Words by Richard Jones
Who doesn’t love a city break? A long weekend away with your loved ones exploring somewhere new, taking in a bit of culture and eating your bodyweight in delicious local food. With its thriving arts scene, lively bars and restaurants, beautiful Victorian architecture and world-class sporting events, Glasgow is fast becoming one of the UK’s most popular short-break destinations.
But where is the best place to stay if you’re out of town and stopping over in the Dear Green Place?
Location
As is the case with most cities, hotels in the centre of Glasgow can be hit and miss. Those that are well-located tend to be basic and overpriced, and if you are looking for a touch of opulence, you usually have to go further afield. But you don’t have to sacrifice location for luxury, or vice versa at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.
Positioned on Argyle Street adjacent to the Central Station tunnel, within walking distance of the city centre pubs, clubs and concert halls, as well shopping and food district Buchanan Street, it may not be in the most scenic spot, but it is certainly convenient. It is an ideal base from which to explore the city on foot, by car (discounted NCP parking is available for £15 per night), or by public transport.
Hotel
There are plenty of Radisson Blu hotels worldwide (over 400 of them in more than 70 countries), but you’ll be pushed to find one as stylish and welcoming as the six-storey Glasgow property. Designed by award-winning Glasgow architects Murray and Dunlop and originally opened in 2002, its green copper wing across the entrance is now a long-standing landmark in the city.
The reception area, housed in a stunning atrium with wall-to-ceiling windows, exudes sophistication, while there was a fun Moet & Chandon display which was popular with my Insta-mad kids. The upper floors are light and bright, decorated in soft colours in a Scandinavian minimalist style, while there are conference and events suites, including a large auditorium with dance floor for business guests.
Room
There are 247 rooms in four categories – standard, premium, junior suites and corner suites. We stayed in the hotel’s family friendly apartment with two double beds, a living room and a dining room, two bathrooms, a w/c and heated floors.
There was plenty of room for the four of us to spread out, with four flatscreen TVs, a minibar, and two worktops on which to make hot drinks with a kettle and Nespresso machine. The Tunnock’s Caramel wafer biscuits were also a nice touch, and there are complimentary bottles of still and sparkling water scattered around the rooms. The pièce de résistance was the full decorated Christmas tree in the suite itself.
Food and drink
The stylist Grahamston Kitchen (named after the ‘forgotten’ village that once stood where Central Station was built) offers Scottish fare with an artisan twist, and includes a range of signature dishes with meat from John Wallace Butcher Shoppe. We were treated to items from their sumptuous festive menu, with smoked salmon and prawn mousse and chicken parfait with thyme butter for starters, and turkey roulade with prosciutto and sage and onion stuffing, and slow braised beef with duck fat potatoes for mains.
For dessert, there was a choice of Christmas pudding with brandy crème anglaise, or white chocolate and toffee cheesecake with mulled wine berries. Before or after dinner, the adjacent glass-fronted Lobby Bar serves zingy cocktails, coffees and snacks, and stays open late for residents. In the mornings, there is a large breakfast selection priced at just £12.95 per person. The hot dishes includes poached smoked Scottish haddock, and shakshuka in a spiced tomato sauce. There are also plenty of gluten-free options.
Service
While the food and drink is first class, and the property is spectacular, what makes the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow stand out from its competitors is its first-class hospitality. The cheery and chatty Glaswegian staff are both helpful and efficient, and happy to share their knowledge of the city with visitors. None more so than the food and beverage director Garry McBride, who was happy to share stories from his time working alongside the royals and Sir David Attenborough during the COP 26 summit in Glasgow. He also gave us the inside track on the hotel’s continuing renovations, including its new multi-million-pound swimming pool, and even gave the kids some Irn-Bru lip balm and soap, as a proper Scottish welcome.
In a nutshell
Hotel chains tend to be samey, but Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow has the right level of character to make it stand out from the crowd. It is one of the city’s coolest hotels and I would have no hesitation recommending this particular bolt from the Blu to anyone visiting the city for business or fun.
Factbox
Address: 301 Argyle St, Glasgow G2 8DL
Phone: 0141 204 3333
Website: radissonhotels.com
Hotel photography courtesy of Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.
Things to do in Glasgow in 2024
Museums and galleries
The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is currently home to the Stage and Screen: Designs from the James L Gordon Collection which features sets and costumes from 20th-century British theatre productions. Meanwhile, at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, there is a major exhibition by artist duo Beagles and Ramsay. At Glasgow Police Museum, you can find out more about Britain’s first police force from 1779-1975.
Outdoor spaces
Wander through 50 acres of leafy parkland in the heart of the West End at Glasgow Botanic Gardens, and visit Kibble Palace, a magnificent wrought iron-framed Victorian glasshouse, featuring fine marble statues surrounded by flowers, palms and ferns. Spanning over 360 acres, Pollok Country Park, with its herds of Highland cattle, offers a natural escape on the southern outskirts of the city. The People’s Palace in the historic Glasgow Green area tells the story of city and its people through a wealth of historic artefacts.
Music and theatre
Join journalist Fiona Shepherd or one of her fellow aficionados on one of Glasgow Music City Tours. Along the way, set foot in hallowed venues where iconic bands, DJs and other great artists cut their teeth, from the legendary Barrowland Ballroom to King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. From 18 January to 4 February, the world-renowned Celtic Connections festival will once again light up stages, venues and dark winter nights in the UNESCO City of Music.
Food and drink
Part of the distinctive Templeton on the Green, West Brewery creates German-inspired beers with a unique Glasgow flavour. Tuck into currywurst, wiener schnitzel or burgers in the restaurant. Beer fans should be sure to sample a locally-produced pint from Drygate Brewery, Clockwork Beer Co and the Kelburn Brewing Co, among others. From January, the new-look Six by Nico new look Six by Nico will be serving it’s tasting menus from its new home on Albion Street.
Sport
There will be Dockyard Social Six Nations Fanzones dotted around the city centre when the rugby union spectacular kicks off on the first week in February. The world’s leading darts players, including the sport’s newest star Luke Littler, will return to Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on February 15 for the Premier League, while the World Indoor Athletics Championships take place at Emirates Arena from 1-3 March.
For more ideas on what to do in Glasgow, go to visitscotland.com.
