A STUNNING Scottish hotel has received a five-star rating in a prestigious global travel guide for the fifth year running.
The luxurious Balmoral in Edinburgh is the only hotel in the country to receive the highly-acclaimed award in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guides Star Awards.
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It was the first in the country to receive the rating from the highly rated Forbes back in 2021 and has retained that crown every year since.
The Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire was also honoured – the only Scottish resort to pick up five stars.
Both were given the same world-renowned accolade last year.
Forbes inspectors described The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte hotel, as ‘one of Edinburgh’s most instantly recognizable landmarks’.
The guide added: “The Victorian-era baronial-style property remains one of the Scottish capital’s most luxurious stays.
“The agelessly elegant, castle-like exterior of turrets, bows and balconies draws the eye from all directions, yet this grand façade gives way to an even more impressive interior.
“Classic yet contemporary, it’s an environment where soaring ceilings, sweeping staircases and shimmering chandeliers meet floral-print furnishings, soft pastel shades and stunning landscape photographs.
“All are arranged around the central dome-topped Palm Court — Scotland’s afternoon tea mecca. Kilted doormen and tartan-trousered reception staff provides a hearty Scottish welcome.
“This luxe Rocco Forte hotel is the ideal base from which to explore the city.”
Each of the hotels 167 rooms and 20 suites is individually styled by British interior designer Olga Polizzi – company founder Rocco Forte’s sister – and are well known for their random prints of Sean Connery as James Bond.
The most in-demand accommodation is the J.K. Rowling Suite where the Harry Potter author finished the series’ final book. It features a brass owl door knocker and a statue of Hermes signed by the JK.
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A golfing classic on Scotland’s west coast is how Forbes described Trump Turnberry.
The inspectors added: “Trump Turnberry offers Edwardian opulence on 800 rolling acres where legendary King Robert the Bruce once had his castle.
“An exceptional staff, including porters in tartan kilts, blends lavish pampering with traditional Scottish hospitality. Perfect for a weekend getaway or a stately retreat, this is a world-class golf destination.”
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The gongs are the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises.
Forbes inspectors, who are anonymous when they check in for two night stays, look out for luxury. But, as well as how a place looks, they also consider how a visit makes you feel.
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Five star locations must have an outstanding experience and consistently offer a highly customised level of service.
The Forbes Travel Guide has independently inspected luxury hotels since 1958 and is known as the gold-standard in rating the world’s finest properties.
