The Balmoral, A Rocco Forte Hotel
Edinburgh and The Lothians

Consistently voted one of Scotland's finest hotels, the Rocco Forte Balmoral is a world-class luxury hotel located on Princes Street, right in the heart of Edinburgh. Housed in the city's historic clock-tower building just minutes from Waverley station, The Balmoral manages to merge tradition, luxury and modernity as few hotels do. A refurbishment led by Olga Polizzi has given The Balmoral an elegant Scottish heritage feel combined with sleek contemporary touches high ceilings, gold chandeliers and neo-classical pillars lead on to rooms of soft cream carpets, bold fabrics and modern art. You'll find quirky touches such as iconic Sean Connery prints in the bathrooms in addition to traditional fur rugs, marble fireplaces and antique carpets in bedrooms. Rooms have the best views in the city choose between Edinburgh Castle, the Walter Scott monument or Princes Street. The hotel is also great for families children are spoilt with bathroom amenities, dressing gowns, Sony play stations and teddy bears on arrival. Like Brown's, its sister hotel, The Balmoral spoils you with dining options enjoy Michelin-starred cuisine at the Number One restaurant or take a light lunch at Hadrian's Brasserie. Drinks and cocktails can be enjoyed at the glamorous Balmoral bar or Victorian-era style Bollinger Bar in the hotel's Palm Court.

To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson