Aberdeen hotels

Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen is one of the top-rated hotels in Aberdeen, offering a self-catering approach to the typical Marriott experience. Guests choose from a range of studios or a one-bedroom suite, each boasting full kitchens and a grocery delivery service.

The hotel is in the city's heart, just a 10-minute walk from the main train station. It’s the perfect hub for exploring the Aberdeen Maritime Museum and the Aberdeen Art Gallery – I’d recommend both for anyone visiting the city.

Stop for dinner at nearby Maggie’s Grill, an unfussy barbecue joint with a fantastic reputation. Maggie’s baked loaded mac is the perfect way to end any day. Alternatively, head back and cook your meal in your private kitchen. This is hands down one of the best hotels in Aberdeen for a home-away-from-home experience.

A 15-minute drive from the centre, The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is the city’s only 5-star property. Choose from an array of rooms, ranging from the standard Deluxe room right up to the elegant Fyvie Suite.

The hotel is set within eight acres of picturesque grounds and the focus here is on relaxing, destressing and rejuvenating. Enjoy the gardens before heading to the spa for a massage, facial or pedicure.

Dining at The Marcliffe is just as delightful as the hotel itself. The Conservatory Restaurant is the place to come for dinner. I’d recommend the pan-fried fillet of sea trout, though the ribeye steak is also great. It’s the details that make the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa one of the top luxury hotels in Aberdeen.

An independent 4-star hotel in Aberdeen, the Atholl Hotel has long proven a popular choice for travellers. The hotel features 34 guestrooms, available as doubles or twins, all furnished to a high standard and offered with Sky Sports without an additional charge.

The hotel is a short 10-minute bus ride from the town centre. Once in town, I recommend a coffee, scone and some light reading at Books and Beans, a charming coffee shop and second-hand bookstore with oodles of character.

Return to the hotel and browse the restaurant, bar or lounge menus and take your pick. The baked fillet of salmon is a local favourite, but it’s the roast rib of beef that gets my vote. This is definitely one of the best hotels in Aberdeen for classic pub grub.

Located to the south of the city centre, Ferryhill House Hotel is one of the best hotels in Aberdeen thanks to its stunning restaurant and bar. The handsome classic bar is a treat to spend an evening in, while an impressive whisky selection keeps the palette guessing all night long.

There are just nine rooms to choose from at the hotel, each designed to emulate that home-from-home feel. Book a single, twin or double and enjoy this charming spot, just a 10-minute drive from the city centre.

Traditional Scottish food sets the scene in the restaurant, with pork and apple sausages, Ferryhill steak pie and Ferryhill haddock and chips forming the foundation. Don’t miss the sticky toffee pudding served with vanilla ice cream and homemade toffee sauce for afters.

Aberdeen’s Malmaison offers a softer side to the granite city, with uber-comfortable rooms perfect for some much-needed R&R. Choose from a range of guestrooms and suites, starting at the compact Cosy Rooms and moving up to Signature Suites for the most special of occasions.

Start your day with a workout in the gym and enjoy breakfast in the dining room. The in-house dry spa – earning Malmaison a place on my list of the top fancy hotels in Aberdeen – is the pièce de résistance. Book a single treatment or spend the whole day relaxing here.

The Malmaison Bar & Grill is the perfect place to refuel after a comfortable day of unwinding. The fusion restaurant offers grass-fed steaks, pastas and grills. The New York strip served with fries and roasted roscoff onion, is worth the trip alone.

Found opposite Union Terrace Gardens, The Globe Inn is one of the best hotels to stay in Aberdeen for a central location. Find the much-loved William Wallace Statue, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Provost Skene's House all within walking distance of the property.

Stay in one of the en-suite rooms and enjoy an optional cooked breakfast before taking on the town. Alternatively, try the Craftsman Company, a coffee and ale house offering a fantastic breakfast menu and award-winning coffee. I’d recommend a bacon breakfast roll with a fried egg and black pudding.

Traditional pub grub is this Inn’s speciality and guests will find a selection of quality, well-priced classics. The haggis, neeps and tatties are a must on any visit to Scotland. This is one of the best hotels in Aberdeen for a central stay packed with character and charm.

The chic Chester Hotel is one of the best hotels in Aberdeen for an elegant stay in the city. Set in the fashionable West End, the hotel offers 64 rooms and suites designed to make you feel every bit as special as the hotel itself.

The Gallery Bar is a personal highlight of the hotel, with its dramatic backdrop and stylish furnishings making it a wonderful place to while away a few hours. You’ll find great coffee, clever cocktails, fine wine and a wonderful selection of Scotch whiskies here.

The dining menu at the in-house restaurant is also fantastic and offers surprisingly great value. Stop here for afternoon tea, sandwiches or evening meals. Crab “cacio e pepe” is a wonderful addition, but the za’atar lamb gets my vote. Enjoy one of the many wonderful wines or choose from a selection of more than 100 whiskies.

Nestled on the banks of the River Dee, just a 10-minute drive from the city centre, the Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel is one of the best hotels in Aberdeen.

Built on the site of the 15th-century Pitfodels Castle, Norwood Hall is steeped in history and surrounded by stunning views. Guests can choose from standard, deluxe and king rooms, or upgrade to a suite for special occasions – though you’ll want to book well in advance to avoid missing out.

The renowned Tapestry Restaurant is a must for any visit. Enjoy the best Scottish cuisine with loin of lamb, wild mushroom risotto and fillet of cod all served in the traditional dining room. After dinner, go for a nightcap in the Georgian Lounge, where you can sample a selection of whiskies from a collection of more than 80 luxury malts.

This is one of the most unique hotels in Aberdeen, and an exciting development from the city-based beer brand Brewdog. Brewdog Kennels is the perfect city centre destination to sample Aberdeen’s famous nightlife from the inside out.

Stay above BrewDog Aberdeen Castlegate in one of the handsome beer-themed rooms and immerse yourself in BrewDog’s culture. Spend a night on the town before enjoying a nightcap in the bar below.

Another fantastic beer house, Fierce Bar, can be found just around the corner, while the Old Blackfriars, a wonderful two-storey pub, is just a five-minute walk away. There’s no doubt that Brewdog Kennels is one of the best hotels in Aberdeen for beer lovers and the perfect place to end your bar crawl in the city.

A 20-minute drive from the city centre, Maryculter House is well worth the journey. One of the most iconic hotels in Aberdeenshire, the property boasts 40 elegant rooms on the banks of the River Dee. Enjoy cosy robes and slippers in each of the seven types of room, from the Classic to the Four-Poster Suite.

Savour good food with good people in the restaurant, where you’ll find breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch, dinner and more. For dinner, the duo of Balmoral venison is sublime, but I can also wholeheartedly recommend the Peterhead halibut.

Fishing fans will love the hotel's handy proximity to the River Dee. Enjoy fishing on the river and have the staff organise a picnic lunch in the picturesque surroundings. The Maryculter House truly is one of the best hotels in Aberdeen.