Four silver star Aberdeen venue The Chester Hotel has revealed 21 new guest rooms as part of a seven-figure investment to increase capacity at the top destination.
The west end hotel has increased its accommodation capacity by more than a third in response to a growing demand for high-end hotel rooms in the city, in a significant expansion into a neighbouring property.
The 19th Century B-listed building is a jewel in Aberdeen’s built heritage, having been designed by the renowned architect Alexander Marshall McKenzie and bearing a distinctive granite façade.
The granite villas were acquired by the hotel owners and have been sympathetically interwoven into the fabric of the hotel, while carefully preserving the architectural and aesthetic integrity of the area.
The building work has taken 12 months to complete and has breathed new life into the building, which had lain empty for four years before being bought by The Chester Hotel.
The transformation is the ultimate in Scottish chic, exuding a relaxed feel with generously proportioned guest rooms, each one unique. There’s a mix of spaciousness, curious nooks and crannies and a smattering of refined period features complemented by exquisite soft furnishings, stylish wall art, and cutting-edge luxuries, like lighting and living flame fires controllable at the touch of a button, walk-in rainfall showers, and coffee machines.
Throughout the redevelopment, original features have been retained and refined, thanks to the work of specialist craftspeople, and all done within the exacting confines of listed building regulations.
The result is a visually striking transformation with many wow factors, like ornate cornicing, heritage windows, alcoves and recesses, and original fireplaces, with the new rooms reflecting the overall style of the luxury hotel.
The hotel’s expansion into 55-57 Queen’s Road, brings the overall number of rooms and suites up to 71, and is part of a wider redevelopment.
Earlier this year, the wraps came off the hotel’s new Granite Suite ballroom, which with space for up to 320 for dinner dances and conferences, is one of the biggest hotel event spaces in the city and surrounding area.
The hotel’s The Gallery bar has also recently opened. Couples, business travellers and locals mix in there with its dramatic décor, secluded booths, comfortable armchairs and lounge areas which include original paintings by Scottish artist John Byrne - representing one of the country’s largest private collections.
The Chester Hotel owner Graham Wood said it was pleasing that the hotel's redevelopment had reached another significant milestone to near completion.
He commented: “This has been a major investment for the hotel, and a massive investment for Aberdeen. No project of this magnitude will go without a hitch, and working within the confines of a listed property throws up its own peculiarities, but these have been overcome, and with impressive results.
“It has been an incredible opportunity to extend and increase our accommodation offering, creating stylish bedrooms with fabulous surrounds. The end result is true to the building’s own elegance and grandeur while exuding modern day glamour.”
Based at 55-63 Queen’s Road, Aberdeen, the luxurious The Chester Hotel holds a four star silver rating from the AA and its restaurant, IX Restaurant, holds two AA Rosettes. For further information, visit www.chester-hotel.com
