Marcliffe submits planning for unique indoor/outdoor dining experience as part of multi-million-pound upgrade

Marcliffe, Aberdeen’s only five-star hotel, today announces multi-million-pound upgrades, with the centrepiece being a new dining space in the hotel’s courtyard.

Artist's impression of new Marcliffe restaurant

Designed to offer a unique indoor-outdoor experience with year-round comfort, the all-weather venue will feature a central bar and provide a vibrant new setting for dining and socialising at Marcliffe.

As part of the renovations, Marcliffe will introduce a new luxury bridal suite, providing an exclusive space for wedding celebrations. Guest rooms will also be upgraded, with improved air conditioning, refreshed interiors and modernised amenities. Work is scheduled to take place from April - December 2025 and the hotel will remain open throughout the renovation period.

“The dome-style dining space will add a completely new dimension to the Marcliffe experience, offering a unique space for Aberdeen, where guests and visitors can dine, celebrate and experience something truly special.”

Revealing the next ambitious step in Marcliffe’s evolution, Sir Jim Milne CBE, Chairman of Balmoral Group, the hotel’s owners, said: "The dome-style dining space will add a completely new dimension to the Marcliffe experience, offering a unique space for Aberdeen, where guests and visitors can dine, celebrate and experience something truly special.

The move directly addresses guest feedback from the hotel’s #MyMarcliffe survey in October 2024, which revealed that respondents sought upgraded bedrooms, modernised facilities and an improved dining area. At the same time, the move forms part of the hotel’s broader strategy to establish itself as a world-class hotel that blends Scottish heritage with modern luxury.

Milne added: "Feedback from our survey has been invaluable in helping us prioritise areas for investment. We are committed to cementing Marcliffe’s position as one of Scotland’s leading hospitality destinations. This is part of a long-term strategy of ongoing investment."