The Granite City, Aberdeen, has a long history of large and traditional hotels — the grand and sparkling buildings lend themselves to such. However, in recent years there has been a move towards a different kind of hotel in the city: smaller, unique, luxurious, stylish in an alternative and less-traditional fashion and often quirky. Here are six of these boutique hotels for you to choose from.
Recently extensively renovated, The Chester Hotel simply oozes luxury. There are three different type of bedroom, suites, family rooms and also easily accessible rooms available, all cunningly put together by a local interior design firm. The rooms all have Apple or Smart TVs and rainfall showers, there is an on-site gym and the dining options are mouthwatering. The bar has a large selection of drinks — including excellent cocktails and their very own Chester beer. The Chester Hotel also offers several different packages, from a romantic getaway to a lazy Sunday.
With a reputation for providing those subtle touches that can make a stay so much more comfortable, if you are planning a stay in the city, Malmaison Aberdeen is a strong contender. With eight different styles of room to choose from, each with its own perks and quirks and ranging from a cosy double to an executive suite, there will be something here to suit all tastes and budgets. Clever little touches at Malmaison include toiletries labelled ‘The best shampoo you will ever steal’ and ‘Better shower gel than you have at home’ — which you are encouraged to take — and also nods to the locale, with pictures of Highland cattle, castles and also the occasional splash of tartan.
Skene House Rosemount is one of three city centre locations Skene House operates. The company was founded at the height of Aberdeen’s oil boom in order to provide excellent accommodation for the families of oilworkers and to this day, they pride themselves on being ‘Always more accommodating’. The key difference with Skene House is that the hotel is an apart-hotel, where you can book either a one, two or three bedroom suite. Rosemount is described as modern and stylish and this can certainly be seen in the décor and you can book penthouses or even suites, which feature a spiral staircase twirling through different floors. It has a central location, with a range of restaurants and activities nearby.
The name comes from the street upon which The Carmelite sits, in the centre of Aberdeen’s Merchant Quarter. The building itself is a fine example of Aberdeen architecture, with many traditional features still surviving, including beautiful stained glass. Surrounded by night-life, dining options and the buzz of the city, The Carmelite offers a great option to rest weary heads. The rooms are comfortable and quirky, with several options to choose from depending on budget or size of your group. There are 24 hour in-room dining options available and the restaurant has an extensive range of dishes, with dedicated gluten-free menus too. The Carmelite also boasts a jazz café and is a supporter of the Aberdeen Jazz Festival.
Rox Hotel is centrally located and ideal for those travelling to the city by train, plane, bus or boat. The hotel prides itself on the comfort of its rooms — the beds, in particular, receive excellent reviews. Rox features a small on-site gym, three café areas and the Rox Grill Room, which is capable of hosting 100 covers. Other treats include an extensive wine list, many single malt whiskies and cocktails. The en-suite bathrooms feature rainfall shower-heads and are finished in black granite, with a range of luxury bathroom products provided.
Just a stone’s throw off Aberdeen’s famous Union Street, Bauhaus is a hotel whose name instantly gives away the architectural and design style. This is a modern and high quality hotel and you’d be forgiven for thinking the room prices might be much higher than they actually are. Although the kitchen at Bauhaus does not serve evening meals, there is a large room service menu and a remarkable range of local restaurants and cafés to choose from. Continental breakfast is included in the room price. The rooms themselves feature original artwork, Nespresso coffee machines, laptop safe and a same day laundry service.
