With so much oil, gas and, increasingly, renewable energy money oozing through the granite streets of Aberdeen these days it is no surprise that the local hotel scene just keeps getting more and more sophisticated. Malmaison’s third Scottish hotel is a welcome addition, a boutique oasis set within a grand mansion within walking distance of the city ‘s granite heart.
Legendary Scottish hotelier Ken McCulloch may no longer be involved with Malmaison, but his winning mix of chic modern decor and reasonable pricing continues here. The setting is Queens Road in a grand old dame that used to house the city’s landmark Marcliffe Hotel. Its sturdy granite facade has been complemented with a signature metal Malmaison arch and exterior mood lighting that hints at the impressively remodelled modern interior.
Design Flair
Critics of the Malmaison brand often decry that their post-industrial design hotels are too dark. While some of the public areas and some guestrooms are a tad on the dark side, the restaurant is a bright and airy space. A number of guestrooms also boast terraces that brighten them up instantly. Neat touches include Mal brand toiletries, half a hour of free internet access and the largest bar of chocolate you are ever likely to find in a hotel minibar.
Buzzy Brasserie Ambiance
The restaurant pulls in local punters with its buzzy brasserie ambience, decent prices (with regular promotions) and emphasis on solid local produce. The excellent steaks, with Aberdeen Angus (of course) available, are from legendary Scots butcher Donald Russell with the meat hung for a minimum of 28 days. Malmaison’s Signature Steak is the highlight, a ribeye still on the bone that comes in 400g and gargantuan 700g versions.
Head chef Mark Taylor is the man at the helm of a tight ship that just as comfortably steers its way through local white fish, lamb, rabbit and vegetarian options, as well as a range of comforting desserts. Diet conscious diners skipping pudding might just succumb to the complimentary chocolate pot that comes with coffee to finish, another neat touch at a hotel that pays attention to the little details.
MICE Facilities
With such a vibrant local business community the MICE facilities are decent for a hotel of its size. The Rubislaw can seat 45 theatre style or 16 classroom with day delegate rates from £45. Other facilities include what is grandly titled a gym, but is more a fitness room with one running machine, though there is also a steam room. An impressive range of spa treatments are also available, from quick facials, through to full day therapies that include lunch. Hot stone treatments are the house speciality.
Aberdeen may not be short on hotels, but for those looking to eschew tartan tack or international chain blandness, the Malmaison is a welcome and supremely stylish retreat in Europe’s Oil Capital.
Malmaison Aberdeen, 49-53 Queens Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4YP. Tel: 01224 327 370. www.malmaison.com
InsiderScotland Rating [effortless-gm address=”[49-53 Queens Road, Aberdeen, AB15 4YP”]
For Families 6/10
For a Romantic Break 7/10
For Food 8/10
For Business People 7/10
InsiderScotland Rating 7/10.
