Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh first hotel in Scotland to win five-stars from Forbes Travel Guide

The Balmoral Hotel has been named as the first hotel in Scotland to receive a five-star award from the world-renowned Forbes Travel Guide, known as the Oscars of the hospitality industry.

The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh has been named as the first hotel in Scotland to receive a five-star award from the world renowned Forbes Travel Guide.

The Forbes Travel Guide has been the gold standard in the hospitality industry since 1958.

General Manager, Richard Cooke, said: “Receiving this amazing accolade is an honour for my team and I. Forbes Travel Guide is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after hospitality awards in the world and an independent measurement of success.

"Every day we strive to evolve and improve by working together to create memorable experiences for our guests. We have been working towards this goal since Forbes Travel Guide arrived in Scotland and to be the first hotel in the country to be awarded Five Stars is truly humbling.”

The Balmoral adds the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star award to an impressive list of accolades received in the past year.

“We extend huge congratulations to the entire team at The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel, for achieving the first ever Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating in Scotland,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, “The team demonstrated sheer excellence and dedication, delivered in a uniquely friendly manner. It’s no surprise that they achieved a perfect score in ‘Courtesy and manners’ and we’d also like to extend a nod to the housekeeping staff who are exceptional.”

Anonymous inspectors check into a hotel for at least two nights, then test up to 900 objective standards.