The iconic Balmoral Hotel has just unveiled a very special “Royal Experience” allowing guests to walk in the footsteps of royalty, discovering the Royal Family’s favorite hangouts (and many spots where the The Crown‘s critical plot twists take place).
For over a century, The Balmoral has found a home at Edinburgh’s most prestigious address, No. 1 Princes Street. A landmark in the centre of the city, the historic building’s grand clock still dominates the skyline, while its enviable location, views, hospitality and five-star facilities provide the perfect retreat. The Balmoral began life as a grand railway hotel and continues to respect the traditions set by its founders, right down to the kilted doormen.
This new exclusive suite offering encompasses private tours of the country’s most important royal sites, celebrating The Queen’s links to Scotland and her life long love of the country.
Scotland has long been a destination held dear by the British Royal Family, and travelers are now inspired more than ever to walk in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth II thanks to Netflix series The Crown, that has a second season debuting soon.
Balmoral Castle has been particularly important to the royal family since it was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852. During the war, the royals used the Aberdeenshire estate as an escape from London and between August and October every year, the Queen returns to her Scottish holiday home as a getaway from her public duties.
The Royal Experience
Available to guests booking a three-night stay or longer in the hotel’s Scone & Crombie Suite – billed by Architectural Digest as ‘Scotland’s most jaw-dropping’ suite – The Royal Experience unlocks the royal retreats that appear in the much loved series.
Trips include helicopter transfers to the Queen’s summer getaway – Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire – for a private driving tour as well as Holyrood Palace – the Queen’s Edinburgh residence – and her beloved Royal Yacht Britannia.
Balmoral Estate
Once referred to as ‘paradise in the Highlands’ by Queen Victoria, Balmoral Castle and the surrounding estate has been in the Royal Family since it was purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1852. On this exclusive excursion, guests will explore the grounds as part of a three-hour luxury Land Rover safari tour. Visitors can expect to see red squirrel, red deer and grouse and can take in views of Lochnagar, one of Scotland’s most famous mountains. Lunch at The Rothesay Rooms, supported by a charity chaired by HRH Prince Charles, The Duke of Rothesay, or a Champagne Afternoon Tea hamper provided by the hotel is also included along with helicopter transfers from Edinburgh to Balmoral by ExecAir.
Holyrood Palace
The Queen spends a week every year at Holyrood Palace, the monarch’s official Scottish residence. Offering an insider’s peak of her home in the capital, The Royal Experience offers guests the chance to enjoy an out-of-hours morning tour of the property, followed by a light breakfast. Led by an expert guide, visitors will step behind-the-rope into areas not accessible to the general public, including the West Drawing Room and Her Majesty’s private sitting room.
Royal Yacht Britannia
The Queen’s former floating royal residence, the Royal Yacht Britannia belonged to Her Majesty and the Royal Family for over 40 years, transporting them over 1,000,000 miles around the world. Now berthed in Edinburgh, guests can enjoy a private evening tour of the yacht. With a red carpet welcome and entry via the Royal Brow, an entrance formerly reserved for the Queen, this guided tour gives visitors insight into how the Royal Family and crew lived and worked on board and concludes with a champagne toast.
In addition to these excursions, The Royal Experience guests will receive roundtrip private airport transfers, transportation for any excursion, dinner at The Balmoral’s Michelin-starred restaurant, Number One, and a special gift from Hamilton & Inches, Scotland’s luxury jewellery house and bearer of the Royal Warrant.
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