12 hours ago
Inside the historic 135-year-old hotel right in the city centre – perfect for an Aberdeen adventure
Restaurant was so good despite we returned for a second feed
DON TO PERFECTION Inside the historic 135-year-old hotel right in the city centre – perfect for an Aberdeen adventure
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
THERE was no way the forecast of dipping temperatures and cold winds from the North Sea was going to put us off from a trip to Aberdeen.
This was to be a first-time visit to the city for my wife Jackie, so we packed the woolly hats and layers and set off.
4
The hotel dates back to 1890
4
The classy lounge at the Station Hotel
4
Allan soaking up the sun at Aberdeen beach
But the weather gods were more than kind to us as the clouds dispersed and we were treated to welcome sunshine. That wasn't the only bright spot during our visit.
Arriving at the iconic Station Hotel we knew the hotel gods were also looking out for us. Built way back in 1890, the hotel maintains its Victorian charm but has no shortage of modern-day comforts.
Our large, bright superior double room had welcome tea and coffee facilities, along with delicious shortbread and mineral water.
The huge Hypnos double bed was extra comfortable and the bathroom featured a super-powerful and refreshing overhead shower. Plush and fluffy bathrobes and comfy slippers added to the luxury feel and there was even ear plugs to guarantee a silent night.
The staff were friendly and helpful, especially in the brasserie where our first night's dining highlights were the tempura king prawns, sea bass and braised beef featherblade.
In fact, it was so good that, despite the temptation to eat out on our second night, we returned there and enjoyed tasty ribeye steaks.
With locally-sourced cuisine, the hot buffet breakfast was excellent with the usual sausage, bacon and egg complimented by the tasty black pudding and haggis.
There was also a wide choice of cereal and fruit and, of course, porridge. As the hotel name suggests, it is situated right beside Aberdeen's rail and bus station. It was ideal for us as we decided to make this trip as leisurely as possible — by leaving the car at home.
We boarded a Citilink coach at Glasgow's Buchanan Street Bus Station and seated upstairs we enjoyed the comfort of someone else driving as we took in the splendid scenery heading to the north-east coast with drop-off and pick-up spots at Perth and Dundee.
Aberdeen is a city full of history and we strolled across the old Motherwell-built steel bridge beside the hotel on Guild Street then made a drinks stop at Molly's Bistro which kept us on the history trail as it's on at the start of Shiprow.
Fly-through video shows what major Scots city will look like after huge £20m revamp
This was originally the main entrance to Aberdeen, dating back to 1281, and the Shiprow Village project now sees it featuring pubs and restaurants. Walk further up Shiprow and you come to the impressive Maritime Museum, housed in the 16th-century Provost Ross' House and church building.
The exhibits, across four floors, give you an insight into the city's trading, fishing and shipbuilding past, to today's offshore and global energy. The centrepiece between these is an amazing nine-metre high model of the Murchison Platform oil rig, with terrific oil-field details.
I reckon a bus tour is a great way to explore cities and we boarded the Aberdeen Adventurer at the impressive Marischal College, the world's second-largest granite building and now the City Council's headquarters.
One of the highlights was driving through picturesque Old Aberdeen with its cobble streets and King's College. As well as being known as the Granite City, many also refer to Aberdeen as the Silver City by the sea because the mica in the stone sparkles in the sun.
GO: ABERDEEN
ROOMS at the Station Hotel start from £60 a night for a standard double room and from £90 a night for a superior double room.
See
And as the sun broke through the light clouds it did just that and we hopped off the bus to enjoy it from the city's golden sand beach.
The threatened biting winds were still absent as we strolled the lovely promenade for a refreshment and then enjoyed a lovely wander back through the city to the hotel.
Thank goodness we didn't let that doom and gloom forecast put us off a trip up north, because we had a cracking few days in one of the Granite City's finest hotels.
