Whats Aberdeen like for a weekend break?

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:03 pm

Thinking on dumping the kids with Granma at Easter and heading up to Aberdeen with the wife (and 'Liz).

Is the harbour in the middle of the action? Was thinking of staying around there. What's the bars/resturaunts like (suggestions welcome)... and for Mrs Gorrie, whats the shopping like?

Only ever been to Aberdeen on business... and each time it was on the outskirts.

Edinburgh is out, as that's where I'm from.
Glasgow is out, I'm through there now and again on works nights out.
Dundee is out, my relatives are from there... and I'll be made to feel bad about not visiting them.
Stirling is out, cause we were there for a weekend in August.

Cheers, Andy.

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:15 pm

...or Inverness....

Im heading there next weekend...anything cool to do there?

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:21 pm

Don't know about Aberdeen - but I worked in Inverness last year for a few months - restaurant recommendations- both of these were pretty good

Roc-pool
Mustard Seed

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:28 pm

Aberdeen's fine, but I'd suggest you stay somewhere on the outskirts and then travel into the town during the day.

Out near Inverurie (20mins from city) there's Thainstone House and Pittodrie House which are nice. There's some nice Liz roads that way (my neck of the woods) and nice scenery.

Avoid the harbour area if you can really. With the exception of the maritime museum, not a lot down there apart from rough bars and ladies of the night.

The shopping's decent enough, most things are off union st or in the shopping centres.

Lots of restaurants - I often review them as part of my work so give me a theme/type of cuisine and I'll tell you more!

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:29 pm

Restaurant: Try and book Musa.
I use it a lot.

There's a nice Hotel called the Carmelite in the next street from the restaurant. Both beside the harbour with a short two min walk from Union Street (main street with all pubs). Check the Carmelite has secure parking especially if taking the Elise.

For a real nice hotel, try The Marcliffe (5*) which is a £6 taxi from the centre of town. I got married there and I only like the best

For me living here Abz is not exciting but I guess cause I know it.
Would be the same for you living near Eddy and Glasgow.

skellyjohn · Post by **skellyjohn** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:33 pm

Try The Ardoe House Hotel on the outskirts of town (4 miles). Think it's a McDonald Hotel. Very nice hotel with spa facilities for the mrs, swimming pool, great food etc.
They normally do deals at the weekend so try booking online or call them direct. Tell them its a treat for the mrs and they normally do a decent package.
As Tuscan says, avoid the harbour. It stinks of fish... and that's just the wimmin!!

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 12:41 pm

skellyjohn wrote:As Tuscan says, avoid the harbour. It stinks of fish... and that's just the wimmin!!

roflmao..

Reason I mentioned the harbour... I saw a serviced apartment that looked quite nice. http://www.citywharfapartments.co.uk/index.html

I did something similar when I stayed in Temple Bar/Dublin last April. Temple Bar Apartments or something... more freedom than a room in a hotel. I quite like that.

But, those apartments don't have secure parking as far as I'm aware... and you guys have painted a grim picture of the harbour in my head. Don't want to take the MG...

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:03 pm

Carmelite is excellent but in a dodgy area and has no parking.

Parking's my concern which is why i'd go for an out-of town hotel.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:04 pm

Def. book Musa

Musa Art & Music Cafe
33, Exchange St, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire AB11 6PH
Tel: 01224 571771

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:10 pm

If there is no secure garage give it a miss. I wouldn't let any car out of my sight parked there...

I second Pittodrie, Thainstone, Ardoe House or the Marcliffe.
More central try the Queens or Simpsons (nice nearby pubs and parking no problem).
If you must be bang in the city centre try the Copthorne or Thistle Aberdeen Caledonian (although not sure of parking at these).

tuscan_thunder · Post by **tuscan_thunder** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:13 pm

alicrozier wrote:If there is no secure garage give it a miss. I wouldn't let any car out of my sight parked there...

I second Pittodrie, Thainstone, Ardoe House or the Marcliffe.
More central try the Queens or Simpsons (nice nearby pubs and parking no problem).
If you must be bang in the city centre try the Copthorne or Thistle Aberdeen Caledonian (although not sure of parking at these).

Copthorne has underground parking.

Simpsons is ok but there are a lot of merchant bankers who frequent it which puts me off! Queens is closed isn't it after its takeover by Malmaison?

r055 · Post by **r055** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:21 pm

Ardoe house is lovely and very easy to find (even with my navigational skills), however its bloody expensive for anything to eat in the hotel - £2 for a can of Irn Bru!:shock: but no doubt you'll be eating out. I was there 2 years ago and it was just after a heavy spell of snow.

As far as parking goes, you're outside amongst the gym members who happened to take up all of the spaces when i was there! And there are loads of parking spaces!

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:23 pm

tuscan_thunder wrote: Simpsons is ok but there are a lot of merchant bankers who frequent it which puts me off! Queens is closed isn't it after its takeover by Malmaison?

I resemble that remark...

Ah, behind the times on the Queens. It's been a while since I stayed in a hotel in Aberdeen.

Btw, fully furnished, 2 bed, city centre apartment becomes available soon for trusted SE'rs. Secure parking. Owner abroad, strictly cash deals...

(or transfer to Nigerian bank account)

gorrie · Post by **gorrie** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:36 pm

Cheers Guys... the apartment is out then. Not risking damage to the Elise.

The idea is to take some scenic roads on the way up. Stay central so I can get beered up without the hassle of driving back to the hotel (although I guess we could use taxi). And the scenic roads back down again.

Only be up for 2 nights and don't plan on driving whilst up there. Sample menu for Musa looks good... so will likely try that.

Checked out the Copthorne website, and will check the others too.

Tuscan Thunder... any good Thai places? Thai Green Curry is one of my favourites.

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:48 pm

http://www.webcafe.co.uk/royalthai.html