The Balmoral, Edinburgh, Scotland, decided at the end of 2016 to upgrade its lobby flowers. Now, every Thursday at 5 a.m. the mother-and-daughter team of Rachel Marshall and Gemma Bain, along with some Planet Flowers colleagues, arrive to produce yet another display, many of which are themed.
For example, this recent floral-art compilation features a very Scottish stag, formed of living moss atop a wire frame. Such displays are quickly posted by the hotel on to its most interactive platform, Instagram’s @thebalmoral, and likes number up to 750 (Facebook and Twitter are also used).
Guests take their own images to post, creating an effect that certainly justifies the average 25% additional cost of the switch to more-elaborate arrangements.
Knowing that every week there is a new display also attracts locals into the hotel. The Balmoral’s afternoon tea, a £40 (US$57) affair with two sittings daily, always attracts about 100 Edinburgh people (and having seen the flowers, and tried the scones, with lots of cream, of course, some later return for Michelin-starred dining in Number One restaurant).
The Balmoral, which has 189 rooms and suites, is the only Rocco Forte Hotel in Scotland. Its detail-oriented GM Richard Cooke points out that his lobby flower display also becomes a great talking point between guests and staff members. “Overall, I do believe flowers should make you smile but also make you think,” he said. “A great floral will stop you for a brief moment and take your thoughts somewhere else. It allows you time. It’s about creating experiences, personal experiences but ones that can be shared.”