Pros
- Close to the A90, with free parking available on-site
- Executive Rooms are spacious and have Nespresso coffeemakers
- Lots of hot options in buffet breakfast, included in some rates
- Children's menu and 24-hour room service
- Great wine selection in bar
- Fantastic pool, sauna, and Turkish bath
- Event space with 12 meeting and banquet rooms for up to 400 guests
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
Cons
- Removed from city center in a dull part of town
- Standard Rooms are small and bland
Bottom Line
The Aberdeen Altens Hotel is a mid-range hotel with executive decor and value prices that's primarily geared toward business travelers -- although families could be comfortable here, too, as there's an indoor pool and a children’s menu in the restaurant. Plenty of meeting rooms and a well-equipped fitness center are also on site. The 216 guest rooms are slightly bland, but Executive Rooms include Nespresso coffeemakers and bathrobes. Alas there's truly nothing of tourist interest surrounding the hotel. Travelers looking for a central location with similar amenities could try the Park Inn by Radisson Aberdeen.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Amenities
- Fitness Center
- Internet
- Pool
- Spa
Scene
Four-story executive hotel with generic -- but not unpleasant -- look and feel
Housed in a four-story concrete building that resembles a prison from the outside, the Aberdeen Atlens Hotel looks less thorny on the inside. The pathway to the glass doors is lined with nicely trimmed potted bushes and the lobby is posh and spacious, its ceiling accented by an inset stained-glass dome window. There are many comfortable leather couches and armchairs set in clusters along with a large wooden piano in one corner, where musicians occasionally play live music in the evenings. The whole place does have an executive look about it, with wood and granite everywhere, archways, perfectly lined-up plants, and soothing nature photography in the hallways. There's no natural light or windows in the restaurant, but tables are marked with elegant red centerpieces, and there's a bar with stylish lights around the banisters that look like street lamps. Brasserie -- where breakfast is served -- is bright and welcoming, with comfortable red chairs and booths.
Location
In an industrial area south of Aberdeen's city center, but not near tourist attractions
The hotel is located in an industrial area, a five-minute drive from the beach and a 10-minute drive south of central Aberdeen. There is not much to see in the immediate area surrounding the hotel -- no restaurants, pubs, or tourist attractions save for a Burger King and some offices buildings down the road. The nearby A90 -- a major north/south thoroughfare -- provides easy driving access to all of Scotland. Edinburgh Airport is about two hours away by car, and Glasgow takes about two and a half hours to reach.
Rooms
Clean but basic rooms, including Executive Rooms with big bathrooms and Nespresso coffeemakers
There are 216 rooms at the Aberdeen Altens featuring simple decor and nature prints on the walls. The color palette is a wash of neutrals with coffee brown textiles, beige walls, and the occasional burgundy throw pillow. While the Standard Rooms are small and bland, the Executive Rooms are considerably larger and come with Nespresso coffeemakers, bathrobes, and more spacious bathrooms, all of which have shower/tub combos and plush towels. There's also a suite with a mini-fridge, but other rooms lack any sort of minibar. All rooms do, however, feature flat-screen TVs, desks, kettles, and ironing boards. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and throughout the hotel.
Features
Lots of meeting space, fitness center, pool sauna, and restaurant, plus large buffet breakfast
The Aberdeen Altens features an indoor pool that's relatively large and includes two hot tubs. The fitness center is also sizable with a large variety of machines (ellipticals, treadmills, rowers) -- all packed tightly together -- plus yoga mats and a stretch of open floor space with kettlebells and free weights. There's also a sauna. A large buffet breakfast serving several hot items is included in some rates, and the restaurant -- which also has a full bar -- serves sandwiches, salads, pasta, steaks, and pub fare at lunch and dinner. Room service is available 24/7. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi and parking along with 12 bland but functional meeting rooms catering to business travelers.
Things You Should Know About The Aberdeen Altens Hotel
Also Known As
- Thistle Aberdeen Altens
Address
Souter Head Road, Aberdeen AB12 3LF, United Kingdom
Website
Scene
Four-story executive hotel with generic -- but not unpleasant -- look and feel
Housed in a four-story concrete building that resembles a prison from the outside, the Aberdeen Atlens Hotel looks less thorny on the inside. The pathway to the glass doors is lined with nicely trimmed potted bushes and the lobby is posh and spacious, its ceiling accented by an inset stained-glass dome window. There are many comfortable leather couches and armchairs set in clusters along with a large wooden piano in one corner, where musicians occasionally play live music in the evenings. The whole place does have an executive look about it, with wood and granite everywhere, archways, perfectly lined-up plants, and soothing nature photography in the hallways. There's no natural light or windows in the restaurant, but tables are marked with elegant red centerpieces, and there's a bar with stylish lights around the banisters that look like street lamps. Brasserie -- where breakfast is served -- is bright and welcoming, with comfortable red chairs and booths.
Location
In an industrial area south of Aberdeen's city center, but not near tourist attractions
The hotel is located in an industrial area, a five-minute drive from the beach and a 10-minute drive south of central Aberdeen. There is not much to see in the immediate area surrounding the hotel -- no restaurants, pubs, or tourist attractions save for a Burger King and some offices buildings down the road. The nearby A90 -- a major north/south thoroughfare -- provides easy driving access to all of Scotland. Edinburgh Airport is about two hours away by car, and Glasgow takes about two and a half hours to reach.
Rooms
Clean but basic rooms, including Executive Rooms with big bathrooms and Nespresso coffeemakers
There are 216 rooms at the Aberdeen Altens featuring simple decor and nature prints on the walls. The color palette is a wash of neutrals with coffee brown textiles, beige walls, and the occasional burgundy throw pillow. While the Standard Rooms are small and bland, the Executive Rooms are considerably larger and come with Nespresso coffeemakers, bathrobes, and more spacious bathrooms, all of which have shower/tub combos and plush towels. There's also a suite with a mini-fridge, but other rooms lack any sort of minibar. All rooms do, however, feature flat-screen TVs, desks, kettles, and ironing boards. Wi-Fi is free in rooms and throughout the hotel.
Features
Lots of meeting space, fitness center, pool sauna, and restaurant, plus large buffet breakfast
The Aberdeen Altens features an indoor pool that's relatively large and includes two hot tubs. The fitness center is also sizable with a large variety of machines (ellipticals, treadmills, rowers) -- all packed tightly together -- plus yoga mats and a stretch of open floor space with kettlebells and free weights. There's also a sauna. A large buffet breakfast serving several hot items is included in some rates, and the restaurant -- which also has a full bar -- serves sandwiches, salads, pasta, steaks, and pub fare at lunch and dinner. Room service is available 24/7. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi and parking along with 12 bland but functional meeting rooms catering to business travelers.
Hotel & Amenities Photos
Best Rates
Amenities
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Airport Transportation
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Balcony / Terrace / Patio
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Business Center
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Cabanas
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Cable
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Dry Cleaning
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Fitness Center
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Internet
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Kids Allowed
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Meeting / Conference Rooms
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Pool
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Room Service
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Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space
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Spa
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Supervised Kids Activities
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Swim-Up Bar
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.