Once a relatively run-down port city, Glasgow has been rejuvenated in recent years thanks to significant investment and an influx of new arrivals. Today it is a national cultural hub, home to distinguished institutions including the National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, as well as acclaimed museums and a thriving music scene. Furthermore, one constant throughout the city’s modern evolution has been its eye-catching Victorian and art nouveau architecture.
When it comes to accommodation in Glasgow, visitors nowadays are spoiled for choice, with everything from no-frills hostels and B&Bs through to the very pinnacle of luxury. If you’re seeking one of the city’s more upmarket options, then take a look at our pick below of Glasgow’s best 5-star and boutique hotels.
FROM £101/ NIGHT
If you want to be in the heart of the Glasgow action, this charming boutique hotel in the city’s trendy West End district would make for a good choice. Guest rooms are individually designed and come with a luxurious bed and a modern bathroom with a deep bath and large shower. There’s an on-site, oak-panelled bistro serving a mix of classic and modern dishes, many with a Scottish influence. A separate bar area offering a huge choice of whiskies and wines is an ideal spot for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap. Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens and Hyndland Rail Station are both a short walk away, and the city centre can be reached in under 10 minutes by car.
FROM £116/ NIGHT
Situated in the city centre overlooking a pretty patch of greenery called Blythswood Square, the Dakota combines a great location with some impressive amenities. Guest rooms come with a smart TV, free high-speed internet, and modern bathrooms with monsoon showers and bespoke toiletries. There’s a brasserie-style restaurant specialising in grilled meats and fish, and a separate bar with a luxurious Champagne Room and cigar Terrace. Notable nearby attractions include Kelvin Grove Art Gallery and Kings Theatre. Glasgow’s Central station is less than a mile away.
FROM £74/ NIGHT
Known for their affordable boutique hotels, citizenM’s Glasgow offering certainly meets that billing. Brightly decorated guest rooms feature free Wi-Fi, wall-to-wall windows, and an iPad mini, which guests can use to modify the in-room temperature, control the smart-TV and adapt the black-out curtains and blinds. Ensuite bathrooms come with a power rain shower and free toiletries. Elsewhere in the hotel, there’s a cocktail bar, a designer lobby, a stylish lounge area with a large-screen TV, and a 24-hour canteen. Glasgow Central Rail Station, the Buchanan Galleries and the Royal Concert Hall are all within 10 minutes’ walk.
FROM £83/ NIGHT
For a hotel with an interesting history, the Malmaison will certainly satisfy your whims. A former Greek Orthodox Church, it is now a stylish boutique hotel where religious icons have given way to pop art and graffiti frescoes. Elegant Art Deco guest rooms have ensuite bathrooms with power showers and toiletries, and there’s also free WiFi. A glass-roofed atrium between the original church and an extension houses an American style bar with neon signs, red bar stools, and a wall of aluminium beer barrels. There’s also an award winning brasserie-style restaurant helmed by a Michelin-starred chef. The city centre is a short walk away.
FROM £72/ NIGHT
Positioned in the heart of the city centre, this boutique-style hotel features spacious guest rooms with flat-screen TVs, and there are also suites with scenic views over the city. Notable hotel amenities include a relaxing lounge area where all-day food is available. Free WiFi is offered throughout the property, including in all rooms. A wide number of shops and theatres are easily reachable by foot, and Glasgow Central Station is just over a 5-minute walk away. For those arriving by car, the hotel also offers quick access to the M8 motorway.
FROM £90/ NIGHT
Nestled on a quiet street in the city centre, this boutique hotel is housed within an Italianate Palazzo-style sandstone building. A harmonious blend of old and new, it retains many of its original architectural features while offering a distinctive Glaswegian theme through portraits of Scottish poets, writers and musicians, and photographic essays of the city’s architectural and industrial heritage. The Sumptuous guest rooms have a flat-screen TV, quality Egyptian linens, a minibar and air conditioning. On site is also the acclaimed Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Bar and Grill Steakhouse, Bar and Grill. For culture vultures, the Gallery of Modern Art is a 10-minute walk away.
FROM £64/ NIGHT
This historic hotel, which has welcomed large numbers of celebrities down the years, is located at Glasgow Central station, making it an ideal choice for those arriving into the city by train. Stylish guest rooms all feature a flat-screen TV, a laptop safe and an iron. Hotel services and facilities include a highly regarded fine dining restaurant, a champagne bar with a striking domed ceiling and marble floor., 21 meetings rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property. Glasgow’s main shopping district is on the hotel’s doorstep and Princes Square, Argyll Arcade and St. Enoch Centre are all within a 5-minute walk.