Where To Stay Or Dine

Where to stay in Glasgow

Glasgow Central - 5 Star accommodation
Glasgow Central - Larger Hotels
Hotels near the SEC Centre
Glasgow Southside accommodation
Hotels near Glasgow Airport

Where to dine in Glasgow

Upmarket / Special Occasion
Vegan / Vegetarian or Dietary Constraints
More Casual dining - bistro or cafe

Abode

Set in a 19th century townhouse, this hotel is very centrally located. On Bath St, midway between Queen Street and Charing Cross rail stations and towards the northern edge of the city, it is close to theatres, shopping, galleries and is convenient for any type of city stay. The rooms are larger than average and their decor balances well both traditional and contemporary, warm and welcoming, Not the bland sameness of some larger chains here. The in house bar is well-stocked and the brasserie has a reasonably-priced menu (try the grilled sea bream in a shellfish broth - yum!) and wine list. My choice for couples amongst its peers.

One of the spacious rooms at the ABode Glasgow.

Kimpton Blythswood Square

Directly overlooking Blythswood Square, this landmark building was once the headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, giving the space a rich history. Its heritage exterior presents an imposing facade on the outside.

Inside, the spacious and quirky contemporary interior and award-winning wellness spa have all the modern comforts in which to unwind after a long day sightseeing.

Thinking of redeeming IHG Rewards? You will need (from) 45,000 points per night.  Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 225 per night (based on our valuation of USD 5 per thousand). 

Gorgeous lobby of of the Kimpton, Blythswood Square

Relax in one of the deluxe rooms of the Kimpton Blythswood Square .

Premier Suites Plus, George Square

Very centrally located on Queen Street almost opposite the Gallery of Modern Art.  Some apartments have living areas with a lovely aspect overlooking George Square, while for others (including the ones I have stayed in) they face west onto Queen Street. The latter ones have a long wall of large windows - loads of natural light - and on higher levels look onto rooftops and beyond. The rooms (while not as "grand" as some other venues) are light, bright and spacious and everything you need for self-catering is no further than the other side of George Square.

For morning croissants and the best coffee nearby, I  go to Costa on Royal Exchange Square to the right of the Gallery of Modern Art – you can be there and back, freshly-made coffees in hand, in less than 10 minutes.

My overall favourite for a city stay, for suites with a spacious light feel and very central location, unless seeking more traditional character, or "grandeur" of other options.

Some Premier Suites Plus rooms face George Square, while others face Queen Street (or this one - both).  All have a nice open, airy feeling

The Mews Luxury Apartment

An apartment with 3 double bedrooms, located on the prestigious and beautifully Victorian Park Circus, it is centrally located mid-way between the City and the West End's Byre's Road, making it an easy walk to Kelvingrove Park, Finnieston eateries and the Stand comedy club.

Ideal for families (especially with teenagers) or small groups, it is in a quieter area about 2 miles from George Square, yet still very close to the action.

Malmaison 

This funky hotel is centrally located midway between the M8 and George Square. Housed in what was once a Greek Orthodox church, its interior is, as they say "anything but orthodox". The colours are more alive than subdued, creating a pleasant vibe. Rooms are well appointed and have a luxury feel. It offers meeting rooms and caters for events (although smaller ones than the larger hotels. The brasserie styled restaurant serves traditional Scottish fare.

My pick of the boutique hotels.  Both Malmaison and Hotel du Vin give older buildings a new life as boutique hotels with brasseries. The results are a functional modernisation, yet enable the architecture to be preserved, and maintained for new generations to appreciate. I really like the architecture around Glasgow and appreciate how this City preserves its heritage, rather than development being able to make it seemingly insignificant.

15 Glasgow

A B&B set overlooking a quiet garden square, it features fireplaces and lots of natural light. Closer to town than the Alamo, they are a 10-minute walk along the edge of parkland apart from each other. Rooms are very nicely fitted out. The lower level rooms have a rear aspect, while levels 2 upwards overlook the residents' gardens opposite the front entrance. All have large ensuite bathrooms.

Alamo Guest House

An upmarket B&B set in a Victorian townhouse adjacent to Kelvingrove Park, overlooking tennis courts and bowling greens towards Kelvingrove Museum.. It is at most a 15-minute walk to Finnieston restaurants, Mitchell library, the University of Glasgow and the SEC Hydro. Rooms have lovely fittings and decor, with modern upmarket bathrooms.

Hilton Glasgow

Located at the western end of the city centre, near the M8 (easy access to the airport). For business travellers, this offers secretarial type services, conference facilities and has an executive lounge. Nice city views from some rooms and Two Fat ladies at the Buttery is just the other side of the M8.

Central Station is a 10-minute walk away and further on to George Square is another 5 minutes. The restaurants of Finnieston and the SECC are about 20 minutes away by foot. Rooms are pleasant and typical of a business-oriented hotel. Close to Charing Cross rail station.

Thinking of redeeming Hilton Honors? You will need (from) 24,000 points per night.  Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 144 per night (based on our valuation of USD 6 per thousand). 

For ideas on how to best use your points for a booking, check out our guide for how to best redeem Hilton Honors points.

Park Inn by Radisson  

This 3-star hotel is centrally located midway between the theatres to the north, Central Station and the financial district to the south, the M8 to the west and George Square / Queen St station to the east. Everything in the city seems no more than a 5 - 10 minute walk away. Rooms are of two sizes (standard and superior), comfortable and clean. A fitness centre is in-house, as are meeting rooms, but no large conference facilities. A pleasant buffet breakfast. Overall, a little tired, but in a great location.

For an awards stay, you'll need 38,000 Radisson Rewards per night.  Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 152 per night (based on our valuation of USD 4 per thousand).

Radisson Blu (44,000 Radisson Rewards p/n) 

More upmarket and with a different vibe to its cousin the Radisson Red, this modern hotel is ideally located on Argyle Rd, near Central Station. Rooms are all of similar size, but with varying levels of fit-out and decor.

Conference facilities are available and guests have access to a neighbouring fitness centre.

For an awards night here, you'll need 44,000 Radisson Rewards. Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 176 per night (based on our valuation of USD 4 per thousand).

Dakota Glasgow

Not as close to the M8 as the Hilton Glasgow or Marriott Glasgow, the hotel is still located towards the western/business part of the city centre. Rooms are business-like in style, yet more welcoming than its peers. Windows are almost floor-to-ceiling, providing a lot of natural light. Guests have access to a neighbouring fitness centre. The in-house grill specialises in delicious steak, but there is a dedicated vegetarian menu too.  

Glasgow Marriott 

In a similar location to the Hilton Glasgow, slightly closer to the Clyde. The hotel features a leisure club with an indoor pool, gym and sauna. Packages are offered for tea and dual spa treatments, which are nice for a couple. The rooms are (to my taste) nicer than those of the Hilton, but similarly business-like in style. It also has a selection of "family rooms". Easy access to the M8 motorway and close to Charing Cross rail station. Conference facilities are also good.

I have used and can highly recommend the spa facilities (good for recovery from jet-lag), followed by a dip in the indoor pool afterwards.

For an awards night here during standard pricing, Marriott Bonvoy members will need 25,000 points. Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 176 per night (based on our valuation of USD 8 per thousand).  For other ideas, check out our guide for how to best redeem Bonvoy points.

This is a Marriott Category 4 property

For an awards night here during standard pricing, Marriott Bonvoy members will need 25,000 points. Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 176 per night (based on our valuation of USD 8 per thousand).  

For other ideas, check out our guide for how to best redeem Bonvoy points.

Millennium Hotel Glasgow (MyMillennium)

This hotel is located in the middle of Glasgow, overlooking George Square. Housed in a Georgian building this is the perfect location for a city stay. Rooms are all of similar size, but with varying levels of fit-out and decor. Compared to other hotels, the rooms are a little more compact - this may not be important to everyone (after all you shouldn't be spending too much time in your room).

Its brasserie is a nice modern restaurant, serving good Scottish fare.

For ideas on how to best use your points for a booking, check out our guide for ideas on how to best redeem MyMillennium points.

CitizenM

Located towards the northern end of the city, near the concert hall and theatres. This is a modern, funky vibrant hotel, close to the action, but without the peak-hour bustle near the train stations. Rooms can be on the smaller side, but are very comfortable and make good use of technology. Dining is in CanteenM, which is casual, friendly and reasonably priced. Meeting rooms are available and offer good AV facilities.

Modern, good value, funky and will put a smile on your face.

Oh, and if your'e needing a quick fix of sport, the Walkabout Bar (Australian bar showing live sport) is only a block away...

Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor

It is hard to imagine a better location in the West End. This hotel overlooks the Glasgow Botanic Gardens and is just across Byres Road from the Òran Mór. Accessible rooms are available and feature full height ceilings and tall, arched windows. Room decor is smart and contemporary. Not as bland as some of the more business-oriented options in the centre of town. The inhouse Bo'vine Meat and Wine restaurant is a great steakhouse with an intimate ambiance enhanced by the booth settings. The terrace is a more relaxed bistro in a light-filled setting that overlooks the Botanic Gardens.

If looking outside for good coffee and breakfasts nearby, try Papercup on Great Western Road. Alternatively, a more health-focussed option is Roots, Fruits & Flowers, a health-food shop with a café.

Thinking of redeeming Hilton Honors for your stay? You will need (from) 24,000 points per night.  Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 144 per night (based on our valuation of USD 6 per thousand). 

For other ideas, check out our guide for how to best redeem Hilton Honors points.

Hotel du Vin Glasgow

Housed in a Victorian terrace and located near the corner of Hyndland and Great Western Roads, this stately hotel has an olde world charm with highlights of colour. Rooms are luxurious, with Egyptian linen and bathrooms with deep baths for a long relaxing soak. There are no lifts, so accessibility will require some planning (eg request a ground floor room).

The bistro is formally decorated with oak panels and chandeliers and the menu has a french orientation. Priced at a slight premium, it nevertheless represents value for a special occasion stay in Glasgow's West End.

To earn your morning caffeine fix, from Hotel du Vin, a walk down Hyndland Road will take you to two cafés favoured by locals. The Jelly Hill Cafe Bar is on Hyndland Road, while the Hyndland Fox is around the corner in Clarence Street.

Crowne Plaza

This upmarket business hotel is right next to the SECC, making it ideally located for both large conferences and also concert-goers. Rooms are comfortable and the decor is modern yet unobtrusive and of a good quality. The Mariner Bar and Lounge is a relaxed area with enormous windows, overlooking the River Clyde - perfect for light meals or pre-concert drinks.

The bars and restaurants of Finnieston are a brief taxi ride away.

Folk with special needs (vision, hearing or mobility) are specifically catered for, but the number of rooms is limited, so book early.

Thinking of redeeming IHG Rewards? You will need (from) 30,000 points per night.  Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 150 per night (based on our valuation of USD 5 per thousand).

Radisson Red

Near Squinty Bridge and the SSE Hydro, but set back from the River Clyde lies this modern funky hotel. Rooms are larger than average and walls are decorated with stencils, rather than being plain. Technology is used well throughout the hotel. Family stays are catered for by connecting rooms. The OUIBar & KTCHN provides lighter meals in a modern, urban cafe setting and the bars and restaurants of Finnieston are a brief taxi ride away (the Hilton's Terrace is a block away).

My choice in this location, unless you have special needs, in which case Crowne Plaza would be my choice.

For an awards night here, you'll need 44,000 Radisson Rewards. Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 176 per night (based on our valuation of USD 4 per thousand).

Hilton Garden Inn

Overlooking the River Clyde, near Squinty Bridge and the SSE Hydro, lies this business-oriented hotel. Some rooms are little compact, however others have river views. There are specific accessible rooms available.

The restaurants and lounge have a more vibrant decor than the rooms. The menu is nice and not over-priced. There is an outdoor terrace overlooking the river for the warmer months, where the Ploughman's Board and Mixed Olives would be perfect with your preferred white wine.

To redeem Hilton Honors for your stay, you will need (from) 26,000 points per night.  Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 156 per night (based on our valuation of USD 6 per thousand). 

For other ideas, check out our guide for how to best redeem Hilton Honors points.

Sherbrooke Castle Hotel (4*)

This upscale, boutique hotel occupies an elevated red sandstone 19th century mansion with landscaped gardens in the leafy suburb of Pollokshields West. The decor is modern with clean lines and traditional highlights. Smaller conference facilities are available. Rooms are larger than average and comfortable. Nearby Dunbreck rail station is 5 minutes away. Trains run regularly, taking you into Central Station in approx 10 minutes. While this is a quiet location, a 10 minute bus trip along nearby Nithsdale Rd takes you to the bars and restaurants of Strathbungo. Ideal if you seek a convenient but quiet location away from the city centre and West End.

Number 10 Hotel (4*)

This hotel has a very traditional feel, from the blonde sandstone facade of the Victorian building to the larger than average size rooms with high ceilings and luxurious fittings. Rooms overlook either Queens park to the front or the hotel's gardens to the rear. Dining is very good, modern in style, yet still set within the traditional decor. Ideal for a summer stay, to make the most of the gardens (and sunny rooms). and nearby Queens Park.

Strathbungo and Queens Park rail station (12 minutes to Central Station) are both a 10 minute walk away. Hampden Park is even closer but in the opposite direction.

Reasonably priced, so good value.

Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport

Located at the airport, this larger hotel is a short distance (a 4 minute walk) from the main terminal, has a business centre and smaller conference facilities. Rooms are compact, but comfortable and nicely furnished.

Connecting rooms, ideal for families, are available. Food in the bistro is nice and includes a full Scottish cooked breakfast for a hearty start to your day. Coffee served is sourced from Starbucks.

Thinking of redeeming IHG Rewards? You will need (from) 25,000 points per night.  Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 125 per night (based on our valuation of USD 5 per thousand).

Holiday Inn Express

A smaller and more casual hotel, this is located slightly further away from the main terminal than its sibling (a 7 minute walk as it is on the other side of the carpark). Family rooms are available.

For this one you will also need (from) 25,000 points per night for an awards stay. Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 125 per night (based on our valuation of USD 5 per thousand).

Courtyard by Marriott (Marriott Category 2) 

Well known as a business-oriented chain Marriott offers an attractive package. The hotel is located further from the main terminal, on the other side of the M8 motorway. The rooms are a good size. Decor is pleasant and unobtrusive. There is an in-house fitness centre.

Accessibility provided at the hotel for folk with impaired mobility seems better than that offered by the Holiday Inns. However the hotel does not provide a shuttle service from the airport terminal - instead you'll face an approx £7 fare by taxi .

If you are age 62 or over, Marriott offers a seniors discount of 15% which makes stays very good value.

My preferred choice at Glasgow Airport. The price saving compared to the Holiday Inns generally more than compensates for the taxi fare to get here.

For an awards night here during standard pricing, Marriott Bonvoy members will need 12,500 points. Use your points if the cash price is more than USD 100 per night (based on our valuation of USD 8 per thousand). 

For ideas on how to best use your points for a booking, check out our guide for how to best redeem Bonvoy points.