When you enter the hotel lift and realise that you’re standing next to one of the country’s wealthiest individuals you know that you must be somewhere special.

Situated in the most convenient spot in Scotland’s capital and only 20 minutes drive from the Airport, is the majestic five-star Balmoral Hotel. Built in 1902 next to Edinburgh’s Waverley Railway station this was once the North British Station Hotel and its huge clock tower identifies it as one of Edinburgh’s great landmarks.

Interestingly the clock has always run two and a half minutes fast to aid those rushing for the nearby trains and is only corrected for Hogmanay when thousands of revellers pack themselves into Princes Street for the celebrations. With views of Edinburgh Castle (where the fireworks are set off) and Princes Street itself, the Hogmanay Ball in the huge Balmoral Ballroom must be one of the world’s top venues for seeing in the New Year.

Doormen in full Highland dress welcome you in to the wonderfully ornate lobby and the roaring open fire sets the Scottish scene perfectly. There’s a buzz about the place which is always a welcome sign and, with 188 rooms including 20 suites, this is no small hotel.

Now a Rocco Forte Hotel, designer Olga Polizzi has ensured that the hotel looks contemporary whilst retaining much of its Scottish heritage. The original Scottish art and sculptures around the hotel match this theme, providing an interesting mix of modern and traditional. The hotel’s interior colour themes are influenced by the Scottish landscape which makes for an unusual but beautiful blend, a touch that certainly sets it apart from the bland muted tones of The Balmoral’s contemporaries.

We stayed in the impressive Dee Suite situated on a corner of the hotel. Its intriguing turret areas allowing magnificent views of Auld Reekie – views that ensured the two huge LCD TVs remained in standby mode. To one side sits the rugged Arthur’s Seat and to the other a panorama of the City set off by the inspiring Edinburgh Castle, which day or night never fails to look spectacular.

In anticipation of the dinner in The Balmoral’s ‘number one’ restaurant, we took our reserved table in Scotland’s only Bollinger Champagne Bar. The opulent Art Deco room complete with illuminated sparkling glass domed ceiling and Venetian chandelier is the perfect setting for sipping champagne and nibbling canapés.