Glasgow hotels

Original features such as fireplaces and terrazzo flooring have been carefully restored, along with the facade of sailors and seaweed etched into Carrara marble above the entrance. It’s a history that flows all around, with decor inspired by 1920s cruise ships, and posters from the Anchor Line decorating the restaurant, where the menu includes Scottish scallops and truffle tortellini.
The Atlantic Bar & Brasserie, meanwhile, serves up French-accented dishes. It’s one of my favourites for the sense of independence: these are serviced apartments rather than traditional hotel rooms, which always makes me feel I’m a proper local for a night or two – though a concierge is available 24 hours to assist.
The blue-painted, open-plan bedrooms range in sizes – choose a penthouse for the balcony – making this a versatile space for all comers, within easy reach of the Gallery of Modern Art and Buchanan Street shops.

The walls of this centrally-located hotel are adorned with paintings by students from the Glasgow School of Art along with photographs of the city’s architecture and industrial heritage. Set on a quiet street close to the Riverside Museum and SSE Hydro venue, the building itself was one of Glasgow’s first power stations, in the days when power stations were beautiful Italianate creations.
Inside, ornate marble interiors are contrasted with neon-style lighting and vivid floral fabrics. Bedrooms have high ceilings and large windows offering cinematic views over the city.
When I chose to dine at Turbine 75, the onsite restaurant, I discovered that there’s plenty of Scottish produce on the menu, and the personable staff are a fount of local knowledge. One of the best value-for-money boutique hotels in Glasgow, with some of the best accessibility credentials in town.

This hotel opened in 1883 adjoining the station, and its guest book reads like a Who’s Who of the 20th century, featuring everyone from The Beatles to Nat King Cole, Mae West to Frank Sinatra. Over the decades its reputation faded, but in 2021 it reopened after a much-needed makeover.
Original details such as marble columns, wood paneling, and gold leaf remain, but bedrooms are now fresh and contemporary, with a blue-and-yellow color scheme and abstract artwork. Those famous guests, meanwhile, can be spotted in the stairwell, where the hotel’s portrait collection is located.
For a location with real character right at the heart of city life look no further: my favourite spot is the Champagne Bar, where I like to people-watch on the station concourse below while enjoying a platter of brioche sliders and a glass of fizz.

One of Glasgow’s smartest addresses, this hotel is set across five Victorian townhouses in the leafy West End neighborhood, home to an eclectic range of independent shops and cafés. I’ve been coming here since it was known as One Devonshire Place, Glasgow’s first boutique hotel.
A redesign in 2018 updated the decor, including floral wallpapers inspired by the nearby Botanic Gardens, but the old-fashioned luxury is still apparent. There are claw-footed tubs, writing desks, and mahogany four-posters in the bedrooms; kilted doormen to greet you; and beautiful stained-glass windows.
The menu dips into regional ingredients (I recommend the scallops from Mull and the Orkney crab) while the wine list is extensive – as you’d expect from the name. This is a hotel for stretching out and relaxing in – if you want to make an occasion of it, book one of the signature townhouse suites.

This innovative Dutch hotel group chose Glasgow for its first UK opening in 2010, landing with a bright pop of color next to the Theatre Royal in the northern part of the city center. Like other hotels in the group, this location has a flexible, fun lounge area that sprawls across the entire ground floor, resembling a Mondrian painting with islands of seating, bookshelves, and workspaces.
I enjoy the creative, youthful atmosphere when it’s busy, and the feeling of being able to just wander in and hang out with friends. There’s no formality or restaurant; instead, the canteen has grab-and-go snacks such as popcorn alongside pizza, shrimp laksa, and veggie gyozas, with Scottish ales and cocktails available at the bar.
The 198 bedrooms, by comparison, are small, identical, and pod-like, with the huge bed taking up most of the floorspace. It’s a hotel for hitting the ground running.

The only hotel in town with its own bowling alley, this shiny, modern building is in a league of its own. If you are a party of two or more, you won’t want to miss a bowling night. I can still vividly remember the neon-lit lanes and the interactive light show. After a good game, we enjoyed cocktails at the Vega restaurant – not to mention excellent views of Central Station – because budget hotels can be fun too.
Inspired by his love of first-class plane travel, the Yotel’s founder modeled the bedrooms on cabins. The rooms (13 of which are accessible) are cleverly designed so everything tucks away, with couches that turn into beds, and under-bed storage. Families may want to book a Triple Cabin, with an extra bunk bed, or the VIP Suite sleeping four. Keep an eye out for the themed monthly brunches.

Residing on one of the city’s rare leafy squares, this is a real game-changer for Glasgow: a beautifully restored Georgian building with light-filled, artfully designed public spaces. Not only does it feature one of the few swimming pools in town, along with a spa that draws on Scotland’s outdoor treasures for its signature treatments, but it also has its own private cinema. And, despite the classical columns, chandeliers, and grandiose architecture, this is a very relaxed place to be.
Bedrooms mix original features such as wood paneling and fireplaces with soft tweeds and grey leather. Head to the circular bar for an oyster-shell martini, a suitable aperitif before dining on Japanese-style mackerel, salmon crudo, and traditional Cullen skink (save space for the chocolate cremeux) at the seafood restaurant. In the morning, try my favorite activity of pedaling one of the hotel bikes around the square.

Sometimes you need to be in the right place at the right time, with enough space to stretch out. When I’m in town for a gig, I often make my base here: the location is great for the big music venues and exhibition center, as well as BBC Scotland. Also in its favor are the well-equipped gym, spa, and swimming pool – the latter a rarity in Glasgow.
The tartan checks, striped rugs, and leather armchairs are easy on the eye while the mainly local staff are friendly and outgoing. The pub-style dining room dishes up a familiar range of burgers, loaded fries, and fried spinach ravioli; I usually order a glass or two of Whispering Angel, which you can sip while taking in a tribute band at weekends.
There’s also plenty of space for families, with American-style double-double rooms. From here it’s a short walk into town along the Clyde.

For those who want the bars, cafés, and music venues of Glasgow’s Merchant City at their fingertips, this is a smart choice. A former printing house, it’s been craftily transformed into a budget boutique hotel with few frills but plenty of character, making it one of the most unique hotels in Glasgow.
The original brickwork survives, as do parts of the printing machinery, while bedrooms are arranged around a central atrium. Rooms are small but thoughtfully designed, with very comfortable beds, glass-walled wet rooms, large TVs, and inventive storage solutions (plenty of hooks but not many cupboards).
It’s not, perhaps, one for Beyoncé and her entourage, but this is a well-connected, friendly hotel for travelers who want to explore the city – the People’s Palace and River Clyde are both nearby, as is the station – at their own pace.

One of the top-rated hotels in Glasgow, set near lively Sauchiehall Street inside the square-set former Works and Pension building. Say hello to the rope-woven dog on the way in: McCulloch’s wife, Amanda, is responsible for the design, all exposed brickwork, retro photography, and atmospheric lighting – with a big-hitter cigar terrace and champagne room.
Bedrooms are furnished with soft, muted fabrics, framed musical scores, and writing desks for those who fancy getting creative themselves. The cocktail bar and grill are deservedly popular with locals, who order cocktails such as a Jackie Bird (banana-infused rum with pineapple and Campari) and favorites such as steak and salt-and-vinegar potatoes, and duck-leg bao buns.
If you favor a plant-based diet, rest assured that you will not get hungry. The charred cauliflower with black garlic and the gnocci with zucchini were a surprise for me. A grown-up but very affordable choice.