Aberdeen House

The friendly receptionist, clean room, and spot beside both the bus and train stations were the good parts. The hotel itself is dated, has no lift, and offers little sound insulation. Street traffic and the karaoke bar next door were easy to hear. One key seemed to open everything, and someone even came into our room. Would I stay again? Highly unlikely.

We liked the family bed setup, with a parent's bed and children's bunks in one room, though the rooms felt small. The single staff member we met was great, and the hotel itself was good in many ways, but the policy overshadowed that: they required a £50 deposit per room, which would be forfeited if there were stains on the bedding or towels, or any other damage. That made it hard to relax in a place we’d booked for a break. The location is a real plus, close to the bus station and ferry park, and in the city centre with a good view from the window. The self-service approach has benefits, but when one staff member handles so many duties, help can be slow or inadequate. Technology is useful, but this kind of place still needs human interaction.

The receptionist was all smiles and happy to help with anything. It’s a very nice room, with a lovely en-suite bathroom. There’s no bath, though the room might just be big enough if you brought your own. This is a simple place, just a room, with no bar or catering. The room is central and reasonably priced, and despite all the noisy bars nearby, I didn’t hear a thing overnight. The soundproofing must be very good. There are lots of steps, so it may be tricky for people with limited mobility. There might be a lift, but I didn’t need to ask.

I had to make an unexpected trip to Aberdeen and there weren’t many options. I booked a room here for a few nights and was very well looked after. It’s right in the centre, with bus and train links across the road and plenty to do nearby.