The imposing Balmoral Hotel, whose name in Gaelic means “majestic dwelling,” was re-opened after a major refurbishment on 12th June 1991 by Edinburgh-born actor Sean Connery. Photography Courtesy of The Balmoral Hotel.
The Balmoral Hotel
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
balmoraledinburgh.com
+44-131-556-2414
The Champagne Afternoon Tea in The Balmoral’s Palm Court includes a glass of pink sparkling Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve.
This grand hotel sits proudly at the very heart of Edinburgh, where a steady flow of traffic and pedestrians moves constantly up and down Princes Street, the most important and best-known thoroughfare in the city. Opened in October 1902 as The North British Station Hotel, the 10-storey Victorian building, which has more than a hint of baronial hall about it, sits adjacent to Waverly Railway Station, named after Sir Walter Scott’s romantic tale of love, war, and divided loyalties. Six storeys of The Balmoral rise proudly above Princes Street, surmounted by an imposing clock tower, while another four floors lie beneath, connected to the station. In the days when the hotel was owned by the railway company, hotel porters in distinctive bright red jackets would meet passengers off the train and take them and their luggage up into the hotel’s arrival lobby via a special lift.
Ross Sneddon is The Balmoral’s multi-award-winning executive pastry chef and chocolatier.The centrepiece of The Balmoral’s serene Palm Court features three trees that are decked with imaginative lighting and ornamentation to mark the changing seasons.
The change of name to The Balmoral took place in 1991 after a major refurbishment, and the hotel is as majestic today as it was in the Edwardian era, when afternoon tea was enjoying its heyday. A short flight of steps leads visitors from the main Arrival Hall up into the gorgeous circular Palm Court. In this wonderfully peaceful space of classic proportions, elegant pillars, palm trees, walls hand-painted with vignettes in muted celadon green of old Edinburgh follies and pastoral scenes, the gentle diffused light from the domed glass ceiling, and the twinkling of the central Venetian chandelier, all combine to create the perfect Tea Lounge ambience. Palm Court Manager Omar Ismail presides and helps guests choose from the menu’s astonishing 88 teas, each of which has a little story and is served with a special little ceremony. And as well as creating unusual blends for different occasions, Omar also imaginatively includes teas in cocktails and thinks constantly of ways to take tea beyond the afternoon-tea menu. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Ross Sneddon, The Balmoral’s award-winning executive pastry chef, magics amazingly beautiful cakes and pastries that always delight guests, who can’t quite believe that what is delivered on their cake stand is actually edible as well as incredibly clever and beautiful. For children and those who must avoid nuts, gluten, or dairy or are diabetic, vegetarian, or vegan, everything on the special menu is as wonderfully attractive, thoughtfully designed, and delicious as all the more traditional treats. With its stunning setting, an exceptionally talented and thoughtful creative team, The Balmoral Hotel is making very special memories for each and every guest who treasures the traditional charm of afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea for two is served in the calm elegance of The Balmoral’s Palm Court.
