"Edinburgh's original grande dame hotel While there are other hotels synonymous with a city, few can claim to be such an integral part of its hometown’s landscape as the Balmoral in Edinburgh—or to be as well-loved by locals. Thanks to its imposing 190-foot clock tower it is an unmistakeable part of the Scottish capital’s skyline, perhaps the most unmistakable in the UK—with the possible exception of London. If you're after a full-on, north-of-the-border experience without having to tramp through scratchy gorges or be devoured by midges, then head to The Balmoral. The neo-Renaissance building is Edinburgh's most famous hotel, opening as the North British Railway Hotel in 1902. It recently had a multi-million-dollar makeover: Rocco Forte Hotels' Olga Polizzi aims to whisk guests off on a virtual grand tour of the country with a color palette taking in the golden lichens and fern greens of the lowlands, the moorland's heathery purples, and the stony grays and sultry blues of the Highlands and islands. The food at Brasserie Prince has also had an update, where French techniques are used to cook Scottish ingredients, with rich Normandy onion soup and steak tartare on the menu. The interiors, meanwhile, have been spruced up by Martin Brudnidzki, whose designs at member’s club Annabel’s are among the most photographed in London. As everyone here will tell you, the great clock of the Balmoral has always been set three minutes fast to help the good people of Edinburgh catch their trains. (Except on Hogmanay—unsurprising when you think what a big deal New Year is to the city.) Now, it will help you get to lunch on time, too. Address: 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ Price: From around $671 per night"
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