Balmoral Hotel

This Valentine’s day, Edinburgh’s award winning hotel, The Balmoral, is delighted to announce an exclusive partnership with one of the world’s greatest chocolatiers – Pierre Marcolini, www.marcolini.be, for the hotel’s exclusive “Chocolate Lovers Lottery”. The hotel has also teamed up with two luxury Edinburgh boutiques – Scottish chocolatiers extraordinaire - Plaisir du Chocolat, www.plaisirduchocolat.com, and the lingerie boutique – Boudiche, www.boudiche.com, for its most romantic Valentine’s experiences yet.
 
One lucky Valentine’s couple will win a romantic night for two at The Rocco Forte Collection’s, The Amigo situated in the heart of Brussels next to the magnificent Grand Place. The couple will visit the Pierre Marcolini flagship boutique or “maison du chocolat”, at the Place du Grand Sablon, where they will be treated to a sumptuous personal chocolate tasting and champagne experience. On 14 February, after a glass of champagne, and five course gourmet menu in The Balmoral’s Michelin-starred number one restaurant, guests will be presented with a Pierre Marcolini Coeur Framboise (Raspberry Heart). All but one of the gift boxes will contain this luscious chocolate, with one lucky guest opening the winning box.  Number one’s Valentine’s menu is £75.00 per person.

At Hadrian’s Brasserie this Valentine’s, Edinburgh’s specialist chocolate boutique Plaisir du Chocolat has created an exclusive selection of bespoke chocolates especially for The Balmoral’s “Chocolate Lovers Lottery”. For a stylish and relaxed Valentine’s, Executive Chef, Jeff Bland has created a divine four course Valentine’s menu, £40.00 per person. Book a table for two in Hadrian’s Brasserie and one pair of lucky lovers will enjoy a bottle of champagne and a box of Plaisir du Chocolat’s “Voyage Exotique”, a selection of 25 of their best flavours representing several different countries around the world, in The Balmoral Bar.

Created in 1995 by its namesake, the Pierre Marcolini brand is a young and innovative company whose chocolates are considered to be the “haute couture” of Belgian chocolate. Synonymous with quality and perfection, Pierre Marcolini himself travels the world annually sourcing the best single origin cocoa beans for his creations, before roasting and blending them for the perfect chocolate, which he then exports to the gastronomic capitals of the world. Edinburgh-based Plaisir du Chocolat re-launched their renowned brand in December 2007 with a brand new boutique in Thistle Street. They are one of the only chocolatiers in the UK to produce chocolates using completely fresh ingredients. Free from any preservatives, their gourmet chocolates are truly natural and are unique in both their design and flavour.

Other romantic treats include:

• Overnight Indulgence: It’s luxury and decadence all the way with The Balmoral’s “Simply Valentine's” Experience. Check into The Balmoral for an unforgettable Valentine’s treat and enjoy luxury accommodation, a rose petal turndown, use of The Balmoral Spa, delicious full Scottish breakfast and the option to have your selected gift of gorgeous “Boudiche” lingerie delivered direct to your hotel room for your arrival. Prices start from £220.00 based on two people sharing a classic room.
• The Balmoral Spa: Spend the day relaxing with your loved one in The Balmoral Spa with the “Valentine’s Passion Package”. Indulge your senses with an Ytsara Ponklai Body Oil Ceremony using a limited edition passionate Ylang Ylang massage oil, spend some time in our candle lit relaxation suite or by the
  crystal clear pool, rejuvenate with one of our heat experiences and then enjoy lunch in Hadrian’s Brasserie. And then keep the passion burning at home with your complimentary gift box consisting of a limited edition ylang ylang massage oil and bath salts. The Valentine’s Passion Package is £115.00 per person.
• The Balmoral Bar: Nothing says "I love you" like red roses; so to celebrate Valentine’s with someone special start the evening by treating them to The Balmoral Bar’s Wild Rose Martini, made with house infused wild rose and strawberry vodka. Wild Rose Martini, £11.50.
• The Bollinger Bar at Palm Court: Enjoy a Champagne Afternoon Tea in luxurious refinement – the perfect way to spend a Valentine’s afternoon. Champagne Afternoon Tea - £33.50 per person.
• Rocco Forte Collection Gifts: A fun and sophisticated range of gifts for Valentine’s Day, including food and drink, spa and monetary gift experiences.  
  

-Ends-

Essential Booking Details and Information:

• Valentine’s accommodation: please call 0870 460 7040 and quote PKGVALENTI. 
• number one: pre-booking is essential. Please call 0131 557 6727.
• Hadrian’s: pre-booking is essential. Please call 0131 557 5000.
• Afternoon Tea: served in The Bollinger Bar from 2.30pm until 5.30pm and until 6.00pm in The Drawing Room.  Pre-booking is essential. Please call 0131 556 2414.
• The Balmoral Spa: pre-booking is essential. Please call 0131 622 8880
• Rocco Forte Gifts can be purchased online: www.rfbalmoral.rfcadmin.net/central/gifts.asp
• Refer to www.roccofortecollection.com for general information on The Balmoral.
• Pierre Marcolini - www.marcolini.be/EN
• Plaisir du Chocolat – www.plaisirduchocolat.com
• Boudiche – www.boudiche.com

For more information:
Jessica Trotter
PR and Marketing Executive
Direct line: 0131 622 8825    
Email: jtrotter@roccofortecollection.com  

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The Rocco Forte Collection was established in 1996 to create a group of luxury hotels in Europe. The hotels have individual styles, with each hotel reflecting its nationality and location. The properties are linked together under The Rocco Forte Collection, which guarantees attention to detail, quality and service delivery.

The Rocco Forte Collection includes:
- Hotel de Russie, Rome
- Hotel Savoy, Florence
- The Balmoral, Edinburgh
- The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
- Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg
- Hotel Amigo, Brussels
- Brown’s Hotel, London
- Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt
- Hotel de Rome, Berlin
- Le Richemond, Geneva
- The Charles Hotel, Munich

Future openings: 
The Augustine, Prague - 2008
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily – 2009
Marrakech - 2009

For further information and online reservations, please visit The Rocco Forte Collection website: www.roccofortecollection.com.

Angleterre Hotel, St Petersburg, is a deluxe four-star sister to Hotel Astoria.  For information and reservations, please visit www.angleterrehotel.com.