The Balmoral in Edinburgh reveals new suite

730 565 Hamish Kilburn
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The Balmoral in Edinburgh reveals new suite

The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte hotel in Edinburgh, has revealed a new look for one of its signature suites, The Glamis…

One of Edinburgh’s most iconic hotels, The Balmoral, has unveiled the new design of one of its signiture suites, The Glamis. Designed by Olga Polizzi, Rocco Forte Hotels’ Director of Building & Design, the royal suite is set to become one of the city’s most impressive spaces thanks to an extensive refurbishment and the introduction of exclusive partnerships designed to elevate the guest experience.

The ultimate base for couples and families or an urban retreat for royalty, heads of state and VIPs, The Balmoral is now home to the finest suites in the city, setting the luxury standard of accommodation for Scotland. Named after one of the country’s most beautiful and historical royal abodes, Glamis Castle, childhood home of HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the newly launched Glamis Suite is full of period charm and regal references, its ambience and offerings giving a hint of its namesake’s legacy of style, intrigue, rebels and revolution.

Stretching over 100 square metres, with a prime position overlooking the entrance to the hotel on Princes Street, the new suite can be booked with one, two or three bedrooms, making it perfect for couples, families and VIPs.

“Authenticity is at the heart of Rocco Forte Hotels and here original features are celebrated with book cases.”

A new entrance to the Glamis Suite offers discrete, private check-ins. Entering the generous space, patinated bronze screens open onto a Scottish baronial table set for four in the dining room. In the sitting room – with its working fireplace and antique chandelier – a lush colour palette of emerald and amethyst sets the tone for a scheme in which rich fabrics meet antiques selected personally by Polizzi from her travels throughout Europe.  Authenticity is at the heart of Rocco Forte Hotels and here original features are celebrated with book cases – set within the original Edinburgh presses – and art featuring Scottish botanicals. The showpiece Shinola record player and vinyl collection is a nod to the Rock ‘n Roll greats who have frequented the hotel. Available for guests to enjoy, the record menu offers an ever-growing collection tailored to guests’ music tastes.

Taking centre stage in the Master Bedroom is a full-height half-tester bed with a tapestried canopy adding to the romance of a by-gone era. Lewis & Wood Bosky wallpaper by artist Alexander Hamilton adds a fairy-tale quality to the scene whilst two stone lions referencing The Royal Banner of the Royal Arms of Scotland stand guard. A spacious Arabascato marble-clad bathroom, with its oversized freestanding bath sitting underneath a lustrous vintage Czechoslovakian glass chandelier, completes the suite.

Providing a unique suite experience is at the heart of Rocco Forte Hotels’ ongoing dedication to its guests. As part of this, Glamis Suite guests will be offered exclusive turndowns from luxury cashmere brand Johnstons of Elgin and fragrance house, Kingdom Scotland, both aimed at bringing the essence of Scotland to the suite.

Hamish Kilburn / 21.05.2019

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