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the balmoral hotel – eat the luxury

text and photo sabrina wendling

The Balmoral Hotel on Princes Street may be a very old lady, but still attractive at over a hundred years old. With its opulent Edwardian architecture and outstanding clock tower, you might think it was once a castle, but in fact it was built as a station hotel to serve Waverley Station just below it.

The Queen Mother frequently had lamb for lunch in the hotel restaurant; other famous guests have included Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor and Paul McCartney.

If you want to feel like a celebrity for a day, treat yourself to the award-winning afternoon tea. It’s served in Palm Court, a room bursting with the opulence of the British Empire – large glass dome, velvet settees and tall palms stretching up to the ceiling. Tea is served in a silver pot, and the food comes on a three-tier cake stand. A little snowman made of lemon cream here, an orange madeleine cookie there, and freshly baked scones everywhere. The savoury course includes smoked salmon on bread, chicken curry in puff pastry and cheese crackers. And then, even more cake. You’ll never manage it all! But never fear, you’ll also be given a small box for taking away. Expensive? Yes, but it’s an extraordinary dining experience in a unique setting.

Tip: You can order as much tea or coffee as you like along with your afternoon tea. If you don’t like the flavour you’ve chosen, just ask for another one.

1 Princes Street (next to Waverley Station), Edinburgh EH2 2EQ.

Afternoon tea costs £29 and is served between 12 and 5.30pm.

www.roccofortehotels.com