Aberdeen’s Marcliffe has officially been awarded the prestigious AA 5-star rating, making it the only 5-star hotel in the city under the UK’s leading hospitality rating system.
Marcliffe has received this accreditation from the AA, following the retirement of VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance (QA) scheme earlier this year. With VisitScotland discontinuing its hotel ratings earlier this year, the AA system now stands as the gold standard for hotel and restaurant excellence across the UK.
The AA 5-star rating was awarded after a series of anonymous overnight inspections by professional assessors, who evaluated the hotel’s service, facilities, food, and overall guest experience against rigorous criteria. The result reflects the highest level of excellence across every touchpoint of the guest journey.
In addition to the hotel rating, Marcliffe has also received an AA Rosette rating for its restaurant, a recognition of food that stands out in its local area, prepared with care, understanding, and skill using quality ingredients. This award signals to guests that they can dine with confidence and a sense of anticipation.
Sir Jim Milne CBE, Chairman of Marcliffe, commented: “This is a brilliant achievement and shows just how far we’ve come in a short time. To think we closed the hotel earlier this year to focus on improving standards, and now we’ve received this award, it’s a huge achievement and something the whole team can be proud of.”
“Aberdeen’s a city that deserves a 5-star hotel, and I’m really proud of the team for making it happen.”
As Marcliffe continues the process of appointing a new Managing Director, the AA 5-star rating provides a strong foundation for future growth and continued excellence.
In another significant milestone for Marcliffe’s future, the acquisition of the neighbouring Woodbank Hotel is nearing completion and is expected to be finalised by the end of November. This strategic expansion will nearly triple the size of the Marcliffe estate, unlocking exciting opportunities for growth, development, and enhanced guest experiences.
