The Marcliffe Hotel Review: Is This Luxury Scottish Hotel Worth It?

Looking for a luxury hotel in Aberdeen, Scotland? During my trip to the United Kingdom, I spent three nights at the Marcliffe Hotel, a five-star hotel, known for its elegant atmosphere, superb customer service, and relaxing surroundings.

From enjoying a good Scottish breakfast in the mornings to sampling whiskey at the bar, I had the opportunity to experience several aspects of the property during my stay.

I also really enjoyed the room, which made the hotel a comfortable place to return to after exploring the town of Aberdeen.

In my Marcliffe Hotel Aberdeen review, I’ll share my personal experience of staying here for three nights.

I’ll include what I thought of the room and amenities, breakfast, and overall atmosphere. I’ll help you decide whether the Marcliffe is worth considering for your next trip to Scotland.

Table of Contents

First Impressions of the Marcliffe Hotel

Arriving at the Marcliffe Hotel was the beginning of my three-night stay in Aberdeen, Scotland. I actually rented a car and drove the 30-minute drive from Aberdeen Airport to the Marcliffe.

The Marcliffe is located a bit further from town, but driving and taking the bus was easy from the hotel.

Right from the start, I was impressed with the customer service from the door greeter to the staff at check-in. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and informative.

Since I was in Aberdeen for a wedding, we had a fairly large group, so while waiting for others, a few of us had coffee, tea, and cake at the café.

Everything at the café was high quality, so I knew right then that I was really going to enjoy my stay.

Of course, one of the highlights of my stay at The Marcliffe was the room, which I really enjoyed returning to after a busy day exploring Scotland.

After check in, seeing my room, and experiencing the friendly hospitality, my first impressions were amazing, I had high hopes and they did not disappoint.

Marcliffe Hotel, Aberdeen Review

In this Marcliffe Hotel review, I’ll share what I enjoyed about staying at the Marcliffe, what stood out during my visit, and whether I think this luxury hotel in Aberdeen is worth considering for your Scotland itinerary.

Our Room: Comfort, Style, and Amenities

We were a large party staying at the Marcliffe Hotel. Each of us were staying in different wings of the hotel and each and every room was completely different. From what I saw, not one room was alike.

I stayed in the hotel wing where the rooms were named after famous castles in Scotland. I stayed in the Braemar room, which is named after Braemar Castle.

The Braemar Room was comfortable with a large bed, couch, small table and chairs, and large television. I found the bed and bedding to be very comfortable.

The bathroom was spacious and had an older antique feel to it, with a toilet, sink, and bathtub. The only negative aspect of the bathroom was the water pressure in the shower, it was low and the water took a minute to warm up.

The Braemar Room at The Marcliffe did come with snacks, coffee, and tea. There was also a safe in the room and iron, which I did not use.

Dining at the Marcliffe

Breakfast was part of my daily routing during my three-night stay at The Marcliffe Hotel in Aberdeen. I loved waking up every morning and enjoying a wonderful spread and fantastic coffee.

Breakfast at the Marcliffe included a continental buffet with fruits, meats & cheeses, pastries, yogurt, and a variety of smoothies and juice.

There was also a regular breakfast menu that included a Full Scottish breakfast, vegetarian option, and other common Scottish breakfasts like Smoked Haddock, Grilled Kippers, Eggs Benedict, and Smoked Salmon.

My first morning at the Marcliffe, I went with the Full Scottish Breakfast, which included sausage, bacon, haggis, black pudding, mushrooms, tomato, beans, a potato scone, and egg.

A Scottish breakfast is filling and in my opinion, a great way to start the day. Even the haggis and black pudding was great.

The Marcliffe had a very nice restaurant where I met family for lunch for afternoon tea, coffee, and dessert.

The coffee and tea is of high quality and well made, as were the desserts. We tried cake and an apple crumble.

One of my favorite places at the Marcliffe Hotel was the bar at the Drawing Room.

We were here every night for hours. I got to sample local whisky, the bartenders were extremely knowledgeable about the whiskey and provided their recommendations, all were exceptional.

We also had dinner and light snacks here at the bar. Included food items like haggis balls, french fries, soups, and various other small dishes to try.

Hotel Facilities and Amenities

One worth that describes the Marcliffe Hotel is “Comfortable.” I felt so comfortable here whether it was sitting near the fire place in the lobby or walking the grounds enjoying the exterior of the hotel.

There were so many places to sit and relax at the hotel both during the day and night.

I spent the mornings after breakfast, walking the grounds. They have some seating areas outside and nice gardens.

Parking wise, there was plenty of parking at the Marcliffe Hotel. I Drove around a giant Renault Trafic Extra in Scotland, and there was plenty of room for this giant van at the parking lot.

I did not use this service, but the Marcliffe does have a spa. At the spa, you can enjoy massages and Facials.

For more information on the Spa making a reservation, you can book through the Marcliffe official website.

Staff & Customer Service

The staff at the Marcliffe Hotel made my stay memorable, especially the staff at the check-in counter and the bar area at the Drawing Room.

The staff at the lobby were always super friendly, helpful, and informative. They answered every question we had in a professional manner.

The bartenders at the Drawing Room were a blast to hang out with. The female bartender there really knew her drinks and shared so much information about Scottish whisky with me and the family.

Location: Is the Marcliffe a Good Base for Exploring Aberdeen?

The Marcliffe Hotel is located on N Deeside Road in the Pitfodels area, of Aberdeen. Unlike a hotel in Aberdeen’s city centre, the Marcliffe offers a quieter country setting while still be close to Aberdeen’s main attractions.

The Marcliffe Hotel is about 10-15 minutes by car from downtown Aberdeen and around 20-30 minutes from the airport.

If you are planning to explore Aberdeen’s historic streets, museums, shopping areas, and restaurants, it’s all a short drive away.

There is also a convenient bus station down the road from the Marcliffe Hotel, less then a 10-minute walk. I used the bus several times to go downtown.

Overall, I think for a luxury hotel outside the city centre, the Marcliffe Hotel is a great choice when staying in Aberdeen. Plan ahead, if you will have your own car, rely on taxis, or the bus, as this can influence how you can get around.

Pros and Cons of Staying at the Marcliffe

Comfortable Rooms

The rooms at the Marcliffe hotel were comfortable. The bed was huge, there were enough pillows, and the bedding was cozy. Overall, the rooms were fabulous.

Multiple Dining Options

The Marcliffe Hotel had various restaurants and lounge areas to order food. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Luxury Experience

I rarely stay at 5-star hotels and the Marcliffe hotel lived up to it. The hotel had a lot of charm, character, and really felt like an upscale accomodation.

The Staff

Outside of the room and food, the staff really made my stay at the Marcliffe memorable. The staff was so pleasant the entire time from check-in to check-out and everything in between.

Convenience/Location

The Marcliffe is farther from the city centre. Although there are ways to get to central Aberdeen, it can take time and you have o rely on public transportation if you do not have your own means of transport.

Higher Prices

You get what you pay for. Sure, you can stay at a cheap hotel in the city centre, but if you are looking for a nice hotel in Aberdeen and a one of a kind experience, I highly recommend the Marcliffe.

FAQs About the Marcliffe

Does the Marcliffe Hotel serve breakfast?

Yes, breakfast is available at the Marcliffe. The hotel has a continental breakfast as well as a set menu with traditional options like a Full Scottish Breakfast.

Is the Marcliffe Hotel in Aberdeen worth staying at?

The Marcliffe Hotel is worth considering if you are looking for a luxurious stay in Aberdeen with comfortable rooms and an elegant atmosphere.

Is parking available at the Marcliffe Hotel?

Yes, there is plenty of parking at the Marcliffe Hotel. It's free on-site parking.

How many nights should you stay at the Marcliffe Hotel?

The ideal length depends on your Scotland itinerary. I stayed here for three-nights which really gave me enough time to enjoy the hotel and explore Aberdeen. Given the price, I think even a one-night stay is worth it just to enjoy the comfort of the room and start your day off with a superb breakfast.

Is the Marcliffe Hotel Worth Staying at?

After spending three-nights at the Marcliffe Hotel in Aberdeen, I would recommend considering it if you are looking for a 5-star luxury hotel. I loved the rooms, amenities, dining options, and friendly staff.

If you are planning a trip to Scotland and staying in Aberdeen, I do recommend staying at the Marcliffe Hotel. Although farther from town, it’s still a great option as a base to explore Aberdeen.

Ultimately, if you are looking or a luxury experience or just want to stay somewhere nice, I’d put the Marcliffe on your shortlist and compare room rates with your travel budget before booking.

Staying at the Marcliffe was one of my favorite experiences during my two-week trip to Scotland. Safe Travels!

The Marcliffe Hotel Review: Is This Luxury Scottish Hotel Worth It?

First Impressions of the Marcliffe Hotel