August 2025 by EMP
Nice place, lovely people, clean rooms, awesome breakfast. If Aberdeen were nicer, we?d definitely come back:)))
August 2025 by Nag J
My family and I had the pleasure of staying at The Marcliffe Hotel for one night from Sunday, August 10 to Monday, August 11, 2025, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish.
This five-star hotel truly lives up to its reputation, thanks to its outstanding staff and impeccable service.
Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by Carly at reception. As a party of four, we initially faced an issue with the hotel?s policy of allowing only two people per room. Carly went above and beyond to understand our situation and promptly secured a second room for us, ensuring our stay was comfortable and stress-free. Her professionalism and kindness made a lasting impression?thank you, Carly!?
The dinner at the hotel?s restaurant was a highlight of our stay. The meal was delicious, beautifully presented, and showcased the culinary expertise of the kitchen team. It was the perfect way to unwind after a long day.
The next morning, we had an early flight to catch, and the staff?s thoughtfulness truly shone through.
Tony, who was in charge of the front area, was incredibly accommodating and arranged for special sandwiches to be packed for our journey. These were expertly prepared by Chef Dave and Fraser in the kitchen, and we could taste the care and pride they put into their work. The sandwiches were a lifesaver and made our travel day so much more pleasant.??
The Marcliffe?s staff are truly its greatest asset?everyone we encountered was kind, attentive, and genuinely invested in making our stay memorable.
The hotel itself is elegant and comfortable, but it?s the exceptional service that sets it apart. We can?t recommend The Marcliffe enough and will definitely return on our next visit to Aberdeen.
Thank you to Carly, Tony, Chef Dave, Fraser, and the entire team for making our short stay so special!
August 2025 by Olivier Burnet
An Exceptional Stay
Absolutely stunning. The hotel exudes luxury, but what truly sets it apart is the exceptional quality of the staff, they elevate the entire experience. The breakfast is outstanding, both in variety and quality. Though the location is a little removed from the city center, the peaceful and serene surroundings more than make up for it. A perfect place to relax and unwind.
August 2025 by Clare Sutherland
Review is for the Spa - v confusing and disappointing. No online booking system and when I recently tried to book a pedicure - they gave me a time, I said I?d just quickly check my diary and the staff member hung up on me! I phoned central reservations after I couldn?t get back through to them (tried a few times, apparently they were closed for half of the week?). He promised someone would phone back the next day, but no one did. It?s a shame because the treatment menu looked really lovely. But it?s not worth three or four days of trying to reach them!
I booked with Malmaison instead ?????
August 2025 by Julie Craig
We went for Sunday lunch. Food was fantastic and so was the service. In particular, Tony.
July 2025 by Linda Rait
32 years of loyalty undone in less than a year.
After 32 years of loyalty to the Marcliffe Hotel, it is with a heavy heart that I say I will likely never return. The decline in both food and service has been swift and undeniable, ever since the hotel was bought over in June 2024, it?s as if all the care, charm, and culinary quality have vanished overnight.
This is a place where I held my wedding, where I spent countless hours enjoying luxurious afternoon teas, a la carte lunches, and dinners. My dog even had his own tradition - going home with a bag of Marcliffe leftovers. That?s all gone now.
Today's lunchtime visit was simply appalling. The chilli prawn tagliatelle was the worst dish I?ve been served anywhere: no chilli to speak of, overloaded with black pepper (which I cannot stand), and tough, rubbery prawns. I had it replaced with fish and chips?not exactly the dining experience I expect from a five-star hotel. Chicken schnitzel, again tough, and sea bream niçoise were equally uninspired. Where is the elegance? The creativity? The a la carte lunchtime menu has been completely scrapped, and the Drawing Room lunch menu is now more suited to a downmarket public house.
Service also fell short. A reasonable request to swap anchovies and a fried egg for broccoli that was already included on the menu had to be cleared with the kitchen. When I complained about the prawn tagliatelle, I was told by a manager that she and the chef had tasted the truly awful dish and it was ?correct.? That kind of dismissive, defensive attitude does not belong in a five-star venue.
My friends and I have attended multiple Sunday lunches since the June 2024 ownership change, every one more disappointing than the last. Prices are climbing, choice and quality is falling, and the atmosphere that once made the Marcliffe special has disappeared.
It?s truly a sad day when 32 years of loyalty can be so thoroughly undone in under 12 months.
July 2025 by MC
In 2025 it is absolutely unbelievable that a restaurant would think it?s reasonable to offer no vegetarian mains. There is a large selection of 10 main course options on the lunch menu but all meat and fish. When we queried the chef responded that there were vegetarian options, I could have some soup or a cheese or egg mayo sandwich. Does anybody go out for a celebratory meal to a ?5 star? restaurant to have a cheese and pickle sandwich? I don?t think so. Is the chef really so unimaginative that they can only offer the same vegetarian options as a greasy spoon cafe? It states on the menu to let them know in advance of any dietary requirements and we had told them twice in advance that some of our party were vegetarian. What?s the point in asking that if you?re not going to bother accommodating? Eventually they made the one vegetarian option they have on the dinner menu for us. (For some reason not available for lunch?) But to be honest it really wasn?t worth the hassle it was just completely dry gnocchi with charred vegetables.
July 2025 by Emilie Hofer
Staying at the Marcliffe Hotel was an absolute dream from start to finish. It was truly a 10/10 experience in every way. The service was warm, attentive, and effortlessly professional. Every staff member we encountered made us feel genuinely welcome, without ever being overbearing.
The rooms were beautifully appointed. They were spacious, comfortable, and full of thoughtful touches that made it feel like a real luxury retreat. The views from the property are stunning, especially with the surrounding greenery and peaceful atmosphere that gives you a proper sense of escape.
The food was another highlight ? every meal was delicious, fresh, and elegantly presented (esp. the Seafood!). Whether it was breakfast or dinner, the quality and care that went into the food was clear.
It?s rare to find a place that gets absolutely everything right, but the Marcliffe truly does. We left feeling completely relaxed and well cared for, and we are already planning our return. Highly recommend without hesitation.
June 2025 by Alexander Albrindt
A really lovely hotel on the outskirts of Aberdeen. Big rooms and good service. The food in the restaurant was really good. It?s a bit out from Aberdeen so if you want to have a city visit you need to think about how to get in to town. We took our rental in to Golden Square as per instructions from the staff which was really easy.
June 2025 by Stuart Donald
At a wedding 21/6/25. Cracking location, decent venue?But looked after by Paulina so well that was above and beyond.
June 2025 by Susan Bain
Yesterday we went for lunch at the Marcliffe to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. From the moment we arrived until the time we left the staff were amazing and made us feel special. The food was first class and nothing too much trouble for the staff. Kellie has made this a first class venue.
June 2025 by Vlado Tomov
Great place
June 2025 by Emma
From the moment you walk through the doors you get great service. I didn't stay at the Marcliffe, I went for a Birthday meal. We had the private room and the service was amazing, they couldnt do enough for you. Food was really good too. Highly recommend!
June 2025 by Calum Auld
Amazing meal with superb staff and excellent views
June 2025 by Kim Clark
I had booked a private dining room in November 2024 for my 60 th birthday in September 2025. I emailed MARCLIFFE events last week to confirm time. As I didn?t receive any response I called. To my dismay and disappointment I was told we were now in the restaurant. They have moved a wedding party into the room I had booked so they can have drinks outside. One of the small function suites has been changed to a bedroom and they are making other changes which I didn?t quite follow. If I hadn?t called I?m not sure when I would have found out. The person I spoke to is just new and didn?t really know or could offer any help until I persisted I talk to a manager. I asked for her to call me back, which she didn?t, I called again and she went off to speak to the manager who was too busy to speak to me direct. We have been offered complimentary drinks and canopies but am so disappointed and annoyed at the lack of communication and that my birthday plans have been changed without any thought or consideration. I am looking at other options now as I don?t feel it will be the same if I do go to MARCLIFFE and don?t think they deserve my business.
