The Balmoral, Edinburgh
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh
The Balmoral is one of the most beautiful buildings in Edinburgh. While many claim to have Edinburgh's landmarks on their doorstep, the Balmoral's doorstep is a landmark. With its majestic clock tower the hotel is a unique and contemporary luxury and child-freindly five-star hotel in the very heart of Edinburgh. Within comfortable walking distance of the cities many attractions, stunning landmarks and the shops enjoying the city en famille is not going to be a headache!
Accommodation
The beautifully designed 168 rooms and 20 suites combine contemporary elegance with The Balmoral's strong sense of Scottish history and charm. Each has individually-controlled air-conditioning, decadent marble and ceramic bathrooms, sumptuous fluffy towels (why aren't mine like it??), cosy bath robes and luxurious Italian toiletries to relax - as well as all the amenities you'd need to carry on with any out-standing work that you may have including desks, phone lines and broadband internet (wi-fi is available in public areas).
The private dining menu, well-stocked in-room bar and snack basket, interactive television with UK and satellite stations, including Sky, walk-in dressing rooms, security safe, portable professional hairdryer (essential for some of my friends!) and lots of storage space mean that you can comfortably crash out and truly relax with your clan. And with the Family Affair Package you'll have even more space as when booking one bedroom you will receive an interconnecting room for the children for free, as well as complimentary Scottish Breakfast for two adults and two children.
Dining
When it comes to dining the choice of restaurants at The Balmoral is perfect. With attentive but non-intrusive service you may choose from the hotel's Michelin-starred "number one" fine dining restaurant with outstanding cuisine provided by Chef Jeff Bland; Hadrian's for chic and informal dining; Palm Court for traditional afternoon tea (a must) or its very own Bollinger Bar. The newly refurbished and stylish Balmoral Bar provides the scene for a fab cocktail or traditional whisky.
The stylish 1930s Art Deco Hadrian's is more suited to family dining and serves delicious food in an informal atmosphere (phew!). Jeff Bland has created a cosmopolitan menu offering a mix of Scottish dishes and innovative European cuisine - that means that there is no compromise for any of you when trying to get suitable nosh for all. Children under 3 eat for free, children under 12 get a 50% discount on food.
The Children's Room Service Menu includes a range of delicious treats including chargrilled chicken fingers and Big Balmoral's banana split, all beautifully presented on children's crockery, accompanied by a Cinderella Cocktail (age appropriate).
And if you get a baby-sitter arranged for some grown-up time you need look no further than "number one" for a fabulous and memorable fine-dining experience.
Facilities
As far as the kids go it's taken care of - Five Star Babies, Kids and Teens Programmes provide essentials for all ages to make the hotel room experience easier. For babies wooden cots, free teddies, toiletries, complimentary milk on turn down, nappies, changing mats and practical stools to help little ones reach - then again maybe hide it! Bottle warmers and sterilisers are conveniently provided if required.
Older kids get their own "Check-in Cards" and receive a gift int heir room on arrival, "Junior Accessories" including Balmoral-branded ducks, bubble bath and pampering products, Teddy turndown where kids get their own "Balmoral Teddy", which is placed on their pillow during the evening turn-down service, customised robes and slippers to snuggle up in when watching the movies and DVDs on offer. The Balmoral quiz encourages kids to explore the hotel with a customised quiz and special prize on completion!
For teenagers Play Station II and games, Headphones for PSII (hurray!), a Complimentary 15-minute Internet Card, Complimentary "Mocktails" on arrival (grown-up version of kids' cocktails), Girlie manicures in The Balmoral Spa (French Manicures, Pink Polish), including Jessica nail polish to take away (£25) 100% pure and natural bathroom products not tested on animals (The Rocco Forte Collection own brand), Board games to loan, Teddy turndown - you're never too old, DVDs (classification 12+), Baseball cap (as a gift for boys) and a range of books with a Scottish theme such as J.K Rowling's Harry Potter series. A weekend newsletter with "top tips" for teenagers (music, events, festivals, fashion etc), as well as the specialist "city services" available at Concierge Desk, where the team will tailor a teenage itinerary help make sure that teenage angst is kept at bay.
Spa
The Balmoral Spa is an exclusive retreat. Voted 'Scotland's Top Urban Day Spa' in Condé Nast Traveller's 2008 Readers' Spa Awards, it offers five treatment rooms (with ESPA and Ytsara treatments) a 15 metre swimming pool, sauna, steam room, gymnasium and exercise studio. After a hectic day sight-seeing it seems like the perfect anti-dote.
Local attractions include the stunning Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Arthur's Seat, Murrayfield National Rugby Stadium and Glenkinchie Famous Lowland Malt Whisky Distillery, National Gallery, Omni Centre.
It's all so accessible - enjoy!