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Balmoral Hotel

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Balmoral Hotel, Railway hotel at Princes Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Description

The Balmoral Hotel is a railway hotel on Princes Street in Edinburgh, Scotland, marked by its 190-foot clock tower at the eastern end of the street. The sandstone structure combines Victorian elements with Scottish baronial architecture, forming a prominent landmark in the city skyline.

History

The establishment opened in 1902 as the North British Railway Hotel, offering a direct elevator connection from Waverley Station to the reception. The link allowed travelers to reach the building without passing through the street.

Culture

J.K. Rowling completed the final Harry Potter novel in room 552, leaving a signed message on a marble bust in the room. The suite later became a literary pilgrimage site for fans who want to see where the series reached its conclusion.

Practical

The establishment offers five dining spaces, including the Michelin-starred Number One restaurant and the Palm Court tearoom. Guests also have access to a spa with a swimming pool located inside the building.

Did you know?

The clock tower deliberately runs three minutes ahead throughout the year to help railway passengers catch their trains. The timepiece is set to the correct time only during New Year celebrations.

Location
Inception
1902
Address
1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Phone
GPS coordinates
55.95270,-3.18961
Latest update
December 17, 2025 09:45

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (City of Edinburgh).

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« Balmoral Hotel - Railway hotel at Princes Street, Edinburgh, United Kingdom » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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