junkgalore

We will be spending 1 night in Aberdeen. We're considering staying at the Soprano St Magnus Court Hotel on Guild Street... or the Aberdeen Douglas on Market St.
Any thoughts between the two?

A few questions...
1. If we decide to see a show at Aberdeen Arts Centre, is it safe to walk at night? (Google maps shows it as about a 5-7 min walk from either hotel)
2. Is street parking easy/safe if we want to leave our car at the hotel? If not, what can we expect to pay for a night of parking?
3. Is the hotel restaurant at the Soprano recommended? We're thinking of eating there then going to the show...if we choose the hotel. Otherwise, we can walk somewhere else nearby, if someone has a recommendation.

TIA!

travelme

Sorry that I cant help you. Janisj is an excellent resource for Britain and should be along anytime soon to help you.

janisj

Actually -- I've only been to Aberdeen a few times (stayed in the city twice and been through probably 4 or 5 times) and other than assuming the places you mention are safe, I can't help you much. But we have a res-ex here on Fodors - Sheila lives in Aberdeen and hopefully when the the UK contingent is up and about she will see your thread.

(There are a couple of others who can also probably help)

sheila

Neither of those hotels is wonderful. I have never stayed in either but the Douglas is definitely a step up from the St Magnus. I'm told the Douglas has just been done up again, and I'm told it's fine (in fact, when I think of it, I have a training course there this coming Wednesday. But the new Jury's Inn is just over the road and the Carmelite is round the corner. They are all coming in within £5-10 of each other on a random selection of days on Late Rooms. If you pick the Carmelite, ask for one of the rooms which has been done up- it's an ongoing process.

A pal of Roger (rogerdodger) stayed in the St Magnus, and I think he found it... interesting.

No matter where you stay it is safe to walk about- normal precautions apply. Union Street- the main shopping street in the city- is jumping with young people who have had too much to drink after about 11pm.

It will take no time at all to walk to the Arts Centre, but if that is the driver for your selection, there's a Premier Inn on the other side of the street, which would be better than either. It's also half the price.

Street parking is safe, but not easy. there are, however, a plethora of car parks within a few minutes walk of either hotel. The "private" ones will be £15. The Council ones which are SLIGHTLY (but only slightly) further away are £1.50

DO NOT EAT in the Soprano. If you decide to stay down there, then there area couple of good restaurants in the Green; and Cafe Musa just round the corner.

There are good Chinese and Indian en route. La Stella in the Adelphi is very good.

Whatever you do, if you are to be here Monday to Thursday, book in advance. Aberdeen is FULL on weekday nights.

,

BigRuss

You want familiarity with Aberdeen? Author Chris Brookmyre -- the Scottish equivalent of Elmore Leonard. Hates the place.

That said, we had no problems but only stayed in the area for two nights and did stuff outside the city. What else are you going to do there?

amelie

Well shelia is the one to ask about Aberdeen. My husband is from there and I've been there a lot, but not for a year now. It's safe to walk at night. My parents stayed at the Holiday Inn Express off Union Street and it was decent. We always stay at my husband's parents so that's about all I know about the hotels.

alihutch

Here are few Aberdeen restaurants on a site which lets you get deals.....The Bothy in Glasgow is quite good, haven't been to the Aberdeen one

http://www.5pm.co.uk/restaurant/aberdeen/

amelie

ps. I highly recommend 210 Bistro, http://www.210bistro.com/restaurant/
Probably a 15 min walk to the Arts Center.

junkgalore

thanks for the replies... I can def read between the lines. We've opted to stay at Skene Whitehall and just drive to the art centre.

We're only spending 1 night here. The location was chosen randomly based on us leaving Edinburgh via St. Andrews -- on our way to Inverness. Thought it would be a good stop in between. Then we saw there was a play going on and thought it might be fun to add that in, if time and energy allows.

Will look into 210 Bistro, will stay away from St. Magnus.
Thanks for your helpful insights.

sheila

The Arts Centre is venue which pretty much does amateur dramatics.

The "proper" theatre in Aberdeen in His Majesty's Theatre. The walk from Skene Apartments to His Majesty's is maybe 15 minutes and is totally safe. Much posher area than round about the station.

You would pass on the way, the Nargile Turkish restaurant. It does lovely food.

Or Howie's is a short diversion away and it themes its food on Scottish produce.

Do you mind saying when you'll be here, and I'll see what else I can track down to amuse you?

junkgalore

Thanks! We'll be spending one night on Friday, Nov. 5.
I think we found the arts centre just googling "Aberdeen theatre."

It's an Agatha Christie show... we weren't exactly sold but then again, we're just looking for something interesting to do in a foreign city

sheila

Go to the fireworks, for heavens sakes!!

sheila

OK. Studio Theatre is one of our better AmDram groups, and the play is OK; but The Producers is on at the real theatre. OTOH that's also an AmDram company.

If you like traditional music, I'd suggest the Music Hall which is playing Salsa Celtica and a wonderful singer called Julie Fowlis.

:-http://www.boxofficeaberdeen.com/prod-productions_details.asp?pid=961&venueid=88

But, if you're from overseas, go to the fireworks

http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/Event..._fireworks.asp

bilboburgler

Given the large organised crime gangs that work in the city the name Soprano is somewhat apt.

sparkchaser

Aberdeen is a bit of an ugly city but the the Brew Dog pub there makes up for it.

janisj

This is a REALLY old thread that was topped by a spammer . . . .