A former university building in Aberdeen’s city centre will be reopened as a hotel and restaurant this summer
The 218-bedroom Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel and chop grill and bar restaurant is being created on the site of the former Robert Gordon University computing building on St Andrew’s Street, according to Canada-based Northland Properties.
The development is one of a raft of new hotels in the city including a planned 52-bedroom venue at the nearby former Woolmanhill Hospital and a recently opened Mariott at the Marischal Square complex.
But Aberdeen suffers from the worst hotel occupancy rates in the UK with more than one-third of rooms in the Granite City empty last year.
Hotels in Europe’s oil and gas capital were only 63.4% filled, according to accountancy and business advisory firm BDO.
Prior to the rapid oil downturn of recent years, large scale developments were planned to capitalise on energy workers and business people staying in the city for short periods.
But now it is hoped they can serve as a tourism base for visitors who may subsequently explore the rest of the north-east.
Hotel general manager Murray Todd said: “We’re really excited to be bringing our 50 years of Hospitality experience to Aberdeen with the opening of Sandman Signature Hotel Aberdeen.
“With something for every guest, from quality bedrooms and a luxurious lobby to spacious conference facilities, this is a new and exciting addition to Aberdeen’s city centre.”
Patrick Mercer, general manager at the chop grill and bar, added: “Guests will be able to enjoy all day dining, choosing from breakfast, lunch or dinner, or a catch-up with friends over cocktails or a whisky in one of our bars.”
Conservative councillor Alan Donnelly, who regularly speaks on the state of the city’s night-time economy, said the mood in the city was changing.
He added: “I think people are beginning to feel an upturn in the economy after what has been a hard few years.
“Confidence seems to be coming back with developments like this which will also be important for regenerating that area of town.
“Investments like this send the message out that Aberdeen is open for business.”
