Once a place of ‘lavish’ bars and ‘abundance’ of amenities

The Treetops Hotel opened to much fanfare and the “melodious, exciting pop of Champagne” in 1964.

Advertised at its launch as Aberdeen’s newest luxury hotel, it boasted “lavish” lounge bars, first class catering and a luxurious ballroom.

It remained one of the most exciting places in the city for decades, with scores choosing it for glitzy and glamorous events of all kinds.

The Treetops was also a favourite of the oil and gas industry, with firms regularly paying for employees to spend the night there before making their way out to the North Sea.

Reporting its grand opening in April 1964, The Press and Journal described its “impressive hygiene” and “abundance of amenities” which were perfect for “a quiet read, rest, chat or tête-à-tête among the flowers”.

It said: “Cupid should have plenty of dart practice here, for the conservatory is easily reached from the ballroom and lounge.

“Just the kind of place to put a ring in a man’s voice.” The hotel also boasted that “several” of its 25 rooms had private bathrooms and their own radio and that residents could arrange for a portable television to be sent up from reception. Former hotel chain Stakis took over the facility in 1984, investing thousands of pounds in a refurbishment to give it a “fresh mantle of elegance.”

It matched its new “soothing rose-pink theme” with “restful tape music” piped in through the corridors.

The owners also kept up to date with the latest trends, installing a disco bar where residents could drink and dance in the same place and decking out rooms with Laura Ashley cushions and curtains.

The Treetops changed hands again in 1999 when the Stakis hotel portfolio was purchased by global chain Hilton. It later rebranded as a DoubleTree.

Its most recent refurbishment came in 2010 when £350,000 was invested in a big revamp.

The hotel’s new pool, photographed in 1986