Balmoral Hotel Edinburgh Restaurant photo

Brasserie Prince

British and French

Ambiance

Family-friendly, traditional yet modern setting, perfect for gatherings or casual meals.

Key Offerings

Enjoy a thoughtfully crafted menu featuring options for kosher, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diners, open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Reservation

Recommended

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner; specific hours may vary.

Number One

Scottish

Ambiance

Modern, elegant space ideal for intimate dining experiences.

Key Offerings

Indulge in a carefully prepared dinner menu that caters to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets, offering unique local flavors.

Reservation

Required

Dinner only; specific hours may vary.

The Balmoral Hotel Location

1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ

Map view

City landmarks

Museum

Edinburgh Castle

3300 ft

Landmark

Arthur's Seat hike

1.2 mi

Palace

Palace of Holyroodhouse

4100 ft

Museum

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

2800 ft

Landmark

Royal Mile

2500 ft

Gallery

Scottish National Gallery

2200 ft

Park

Princes Street Gardens

3200 ft

Landmark

The Scotch Whisky Experience

2800 ft

Theatre

Festival Theatre

3000 ft

Museum

The Writers' Museum

2300 ft

Museum

Dynamic Earth

4100 ft

Landmark

Surgeons' Hall Museum

2700 ft

Museum

Gladstone's Land

2300 ft

Botanical Garden

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

1.2 mi

Landmark

Princes Street

2100 ft

Public Building

The Scottish Parliament

3700 ft

Nearby

2 Warriston's Close

The Real Mary King's Close

1900 ft

St. Andrews House 2 Regent Road

Calton Hill

1700 ft

Church

St Giles' Cathedral

1500 ft

Monument

Scott Monument

900 ft

Museum

Museum of Childhood

1800 ft

Store

Edinburgh Old Town

1500 ft

32 Calton Hill

Nelson Monument

1700 ft

Gallery

City Art Centre

1100 ft

Museum

John Knox House

2000 ft

Restaurants

Palm Court at The Balmoral

1 Princes Street The Balmoral Hotel

The Cafe Royal

400 ft

19 West Register Street

The Guildford Arms

300 ft

1-5 West Register Street

Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux

1500 ft

1 Princes Street The Balmoral Hotel

Martone

400 ft

1 Waterloo Place

The Newsroom

500 ft

5-11 Leith Street

Saigon Saigon

600 ft

14 South St. Andrew Street

Cafe Royal Oyster Bar

500 ft

19 West Register Street

Explore Edinburgh

Local Highlights

Edinburgh Castle

12 minutes' walk

Historic fortress atop Castle Rock, offering stunning views and rich history. Explore exhibitions and the Crown Jewels.

National Museum of Scotland

11 minutes' walk

Extensive museum showcasing Scotland's history, culture, and natural wonders. Admission is free, with special exhibitions available.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

15 minutes' walk

Official residence of the Queen in Scotland. Visit the State Apartments and explore beautiful gardens.

Scott Monument

3 minutes' walk

Gothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott. Climb 287 steps for panoramic city views.

Arthur's Seat Hike

35 minutes' walk

Scenic hiking trails at this ancient volcano provide stunning views over Edinburgh. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Princes Street Gardens

12 minutes' walk

Urban park ideal for relaxation with picturesque views of the castle. Great for picnics and leisurely walks.

Palm Court at The Balmoral

1 minute' walk

Elegant setting for traditional afternoon tea alongside a delightful menu of seasonal dishes. Reservations recommended.

Brasserie Prince by Alain Roux

6 minutes' walk

French-inspired brasserie with a modern twist. Highlights include fresh seafood and exquisite desserts, with a chic atmosphere.

The Cafe Royal

2 minutes' walk

Victorian pub famous for its seafood and real ales. Casual dining experience with hearty traditional dishes.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

10 minutes' walk

Interactive attraction featuring optical illusions and a rooftop terrace with stunning views. Suitable for all ages.

The Stand Comedy Club

15 minutes' walk

Intimate venue for live comedy with a vibrant atmosphere. Regular line-ups of local and national comedians.

Tips on navigating the city

City Centre
Edinburgh 5 min · 1400 ft
Airports
Edinburgh (EDI) 23 min · 9.1 mi
Glasgow (GLA) 134 min · 55.4 mi
Train
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station 3 min · 700 ft
Bus
Bus stop 3 min · 700 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

from 01:00-12:00

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.

Breakfast

You can start your day with a full breakfast, which costs GBP 34.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

Maximum capacity of extra beds in a room is 1.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Year renovated:

2012

Number of floors:

Number of rooms:

162

Family-focused reviews and ratings

Read feedback from other families who have stayed to ensure you make the right choice.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Balmoral is celebrated for its beautiful architecture and ideally central location, granting easy access to Edinburgh's main attractions and being steps away from the train station. Guests often find the rooms spacious and comfortable, with some offering executive views. While some guests have noted issues with specific room views not matching expectations, many appreciate the little extras like replenished water and twice-daily servicing.

Review score

Based on 3 verified reviews

6.0 /10

Nice

100%

Recommend

Location

9.7/10

Comfort

9.5/10

Value for money

8.1/10

Free Wi-Fi

8.7/10

Pros

Fantastic location

Amazing breakfast

Special touches

Cons

Bland decor

Unnecessary room

based on 5138 reviews

4.5/5

Ava from Canada

Couple

Classic Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 25, 2025

6/10

broken safe soft pillows

I found some aspects of my stay less than stellar. The in-room safe was NOT working during my entire stay. Maintenance never fixed it. The pillows provided were too soft for MY liking, and I had a hard time getting firmer ones.

0 Helpful

Oscar from Sweden

Couple

Deluxe King Room

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 15, 2025

6/10

elevator out of service significant delays

the valet parking was convenient. i appreciated the easy access upon arrival.

one of the elevators was out of service! it was frustrating as i was on a higher floor. this caused significant delays, especially during peak hours.

0 Helpful

Ethan from United States

Single

classic double room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 14, 2025

6/10

underwhelming stay

small room slow service

i gotta say, my stay wasn't all that. the room was kinda small, i expect better for what i paid. also, the service at breakfast? slow is an understatement. i mean, how long does it take to get a cup of coffee? and they didn't even bother to refill the tissues in the bathroom. it's like, come on, guys.

0 Helpful

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