Aberdeen's hotel scene delivers serious conference capacity, with The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa leading at 500 theatre-style in their Grand Ballroom, followed by Sandman Signature's Robert Gordon Ballroom hosting 400 delegates. The Aberdeen Altens Hotel's Rubislaw Suite and Aberdeen Douglas Hotel's Grand Ballroom both accommodate 400 theatre-style, while Leonardo Hotel at the airport offers similar scale.
For mid-size conferences, The Chester Hotel's Granite Suite seats 450, making it popular for energy sector events requiring premium finish alongside capacity. These larger spaces typically divide into smaller breakout rooms, with most offering dedicated conference entrances and pre-function areas for networking.
Crowne Plaza Aberdeen Airport provides the most seamless connection with a covered walkway direct to the terminal, plus 10 daylight meeting rooms handling up to 280 delegates. Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Aberdeen Airport sits minutes from the terminal with their ballroom accommodating 400, while Hilton Aberdeen TECA connects to both the airport and P&J Live arena complex.
For smaller airport meetings, Courtyard by Marriott publishes a day work package from £16.95 per person, while Moxy Aberdeen Airport offers a compact 6-person boardroom. The recently reopened Aberdeen Dyce Hotel brings 8 refreshed meeting rooms back to the airport district, with the Pitmedden Suite handling up to 400 theatre-style.
Aberdeen hotel meeting rooms range from £80 per day for small boardrooms at Station Hotel to £2,500 for premium ballrooms at properties like The Chester Hotel. Day delegate rates typically run £25-£45pp at business hotels like Park Inn by Radisson, climbing to £55-£85pp at luxury properties such as The Marcliffe.
Budget-conscious options include Atholl Hotel publishing transparent DDR at £39pp for 8-hour packages, while Village Hotel Aberdeen offers online hourly booking for smaller spaces. Airport hotels generally price mid-range at £30-£55pp DDR, with venues like Leonardo near TECA showing spaces from £281/day for their Bydand room through to £612/day for the Premier Suite.
Leonardo Hotel Aberdeen sits inside Union Square with direct covered access to the station, offering 5-6 refurbished meeting rooms up to 80 theatre. Station Hotel Aberdeen faces the station entrance across Guild Street, with 7 spaces including their 200-capacity Ballroom, publishing room hire from £80 upwards.
Aberdeen Douglas Hotel in the Merchant Quarter provides a 5-7 minute walk from the station with their Grand Ballroom hosting 400. Park Inn by Radisson on Justice Mill Lane takes 10-12 minutes on foot, offering 8 flexible rooms with the Lennox Suite accommodating 200 delegates. These central options work particularly well for delegates arriving by train from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
The Chester Hotel stands out with its design-led meeting wing featuring a separate entrance and bar, plus premium finishes throughout their Granite Suite. Palm Court Hotel combines modernised Hudson and Sanderson rooms with a 130-capacity Whisky Bar for memorable evening receptions.
The Craighaar Hotel near the airport offers their characterful Library for 40 guests alongside the contemporary Donside Suite. For something different, Aberdeen Northern Hotel features a violin-shaped Art Deco ballroom hosting 200, while Macdonald Norwood Hall provides a country-house atmosphere within city limits, with the divisible Balmoral Suite set in period surroundings.
Aberdeen's booking patterns follow energy sector rhythms, with 6-8 weeks advance booking essential during major offshore events like Offshore Europe or SPE conferences. The autumn conference season from September through November sees highest demand, particularly for larger suites at properties like Sandman Signature and The Marcliffe.
Summer months offer more flexibility and potential negotiation on rates, though avoid Scottish school holidays when hotels fill with leisure guests. Airport hotels maintain steadier occupancy year-round due to fly-in meetings, so Crowne Plaza and Hilton TECA often need 4-6 weeks notice. Smaller boardrooms at venues like Aloft TECA or Village Hotel Aberdeen can sometimes accommodate last-minute requests through their online booking systems.
Leonardo Hotel & Conference Venue Aberdeen Airport leads with 300 parking bays, essential for large conferences. The Aberdeen Altens Hotel in south Aberdeen provides extensive free parking alongside their 12-room meeting suite, while Macdonald Norwood Hall in Pitfodels combines ample parking with tranquil grounds.
City centre options with parking include Sandman Signature offering limited spaces in their landmark building, though delegates often use nearby NCP car parks. West end properties like The Chester Hotel and Atholl Hotel provide on-site parking away from city centre restrictions. Village Hotel Aberdeen at Prime Four business park includes complimentary parking as standard, making it popular for training days where attendees drive from across Aberdeenshire.
Most Aberdeen hotel meeting venues provide comprehensive catering, with Sandman Signature offering banqueting at £52.50pp for their events packages. The Chester Hotel leverages their strong F&B reputation for premium working lunches and private dining, while The Marcliffe delivers five-star service with menus tailored to executive tastes.
Budget options include Station Hotel's Essential Meetings package for groups up to 12, and Courtyard by Marriott's day work package from £16.95pp including refreshments. Several venues like Village Hotel Aberdeen feature on-site Starbucks for informal break areas, while Hilton Aberdeen TECA provides dedicated barista stations in their conference zones. Properties near the airport typically offer grab-and-go options for time-pressed delegates between flights.
Park Inn by Radisson excels for training with 8 air-conditioned rooms, flexible layouts, and a practical city centre location. Village Hotel Aberdeen at Prime Four provides their Inspiration Suite for 200 with modern AV and online booking, plus their hub café creates an informal learning environment.
The Aberdeen Altens Hotel's 12-room setup allows multiple syndicate sessions, while Leonardo Hotel near Union Square offers 5-6 daylight rooms with easy rail access for attendees. For residential training, Crowne Plaza Aberdeen Airport provides 10 rooms with natural light plus accommodation, while Station Hotel publishes transparent pricing making budget planning straightforward for multi-day programs.
Leading venues like The Chester Hotel and Sandman Signature include built-in AV systems with ceiling-mounted projectors, wireless presentation tools, and dedicated technical support. Hilton Aberdeen TECA connects to P&J Live's production capabilities for hybrid events, while newer properties like Aloft Aberdeen feature plug-and-play Tactic rooms with modular smart furniture.
Standard provision across most Aberdeen hotels includes complimentary Wi-Fi (speeds vary), basic projection, and flipcharts, though confirming bandwidth for video conferencing remains essential. Properties catering to oil and gas clients, particularly The Marcliffe and Crowne Plaza Airport, typically offer enhanced connectivity and video conferencing facilities. Budget venues like Atholl Hotel provide functional basics, with external AV hire easily arranged through local suppliers.