Marcliffe
By the Top3Hotels editorial team. Based on Booking.com guest scores and reviews, location data and reference prices. We did not stay at this hotel. Updated 2026-10-24.
Marcliffe is worth booking if you want the best-rated five-star stay in Aberdeen and you have a car or plan to use taxis. Skip it if you want to walk to the city sights, because every landmark in our data is 49 minutes or more away on foot.
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Sold out? See available alternatives →Who it suits and who should skip it
This is our Luxury pick for Aberdeen. It holds an official 5-star rating and a guest score of 9.1 out of 10 from 545 reviews. Couples on a treat weekend, families who want family rooms, and drivers who value free parking are the natural fit. The property also lists a spa, a restaurant, a garden and a terrace.
The hotel carries a pet tag in its listing, so dog owners may find it useful. The exact pet policy and any fee are not confirmed, so ask the hotel before you book.
Skip it if you plan to explore the city centre on foot every day. The address is North Deeside Road, Pitfodels, Aberdeen, and the sights we measured are a long way off. Budget travellers will also find better value in our other two picks.
Location and getting around
Marcliffe sits on North Deeside Road in Pitfodels. Guests rate the location 9.3 out of 10, which suggests they are happy with the setting, but it is not a central base.
Our straight-line walking estimates put St Mary's Cathedral at 3.9 km, about 49 minutes. St Andrew's Cathedral is 4.8 km, about 60 minutes, and St Machar's Cathedral is 6.1 km, about 76 minutes. All three are far. Plan on public transport, a taxi or your own car for any sightseeing.
Free parking is listed by the property, which helps if you arrive by car. Check whether a space needs to be reserved for your dates.
What guests say
Staff get the strongest praise. Guests describe the team as friendly, attentive and professional, with a warm welcome on arrival.
Breakfast is the other highlight. The listed style is Full English/Irish, and reviewers mention fresh, cooked-to-order Scottish dishes and a large selection.
The main complaint is cost once you are inside. Guests call the experience high quality, but they find dining and bar prices high. Budget for meals on site, or plan to eat out with a car or taxi.
Price and how it compares with our other Aberdeen picks
The reference price was €217.50 a night. That figure comes from prices seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 (10 to 12 November) for 2 adults in one room. It is not a live quote, so check today's price for your own dates.
For context, the median in our sample was €107.02 a night, so Marcliffe costs roughly double. Our Budget pick, ibis Aberdeen Centre – Quayside, was €60.95 a night with a score of 8.3 and 3 stars. Our Best Value pick, Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen, was €159.12 a night with a score of 9.0 and 4 stars.
The gap to the Residence Inn is about €58 a night for a score that is only 0.1 higher. What the extra money buys here is the fifth star, the spa and the restaurant, plus free parking.
Why it made our top 3
We compared 13 eligible properties in Aberdeen. Marcliffe shared first place on guest score, and it holds an official 5-star rating. Five-star hotels get priority for our Luxury slot, so it was the clear choice.
The review count of 545 is smaller than at many city hotels, but the score is high and consistent with the praise for staff and breakfast.
Before you book
Several points have not been assessed: room size, noise, renovation condition, whether breakfast is included in your rate, and cancellation terms. Read the rate details carefully.
Spa access, restaurant opening times and any fees are not confirmed for your dates. Ask the hotel directly. If you travel with a pet, confirm the policy in writing.
Check prices on Booking.com ↗We may earn a commission if you book. It never changes our pick.
Sold out? See available alternatives →Questions travellers ask
Is Marcliffe within walking distance of Aberdeen city centre sights?
Not really. St Mary's Cathedral is about 49 minutes on foot and the other cathedrals we measured are 60 and 76 minutes away. Use a taxi, public transport or a car.
Does Marcliffe have free parking?
Free parking is listed by the property. Check availability and whether you need to reserve a space for your dates.
How much does Marcliffe cost per night?
The reference price was €217.50 a night, seen for a 2-night stay in November 2026 for 2 adults. Prices change, so check today's rate for your dates.
Is breakfast good at Marcliffe?
Guests praise it. The style is Full English/Irish, and reviewers mention fresh, cooked-to-order Scottish dishes. Check whether breakfast is included in your rate.
Is there a spa at Marcliffe?
The property lists a spa and wellness centre. Opening times and any extra charges are not confirmed, so ask before you go.