After a summer of operating an exclusively alfresco dining experience, serving more than 15,500 diners and more than 400 diners on many days, The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen is moving indoors.
Prior to the initial lockdown, the hotel served an average of 120 diners each day.
From Monday 28 September, diners can book tables indoors for both dining and drinks. The gallery bar and restaurant will reopen for the first time since Friday 20 March.
One marquee will remain at the front of the hotel along with five of the dining domes which have attracted interest from around the globe.
General manager Stephen Gow says, “It’s been quite an achievement, for and a lot of hard work by, our whole team to turn our hotel inside out for the summer.
“We started with one marquee, which quickly doubled and we’re ending September with four marquees. We wanted to reassure our guests with all of our safety measures, and many of our guests told us they felt particularly safe as we were operating alfresco.
“We opted to remain in the marquees, long after the regulations allowed us to move back indoors.
“However, as autumn approaches, the time is right for us to open up The Gallery bar and restaurant again, although we will retain one of out marquees for those who would still prefer to be in a heated, well ventilated alfresco space.”
The hotel will change its menu, introducing some autumn flavours and some of the specials which have been particularly popular over the summer months such as lobster Thermador and mince and potatoes.
The hotel will have one menu throughout all of its dining areas.
The autumn menu will be available from 12noon with last orders at 8pm to allow for closing at 10pm in line with the Scottish Government curfew.
“We ask our guests to book online as this ensures we capture track and trace information and that we keep this secure.
“It will be a very different experience when we move indoors, and the absence of music will be more noticeable inside than it was in the outdoor marquees.
“It’s important that we and out guests continue to work together to keep everyone safe.”
The Chester Hotel, in Queen’s Road is Aberdeen’s only AA four silver star hotel.
More about the hotel can be found at www.chester-hotel.com where the alfresco tables can also be booked once a date for reopening has been confirmed by the Scottish Government.
