Explore London and Edinburgh with Rocco Forte Hotels
Few cities in the world have more stories to tell than London. With a history stretching back to Roman times, London boasts countless world-famous landmarks, and even more less well-known treasures: take the time to seek out the remains of a Roman amphitheatre rediscovered in 1988, for example, or the Palace of Placentia, where Sir Walter Raleigh is said to have laid his cloak over a puddle so that Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t get her feet wet. Ideally, just wander the city’s streets and feel the history oozing from its pores.
As London’s first hotel, opened in Mayfair in 1837, Brown’s Hotel has many stories of its own. Over the years it has hosted a roll call of famous names, including Theodore Roosevelt, Napoleon III and Empress Eugene, and Joseph Conrad. It’s worth arranging a private tour of the hotel to fully appreciate its rich history, or take a walking Royal Warrant Tour and find out where the royal family shops.
With a medieval Old Town and an Elegant Georgian New Town, Edinburgh also has more than its fair share of historic landmarks. Dominating the skyline of the Scottish capital is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s Crown Jewels. The famous Royal Mile links the castle with Holyrood Palace, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.
But perhaps Edinburgh’s most famous thoroughfare is Princes Street, famous since Victorian times for its shops and hotels. And located at 1 Princes Street is The Balmoral, a legendary hotel with a landmark clock tower. A galaxy of stars from every field have visited over the decades, including Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, and Paul and Linda McCartney. Allow our concierge to arrange a private history walking tour of the Old Town or find out if your ancestors played a part in Scottish history with a private genealogy session.
Reap rewards with Rocco Forte Friends
Sign up to Rocco Forte Friends and benefit from lazy day late check-outs, exclusive discounts on all dining experiences and spa treatments, as well as a number of surprise perks to be revealed throughout your visit.
To book a stay at Brown’s Hotel in the heart of London’s Mayfair, email reservations.browns@roccofortehotels.com or call +44 20 7493 6020.
To book your next visit at Edinburgh’s most prestigious address, The Balmoral, email reservations.balmoral@roccofortehotels.com or call +44 131 556 2414.
Paris is always a good idea. Except, perhaps, when it’s hosting the Olympic Summer Games, and the usual tourist throng looks set to multiply almost prohibitively. Of course, the Games are exciting, but if wading through crowds feels like a marathon effort, try a cultural relay around one of these stunning European cities instead.
As the gentle glow of each ornate chandelier begins to dim, a hush descends upon the audience before an all-consuming world of tragedy and triumph unfolds. Both exhilarating and deeply moving, a night at the opera has the distinct power to evoke emotion, while offering a unique insight into a perhaps unfamiliar city.
Journey through Europe’s symphony of unmissable opera houses, each steeped in history and grandeur.
They say the lobby is the beating heart of any hotel; where first impressions linger, inspiring journeys begin and end, and friends and lovers reunite. Upon entering Hotel de Rome, an immediate sense of calm is restored, as light pours in from the glass atrium and plants and palms breathe new life into the space. Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, shares her inspiration behind the hotel lobby’s new look.
