Awards

2008

  • February 2008 -  Eight employees are awarded a prestigious training scholarship by the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland (HIT)
  • February 2008 - The Balmoral is voted Luxury Hotel of The Year at The Scottish Hotel Awards
  • February 2008 - The Balmoral Bar is voted Bar of The Year at The Scottish Hotel Awards
  • February 2008 - The Balmoral Bar is the winner of a Design Excellence Medal at The Scottish Hotel Awards
  • February 2008 - The Balmoral wins Concierge Team of The Year at The Scottish Hotel Awards
  • February 2008 - Resident Manager, Harry Fernandez wins a Gold Medal for Management Excellence at The Scottish Hotel of The Year Award
  • February 2008 - The Balmoral Spa voted Scotland's top Day Spa (UK category) in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Spa Awards 2007
  • January 2008 –  number one restaurant awarded “Fine Dining Experience” Award at the Scottish Restaurant Awards
  • January 2008 – The Balmoral won  “Best Employer Award  - Hospitality and Leisure” at The Springboard Awards for Excellence
  • January 2008 – The Balmoral Awarded a “Golden Service Crown 2008” by the EBC, Germany, for excellent service
  • January 2008 – The Balmoral Spa voted one of the top five urban spas in the world by The Sunday Times Travel Magazine
  • January 2008 - A place on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List (US edition) within "The best hotels in the world for location"
  • January 2008 -  Justine Sanderson, Revenue Manager wins a Shining Example Award at the annual Rocco Forte Collection Conference

2007

  • December 2007- Guest Service Agent, Katie McDowell awarded second place at the AICR Receptionist of The Year Awards
  • November 2007 – Tracy Clark, Wedding Planner, The Balmoral, voted “Venue Co-ordinater” of The Year at the 2007 VOWS (Voted Outstanding Wedding Supplier)
  • October 2007 - The Balmoral took the prize for Scotland's Leading Hotel at the 14th Annual World Travel Awards
  • October 2007 – The Balmoral named “Scotland’s Best Hotel” at The AA Hospitality Awards
  • July 2007 – Debbie Taylor, General Manager of Rocco Forte's The Balmoral awarded Manager of The Year at The Caterer and Hotelkeeper Awards
  • June 2007 – The Balmoral voted “Best Hotel in Scotland” at the HotelClub Hotel Awards
  • June 2007 - Debbie Taylor, General Manager of Rocco Forte's The Balmoral awarded membership of the prestigious Master Innholders by The Worshipful Company of Innholders
  • May 2007 -The Balmoral was voted seventh best hotel in Europe and top hotel in Scotland in "Celebrated Living" - American Airlines passenger magazine's Readers' Choice Platinum List.
  • February 2007 - Sam Aitken, number one's Sommelier, awarded the Vintner's Bursary at the WSET (Wine, Spirits and Education Trust) Awards of Excellence, which is the top prize at the Advanced Level
  • February 2007 - Eight employees are awarded a prestigious training scholarship by the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland (HIT)
  • February 2007 - The Balmoral picks up six awards and commendations at The Scottish Hotels of the Year Awards 2007 in the following categories: The Scottish Hotel Banqueting Award; The Scottish Hotel Concierge Team Award; Scottish Luxury Hotel Special Commendation; The Scottish Hotel Restaurant Special Commendation (number one); The Scottish Hotel Executive Chef Special Commendation; and The National Scottish Hotel of the Year (Runner-up)
  • February 2007 - The Balmoral Spa voted Scotland's top Urban Day Spa (UK category) in the Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Spa Awards 2007
  • January 2007 - Jeff Bland and number one retain their Michelin star
  • January 2007 - James O'Donnell and Kevin Sutherland awarded first prize in the International Copa Jerez

2006
  • December 2006 - The Balmoral is the only Edinburgh hotel to make the ForbesTraveler 400 list - a compendium of the world's best hotels and resorts, selected by a panel of more than 80 travel experts
  • November 2006 - The Balmoral is the only Scottish hotel to appear in the Top 25 British Hotels in Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards (USA)
  • October 2006 - The Balmoral receives two Scottish Thistle Awards in the People Development and Marketing Initiative categories
  • October 2006 - The Balmoral is a Finalist in the Innovation Category - Scottish Thistle Awards 2006
  • October 2006 - The Balmoral is a Finalist in the Hotel of the Year Category at the SLTN Annual Awards
  • October 2006 - The Balmoral achieves a third AA Rosette - one of the AA's most prestigious accolades - for its number one restaurant
  • October 2006 - The Balmoral took the prize for Scotland's Leading Hotel at the 13th Annual World Travel Awards
  • September 2006 - Finalist, The GNER Customer Focus Award, The National Business Awards for Scotland 2006
  • September 2006 - Craig Sandle wins best starter at the Knorr National Chef of The Year at the Restaurant Show
  • September 2006 - The Balmoral is selected as a Robb Report Luxury Hotel, within The World's Ultimate City Escapes (Europe)
  • August 2006 - CNBC European Business magazine names The Balmoral as the number one business hotel in Scotland
  • August 2006 - The Balmoral is selected by Fodor'sChoice 2006 as a top establishment with distinction
  • July 2006 - The Balmoral is voted best hotel in Scotland and eighth best hotel in Europe in Celebrated Living - American Airlines passenger magazine's Readers' Choice Platinum List
  • May 2006 - Gary Quinn, Manager of number one is awarded CIS Restaurant Manager of the Year
  • May 2006 - The Balmoral wins two gongs at The Best Practice Forum's Business Excellence Awards, including overall winner of the HOTELS category and top of its company category
  • April 2006 - Winner of the Scottish Hotel Innovation Award for its "Five-star Kids" programme, by HotelReviewScotland.com
  • April 2006 - The Balmoral is named best wedding hotel and top third wedding location in the world in The Independent's Guide to the 50 Best Wedding Locations
  • March 2006 - Kevin Sutherland wins the inaugural Scottish Food Scholarship Final
  • March 2006 - Finalist, Edinburgh Evening News Business Excellence Awards within two categories: Best Performing Business (over 250 employees) and Excellence in Skills and Learning
  • February 2006 - Craig Sandle and James O' Donnell awarded gold medal in the Copa Jerez Sherry Sous Chef of The Year and Wine Waiter of the Year 2006
  • February 2006 - Sales Executive, Kim Falconer awarded HIT Scotland Scholarship
  • January 2006 - The Balmoral Spa features in the top five best spas in the world by The Observer
  • January 2006 - Craig Sandle wins award for 'Innovation' at the Annual Rocco Forte Conference
  • January 2006 - Jeff Bland and number one retain their Michelin star
  • January 2006 - A place on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List (US edition) within "The best hotels in the world for rooms"

2005
  • December 2005 - The Balmoral features in the "Top 25 Hotels for Business Travellers" in City to Cities, the magazine distributed at London City Airport
  • December 2005 - The Balmoral is voted one of the top three European hotels by readers of enRoute, Air Canada's in-flight magazine
  • December 2005 - Jeff Bland and number one receive a GourmetPlate accolade by HotelReviewScotland.com, which is awarded to hotels with named chefs in which the Guide has the highest degree of trust
  • November 2005 - The Balmoral took the prize for Scotland's Leading Hotel at the 12th Annual World Travel Awards
  • October 2005 - number one receives a Scottish Thistle Award within the Flavour of Scotland category
  • October 2005 - Finalist within the Skills for Success category in the 2005 Scottish Thistle Awards
  • October 2005 - Debbie Taylor, General Manager at The Balmoral awarded RAC Hotelier of the Year
  • October 2005 - The Balmoral achieves 4 RAC Dining Awards
  • October 2005 - The Balmoral retains its RAC Blue Ribbon Award, which acknowledges a level of true excellence and first class standards
  • October 2005 - Kevin Sutherland, Senior Chef de Partie, number one restaurant, is runner-up in the UK Young Chef Young Waiter 2005 competition
  • September 2005 - Voted third-best hotel in the UK in The Guardian Travel Awards
  • September 2005 - A place in the Top 10 Business Hotels, as voted by Condé Nast Traveller Readers, UK
  • September 2005 - Voted best business hotel in Scotland, and 7th top business hotel in Europe, in a poll of The Top 20 Business Hotels by European Business Magazine
  • September 2005 - Finalist in The VisitScotland Tourism Business of the Year Award
  • August 2005 - Excellence in Human Resources, awarded by The HCPTA Awards for Excellence 2005
  • May 2005 - Winner, Scottish Licensed Trade News Training Award 2005
  • May 2005 - Highly commended, Scottish Licensed Training News Restaurant of the Year 2005 for number one
  • April 2005 - Acorn Award 2005 awarded to Craig Sandle, number one restaurant chef
  • April2005- The Scottish Hotel Marketing Award 2005 by HotelReviewScotland.com
  • April 2005 - Edinburgh's Hotel of the Year 2005 by HotelReviewScotland.com
  • March 2005 - A place on the 2004's 100 Sexiest Hotels in the World, as presented by Sky Radio Network, Sexiest Inc. and Travel à la Mode in USA
  • January 2005 - The Balmoral Spa voted "Best UK Urban Day Spa" in the Condé Nast Traveller UK 2005 Readers' spa awards
  • January 2005 - Jeff Bland and number one retain their Michelin star
  • January 2005 - A place on Condé Nast Traveller's Gold List within "The best hotels in the world for rooms"

2004
  • October 2004 - Winner, "Customer Care - Hotel of the Year", 2004 Scottish Thistle Awards. The Balmoral was applauded for the exceptional service and hospitality skills, displayed by its staff
  • October 2004 - Finalist, "Flavour of Scotland", 2004 Scottish Thistle Awards
  • October 2004 - Runner-up in UK final of "Prix Pierre Taittinger" Culinary Prize, awarded to Craig Sandle, Sous Chef, number one
  • September 2004 - RAC Blue Ribbon Award, marking a consistent commitment to all-round excellence
  • September 2004 - Runner-up "Best UK Business Hotel" by readers of Condé Nast Traveller, UK edition. The Balmoral was highlighted as best for ambience / décor and standard / comfort of accommodation
  • August 2004 - "The Great Hotel Restaurant of the Year" by Hotels Magazine, USA
  • June 2004 - 'Third Best Hotel in Europe' by readers of Celebrated Living, the luxury magazine for American Airlines' Premium Class passengers
  • April 2004 - 'Fourth Best Hotel in Europe' by readers of Departures magazine, USA
  • April 2004 - 'The Scottish Hotel Restaurant of the Year' by HotelReviewScotland.com
  • April 2004 - 'Icons of Scotland' award within the Scottish Food and Drink category
  • February 2004 - A place on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List, an annual guide to the top 700 hotels, resorts and cruise lines in the world
  • January 2004 - The Rocco Forte Collection' 'Award for Innovation' awarded to Jeff Bland
  • January 2004 - 'James Sankey Award for Excellence', recognising quality of service, awarded to James O'Donnell in number one
  • January 2004 - Jeff Bland and number one retain their Michelin star

2003
  • December 2003 - 'Outstanding' category for number one in Pete Irvine's 2004 edition of Scotland The Best
  • November 2003 - Runner-up as 'Best UK City Hotel for a Weekend Break' by readers of The Sunday Times
  • November 2003 - RAC Blue Ribbon Award noting 'superior standards in comfort, service, hospitality and food'
  • October 2003 - The Rocco Forte Collection awarded the 'World's Leading Hotel Internet Site' award at the 10th Annual World Travel Awards 2003
  • October 2003 - Runner-up in UK final of 'Prix Pierre Taittinger' Culinary Prize, awarded to Craig Sandle, Sous Chef in number one
  • September 2003 - Five HotelReview rosettes for cuisine in number one restaurant, highlighting 'Best Cuisine in Scotland', awarded by HotelReviewScotland.com
  • September 2003 - 'Dom Pérignon Award for Excellence' awarded to David Austin, Wine & Spirits Manager at the annual Academy of Food and Wine Service Awards
  • August 2003 - 'Top Scottish Business Hotel' in Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Travel Awards 2003
  • May 2003 - 'Drambuie Scottish Chef of the Year' awarded to Jeff Bland, Executive Chef at The Balmoral
  • March 2003 - Runner-up in the regional rounds (Scotland and North England) of the 'Sommelier of the Year' competition, awarded to Sam Aitken, Assistant Manager of number one
  • January 2003 - Michelin star for Executive Chef Jeff Bland for number one restaurant, the first Rocco Forte hotel to achieve a Michelin star