Elite Traveler Summer 2023

Photo Andrew Gunners / Getty Images

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Styled like a Baronial castle, gallantly rising up from the Scottish capital’s main thoroughfare of Princes Street, The Balmoral is as much an Edinburgh landmark as the historic monuments that surround it. Equally as impressive is the timeless elegance of the interior, with expansive chandeliers and imposing staircases. There is also perhaps no better place in the country to sample a luxury taste of Scotland under one roof: Kilt-clad whisky experts at the renowned Scotch whisky bar pour the rarest drams from a 500-strong collection, and modern Scottish fare can be enjoyed at the hotel’s fi ne dining destination, Number One. And then there is The Balmoral’s award-winning afternoon tea. Served under the glass dome of Palm Court, it is a showcase of the fi nest Scottish o ff erings like heather honey, exquisite smoked salmon and a very re fi ned take on haggis. For a lavish stay, the Scone and Crombie Suite is the hotel’s most regal. Adorned by touches that speak to the city’s royal connections and a color scheme of blues and greens inspired by Scotland’s wildernesses, the one-bedroom suite has the feel of a grand city center apartment with its vast living and dining quarters. A dedicated butler, private dining and in-suite gifts are just some of the ways that suite guests will be cared for by a team renowned for o ff ering the best in Scottish hospitality. Epicurean adventure Scotch has achieved global recognition among whisky a fi cionados as one of Scotland’s best whisky bars, and with good reason — a tasting here will be hard to beat. Helmed by four extraordinarily knowledgeable whisky ambassadors who travel to the remotest corners to source Scotland’s fi nest spirits, tastings can be personalized to suit every palate. Guests will be guided through a selection of whiskies, focusing on the history of the distilleries and how the unique fl avorscame into being within each dram of liquid gold.

The Scone and Crombie Suite from $5,200 per night. Contact reservations. balmoral@roccofortehotels.com, +44 1315 562 414, roccofortehotels.com