Situated at the prestigious address of No 1 Prince's Street, The Balmoral Hotel is one of the Scottish capital's most iconic and imposing buildings. Kilted men welcome you at the door and as you enter you're immediately enveloped by the sweet scent of the breathtaking flower arrangements that dominate the lobby.
Over the past few years, the landmark hotel has undergone a stunning multi-million pound refurbishment and the jewel in their renovation crown is the purple-doored JK Rowling suite. The stylish rooms facing the castle have also been renovated to portray a Scottish woodland theme, but it's the Harry Potter author-themed luxury room that's the true star of the show.
JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was first published twenty ago. The seemingly modest yarn, whose protagonist is a schoolboy magician, went on to spawn a hugely lucrative series of follow-up novels, as well as films, stage shows and theme parks. Now it has spawned tailored luxury stays at one of Edinburgh's best hotels.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Balmoral's link to the billionaire Hogwarts creator is an intriguing one – the hotel is where Rowling finished the last book in the series. In search of peace and quiet while writing Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Rowling checked in to the hotel.
Recognising the near-fanatical devotion of legions of Potterheads both at home and abroad, the suite is designed as a sort of shrine to the Scottish author. Bookcases are crammed with Rowling's books, alongside the works of some of her favourite authors. The suite is decorated with owls and is the perfect place for a game of 'spot and attribute the Patronus' (if you don't know what this means, the suite may not be for you).
The hotel has also embraced its Potterlinks in the bar downstairs where it serves magical cocktails that include a Bloody Mary Jelly with Celery Air and Smoked Butter Beer (which I can confirm is delicious). Guests in the suite can also tour the streets of Edinburgh on a PotterTrail, which is a must for any serious Hogwarts fan. You'll discover how Rowling was influenced by Edinburgh's history and can visit some of the cafes where she did most of her writing.
If you're not a Harry Potter fan don't despair; there are plenty of things you will love at The Balmoral. In the whisky bar 'Scotch' you're surrounded by wall-to-wall bottles of Scotland's greatest export. Bartenders who describe themselves as 'walking menus' offer advice on what you might like to try. The dinner menu is also excellent – the hotel says that people travel for miles to buy sides of the Balmoral's very own smoked salmon and it's easy to see why. I was more excited by the smoked salmon trolley than I have ever been by a trolley laden with desserts.
Whether it's your first or 51st time visiting Edinburgh, the views, quality of service and food and drink at The Balmoral will delight muggles, witches and wizards alike.
The Magical Experience suite package at Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel is available from £2,500. The newly-renovated super deluxe rooms that face the castle start at £450 per night for room only
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
-
Black Atlantic: Power, People, Resistance reviewThe Week Recommends Fitzwilliam Museum exhibition features lives affected by the Atlantic slave trade
-
Private Lives review: a 'witty' revival of Noël Coward's classic comedy
The Week Recommends Patricia Hodge and Nigel Havers play the warring exes in this 'delicious retro treat'
-
Wilderness review: a soapy drama set in the American southwest
The Week Recommends Amazon series starring Jenna Coleman and Oliver Jackson-Cohen is 'full of twists'
-
Volkswagen ID.5 review: what the car critics say
Feature The ID.4's 'sportier, more stylish twin' – but 'don't believe the hype'
-
Jamaica Inn review: a small patch of Caribbean heaven
The Week Recommends Guests will feel like one of the family at this boutique beach resort in Ocho Rios
-
Scottish Women Artists review
The Week Recommends Exhibition uncovers the work of female artists long hidden in 'historical obscurity'
-
Dracula: Mina's Reckoning review
The Week Recommends A groundbreaking and distinctively Scottish retelling of Bram Stoker's classic novel
-
Top Boy review: a fitting finale to the gangland drama
The Week Recommends This brilliant show is bowing out at exactly the right time – at the top
