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When planning a holiday in Scotland, it’s a complete shame if it’s surrounded solely by cities. However, we understand that sometimes the city is where we (you) have to be, and in those cases, we always look for something connected to nature.
The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa was just that. The Marcliffe offers a lovely stay b and b style in Aberdeen while tapping into the relaxation and peacefulness only nature can provide.
Marcliffe Hotel and Spa at a Glance
Location | Edge of city / more countryside
Price Point | Luxury
Star Ratings | 9.1 on Booking.com
Parking | Free private parking
Book Now | Reserve your stay here
Highlights of the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa
- Countryside Feel
- Amazing Breakfast
- Spa on Site
- True Luxury Stay
Why We Chose the Marcliffe
When looking for places to stay within Aberdeen the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa stood out to us with the great guest ratings and the lush vegetation surrounding the hotel.
It’s only being a few minutes out of town, and on the castle trail road we might add, making it the perfect place for a central stay in Aberdeenshire.
Arriving at the Marcliffe, we felt like royalty. We were greeted with warm, smiling faces and a bellman who took our bags and escorted us straight to our room.
After explaining how to work the electricity in the room, he continued to explain a bit about the hotel grounds and how we could make the most out of our stay.
The Common Spaces at the Marcliffe
The Outside Grounds
If relaxing outside is your thing, you’ll find a plethora of areas to do so at the Marcliffe. In the center of the hotel, there’s a courtyard with beautiful tables and lush flowers – the perfect place to relax tucked away from any wind!
The hotel grounds have multiple grass areas to play with the kids or soak up the sun on a picnic blanket, and there’s even a walled garden and old wishing well. If you’re into golfing look no further than the quaint putting green right on the front lawn! The Marcliffe truly has a nature escape fit for anyone!
You can hear birds chirping, watch the trees sway in the wind, and just enjoy the lush garden area, with plenty of plants to block out all the road noise.
Inside the Marcliffe
There’s a lovely sitting area inside the Marcliffe, which is perfect on a rainy day. We enjoyed working in the main sitting room, while guests can also enjoy large comfortable couches and chairs for some afternoon tea.
The lobby itself has a fireplace and large comfy seating areas, while the Drawing Room just next door offers a more intimate atmosphere where you can enjoy a drink from the bar, board games, or a book from the bookshelf.
Details of the Rooms at the Marcliffe
We stayed in the Castle of Mey room, however, we reckon the amenities of this room are similar to the others.
The Bathroom
We’ve found that showers in Scotland can be extremely finicky. Our flat in Aberdeen had only seven minutes of hot water, while our friends’ flat had hot water but no pressure.
So, when we talk about a good shower, we mean it! And the shower at the Marcliffe was lovely.
The temperature was hot and constant, the pressure was great, and the different options for bathing were a nice touch. We loved that we could take long, hot showers or relax in a nice bath and had the option of a handheld showerhead or just a normal one.
The towels were plush, the counter was large, and there was even a towel warmer too.
The Luxurious Bed
With huge fluffy pillows and a heavy duvet, the bed was just the right amount of comfort. Perfect to sit in to read or work with loads of pillows for back support, and a nice firm base for a comfortable sleep.
The Extra Touches of Staying in Luxury
Bathrobes and Slippers
The room has all the bathroom necessities and more! Let’s just say when slippers and bathrobes are waiting in the room, they set the mood for a truly special stay.
It’s so refreshing getting out of a shower and being greeted with a warm robe and fresh slippers! And what better way to enjoy the slippers than with a drink from the fully stocked fridge with the option of purchasing any of the drinks or snacks provided?
Newspaper Delivery
Every day at the Marcliffe, guests can request to get the newspaper of the day delivered to their door.
Being from the states, the newspapers we’re used to are full of gossip and negativity. However, we were pleasantly surprised to read a Scottish newspaper full of all the positive things happening currently in Scotland.
This was a great first look into the news in Scotland and an eye-opener into how huge of an impact media has on spreading good.
Mid-Day Housekeeping
We’ll be the first to admit, we did not expect someone to come into our room and tidy up while we were in the Drawing Room mid-day. But what a lovely surprise to come back to.
Staff at the Marcliffe slip into your room while you’re away and prepare the room for the evening. This includes removing the bed runner, shutting the blinds, and freshening up the bathroom.
Fine Dining
We were blown away by not only how amazing the breakfast was, more on that below, but also how phenomenal the food was in the afternoon/evenings.
My mouth is still watering thinking of the sticky toffee pudding we had while playing games in the Drawing Room. Seriously, don’t skip out on their sticky toffee pudding!
Breakfast at the Marcliffe
After reading reviews of how good the restaurant is at the Marcliffe, we were very excited about breakfast. And the breakfast in the Conservatory lived up to all our expectations and more. With the amazing Belgian waffles, full Scottish breakfast options, and endless coffee, we left both days in a breakfast coma!
There are multiple ways to enjoy breakfast at the Marcliffe. You can order room service, eat your way through the breakfast buffet, or order from the hot, personalized breakfast menu.
Room Service at the Marcliffe
If you decide you’d rather not get dressed and walk downstairs for breakfast, you can get it delivered to your room for a £5 charge. You simply fill out a form of what you want to eat and when you want it delivered, and place it on your door, and wala, you’ll wake up to breakfast in bed!
Continental Breakfast Buffet
If you forego room service breakfast and prefer to eat in the conservatory (which we did and recommend), you start by being seated and offered coffee or tea. You then take a look at the menu, and while you wait for your personalized hot breakfast to arrive, you can enjoy a large selection of fruit juices, pastries, and a yogurt bar.
Obviously, for those not looking for a hot breakfast, the breakfast buffet is a great, filling option for breakfast on its own.
Hot Personalized Breakfast Made to Order
The list of warm dishes is so extensive! There’s everything from traditional Scottish breakfast to Belgian waffles, and even eggs with fish!
The menu consisting of well over ten breakfast dishes was certainly a huge aspect of why the breakfast was one of the best hotel breakfasts we’ve ever had.
Things to do Near the Marcliffe Hotel
Visit Aberdeen City Center
The location of the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa is perfect for a trip to Aberdeen. The hotel is just off of A93 (don’t let this scare you, you can’t really hear the road), and you can jump on a bus or drive straight into the city center basically straight down this road.
In Aberdeen, you’ll find city tours, great shopping opportunities, cute and quirky cafes, and access to the beach!
Explore Castles
A trip to Aberdeen wouldn’t be complete without visiting some castles within the Aberdeenshire. The Marcliffe is located right on the castle trail making access to these castles super easy!
Check out Drum Castle, or the inside of the famous Dunnottar Castle to get excited about visiting these beauties!
Golfing
If you want to get active, golfing is a great way to experience some of the Scottish culture and scenery. With golf courses along the ocean throughout Aberdeenshire, there’s no better place to play!
Ask the front desk at the Marcliffe to give you more information, and even book a golfing trip with them!
Macliffe Hotel and Spa FAQs
Who Owns the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa Aberdeen?
Stewart Spence owns the Marcliffe.
Is there parking at the Marcliffe?
Yes, there is free parking in a private parking lot at the Marcliffe.
Is breakfast available at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa?
Yes! And their breakfast is amazing. They have room service breakfast, continental, and freshly made to order hot breakfast meals.
When is Check-in and check out at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa?
Check-in is from 14:30 until midnight. If you’re arriving late, you should let the hotel staff know. Checkout is by 11:00, though you can still be on the premise after check-out time.
Are pets allowed at the Marcliffe?
Yes, pets are allowed on the grounds, in the rooms, and in the shared spaces that do not serve food.
Is there a swimming pool?
No, there is a spa that will be open during your stay, but no swimming pool at the Marcliffe.
Is there Wi-Fi at the Marcliffe?
Yes, there is shared public Wi-Fi that works both in the rooms and in the common areas. We recommend getting a VPN to protect your online security anytime you use a shared Wi-Fi network.
We use Nord VPN, currently and highly recommend it. However, CyberGhost is also a great VPN on the market.
Getting to the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa
Public Transportation
If arriving at Aberdeen via train or bus, from Union Square in Aberdeen, take bus 119, 201, or 202 and get off at Pitfodels International School.
From here, you’ll have a couple-minute walk (uphill) to the entrance of the hotel.
Plane
If flying into Aberdeen, you will arrive at Dyce International Airport. From here, we would suggest arranging a private car, or taxi to take you to the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa.
Taxi
From the airport, you will not need to arrange a cab ahead of time. There will be a cab line in front of the airport to take you straight to the hotel.
Simply ask for the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa and expect about a 20-minute cab ride for roughly £25. You can also grab a cab from numerous places within the city to access the hotel.
Car Hire
The Marcliffe staff can arrange a car hire for you to and from the hotel. Either email them ahead of time. Likewise, when at the hotel, they can arrange a private car for you to get around.
Driving Yourself
Accessing the Marcliffe via car could not be easier. First, driving in Scotland isn’t so bad, especially if you prepare ahead of time with familiarizing yourself with the Scottish road signs and hazards.
Heading towards Aberdeen, just after Cults, you’ll see blue signs for the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa on the left-hand side of the road.
If you’re arriving from Aberdeen, the hotel will be on the right just past the international school. There’s ample parking space at the hotel, so no need to worry about reserving a space for your car ahead of time.
Final Notes on the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa
If you’ve stayed at the Marcliffe Hotel and Spa, or are planning a stay there, let us know! We’d love to hear about your experiences at the Marcliffe!
If you have any questions regarding our stay or would like more specific details, email us, and we’ll be happy to assist you in any way we can!
**Although Mr. Spence and the Marcliffe team covered the costs of our stay at the Marcliffe, all opinions are our own. It really is a lovely, luxury stay in Aberdeen!
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