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 How
does a leading hotel in one of Scotland’s most attractive cities raise
its status so that it itself becomes a landmark, in a place replete with
them? A seven million pound refurbishment project does the job quite
well.
With
its idyllic location in the downtown core, across the street from the
Waverley Train Station and a stretch of luxury department stores and
boutiques near the foot of Princes Street, The Balmoral was always a hotel
icon in the city from its inception in 1902 as the North British Hotel.
When time began to dull its luster, Rocco Forte Hotels, which counts a
number of luxury European hotels in its collection, including the
Astoria in St. Petersburg, spent eighteen months renovating each of the
hotel’s 188 rooms, The Sir Walter Scott Ballroom, seven conference and
banquet suites, and the “number one” restaurant and Lobby. Every
element of the initial prized design received a facelift, matching the
hotel chain’s commitment to the finest details and to indulging their
clients in a warm and creative atmosphere. Industry executives have
noticed. With refurbished rooms and suites looking out onto The Old
Town, Edinburgh Castle in the distance, or the ornate and peaceful rear
courtyard of the hotel, The Balmoral itself feels like an emblem of the
city’s medieval culture. Readers of Scotland Magazine agreed in
the 2004 Icons of Scotland awards, naming the new Balmoral as one of the
best reflections of Scottish culture in its Food and Drink category.
The honour, bestowed on the hotel, has Jeff Bland to thank,
the executive chef at the Michelin-starred number one restaurant.
Renowned by locals and a niche group of American visitors who stay
exclusively at the Balmoral during their time, Bland’s creativity and
passion for food has earned him a legion of dedicated diners and
travellers. Even the country’s most acclaimed food and wine critic has
called number one “dependable” and “classy.” Highlighted
by fixed course menus for lunch and dinner that change daily, the energy and flair of Bland and his
staff can be found in the flavours of each and every dish. On any given
day, lunch might consist of a foie gras parfait with apple chutney, sea
bream on crushed ratte potatoes and dressed with sauce verde, and fresh
strawberries with a poached meringue. The dinner menu is similarly
impressive. On a summer evening, start with a celery soup with spinach
and ricotta ravioli, walnuts and chive oil, or a French rabbit loin in
sweet corn custard. Mains include Gressingham duck breast with
cumin-spiced butternut squash, loin of lamb with sweetbreads, and a
fillet of sea bass with braised fennel and baby artichoke barigoule.
Desserts are simply prepared and soft on the palate, and a fine selection of ports and a cheese plate bring
the meal to a close. Also within the hotel, Hadrian’s, a
stylish and informal brasserie, and The Bar at Palm Court, for tea, light snacks, and
dim-lit evening entertainment, give the Balmoral experience some shape
and texture.
Pre-renovation, rooms at the Balmoral were, as one would
suppose them to be at a legendary hotel; exquisite, if a little cramped.
Today, under the watchful eye of renovator Olga Polizzi’s
refurbishments in the last 18 months, the rooms again glow with the
traditions of Scotland, featuring colours and textures that open up the
space. Ea rth tones reminiscent of the heathers and mists of the
country are featured in the linens and other textiles in the room, while
silks, wools, and leather fabrics accent the headboards and other
furnishings. Artwork adds another layer to the Scottish thematics of the
room, featuring prints of local artists, and spacious marble and ceramic
bathrooms with terry cloth towels and robes head the list of luxury touches in the restroom.
With easy access to the wonders of the city, The Balmoral is
a perfect starting point from which to explore the great city sights.
Set in the shopping district overlooking Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town
features stunning architecture that dates back to the 12th
century. More than 20 golf courses around the city perimeter (and of
course, hundreds more should one use to take a day trip with their
clubs), a burgeoning theatre district in the west end, and the annual
International Festival in the summertime are all reason enough to spend
a few days in this charming city built in the volcanic hills. Should one
ever lose their way touring about the downtown core and exploring the
myriad of sights, one can simply search the skyline for the Balmoral
clock tower, set two minutes fast so that guests and pedestrians do not
miss their train out of Waverley station. The crown on this iconic
hotel, after 18 months and seven million pounds later, the Balmoral is
once again a landmark edifice in this ancient town.
Where
to Stay
The Balmoral -
www.roccofortehotels.com - 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ Scotland
Tel: +44 131 556 2414 - Fax: +44 131 557 3747 - E-mail: thebalmoralhotel@rfhotels.com
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