Latest news with #KimptonBlythswood
Sunday Post
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sunday Post
Travel: G&Ts and glamour on a girls' work trip to Kimpton Blythswood Square
Get a weekly round-up of stories from The Sunday Post: Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter. Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up I challenge anyone to name a better feeling than hearing the words 'we have upgraded you to a suite' at a reception desk. Especially in Glasgow's only five-star hotel. Standing in the lobby of Kimpton Blythswood Square, black and white marble tiles beneath my feet and crystal chandelier drooping above a dark grand piano to my left, I was already feeling pretty fancy. I politely declined the offer of a concierge taking my battered backpack upstairs to try and maintain that aura. My friend Julia and I looked at each other as we selected the top floor in the lift and headed up, not exactly sure what we were about to walk into. I can honestly say I have never seen a hotel room like it. One wall of the suite was made entirely of windows, with a view out onto a sprawling balcony and the city beyond. Waiting for us were all the makings of a Glaswegin G&T, which we assembled before continuing to explore. © Supplied by Kimpton Blythswood S We moved through the large seating area, along the windows and onto the bedroom, passing the black marble bathroom between. The balcony had not one, but two seating areas, the TV was hidden in the foot of the bed and the bubble bath was primed and ready to be poured into the huge tub. Though everything screamed luxury, it also felt homely. I would quite happily have moved in. Julia and I were in Glasgow for a big awards ceremony, taking advantage of the occasion to have a bit of a girly sleepover. Of course, part of the fun of going to an event is getting ready with friends. We sipped our G&Ts in front of the huge bathroom mirror, slightly ruining the vibe by scattering our make-up everywhere, and turned the corridor between the rooms into a catwalk as we finalised outfit choices. © Supplied by Kimpton Blythswood S While we were out, we took great pride in telling people where we were staying, and – a tad boastfully – showing off pictures of our suite. We got back late, but still with plenty of time to have the genius idea of ordering room service breakfast for the following morning. After a glorious sleep, we started the day in the only way you should after a late night: in the spa. Right on the bottom floor of the hotel, it felt a little like we were going down to another world; one of ultimate calm. Used to spas with a pool, sauna and steam room at best, maybe a jacuzzi if lucky, I couldn't believe how many things there were to do. It was almost like the most tranquil of water parks. The pool had a dark section, with stars on the ceiling mimicking the night sky. There were multiple saunas, one that was raised above the pool so you could sit inside and watch others swim. We didn't last long in the snow shower but it was fun to try, and the clarifying air of the Himalayan salt room really cleared us out. I think the tepidarium was my favourite area, with the heated marble loungers hard to leave. © Supplied by Kimpton Blythswood S Just as we had planned, breakfast arrived in our room as we did. We had ordered an array of fruit, yoghurt, pastries, tea and coffee, which were delivered on a tray for us to enjoy. Though we had a lot of fun on our trip, we were also there for work, so this was very convenient to give us time to catch up on emails. Continuing on the work theme, the hotel's gorgeous Iasg restaurant is the perfect place for meetings, which we had set up for the morning. We nattered over coffee, and it was lovely to be able to do that in the peace of the hotel rather than having to rush out into the city. Before heading for our respective trains home, we decided we had to try out some of the dishes on Iasg's new menu. The restaurant space itself is so stylish, with a 360 bar in the centre and black and white flooring tiles carrying through from the lobby. I sent photos to my boyfriend in the hopes we could take inspiration during our house renovations. © Supplied by Kimpton Blythswood S Luckily, both Julia and I are the kind of people who enjoy ordering a little bit of everything to share. We opted for the seared scallops, beef carpaccio, Shetland mussels and burrata, tucking in and mixing and matching. Everything was delicious, championing Scottish produce to the max, but our standouts were definitely the scallops and carpaccio. We had mocktails on the side because that felt like a necessary addition to finish off our girly sleepover. And, why not? There are cheaper hotel options in the city, but if you want a guaranteed treat Blythswood Square will deliver on all levels. The decor is gorgeous and you are made to feel special – even if your backpack is a little battered. From the calming spa and branded robes to the balcony views and delicious food, I will be dreaming about my next sleepover. © Supplied by Kimpton Blythswood S Factfile Rooms in Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa start from £190 for bed and breakfast. For more information, go to P.S. Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa has been a prestigious address since the early 19th century. It boasts 114 rooms and suites, ranging from double and twin rooms right up to a new two-bedroom penthouse. The hotel is around a 10-minute walk from Glasgow's Central Station, and not much further from Queen Street, so it's an easy option even if you are on a quick trip to the city.
The Independent
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
The best hotels in Glasgow for boutique stays with fine heritage
Glasgow receives a fraction of Edinburgh's visitor numbers yet packs in just as much cultural capital. Its architecture spans the Gothic Glasgow Cathedral and the Art Nouveau edifices of Charles Rennie Mackintosh; its museums include the imposing Baroque of Kelvingrove Gallery and the internationally important Burrell Collection. Music fans dream of treading the sprung dancefloor of the Barrowland Ballroom, or celebrating Scotland 's folk scene at Celtic Connections festival. The food, too, is not the deep-fried fare you'd expect: these days it's less munchie box, more Michelin-starred dining. Until recently, Glasgow's accommodation reflected its status as Scotland's largest economy: sterile, multinational chain hotels meant a stay here was more business than pleasure. Thankfully, that's now changed: boutique brands and independent hoteliers have moved in, bringing new life to neglected tenements or heritage buildings. Whether your taste is for sybaritic spas, tartan-drenched Scottishness or a family-run restaurant with rooms, there's much to choose from in the Dear Green Place. Best hotels in Glasgow 2025 1. Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa What is arguably Glasgow's most luxurious five-star hotel sits in an ideal spot west of the city centre – just minutes from Kelvingrove Park, indie venue King Tut's Wah Wah Hut and several theatres. Behind the Georgian facade, you'll find Scandi-chic rooms: cool grey furnishings, marble bathrooms and tufted headboards. Restaurant Iasg (from the Gaelic for 'fish') serves up Shetland mussels and Cumbrae oysters. But the biggest draw is the Hebrides-inspired spa: there's an array of therapy pools, a frigid 'snow shower' and ice fountain to boost circulation, and treatments using seaweed skincare products from Stornoway-based brand Ishga. 2. Celentano's hotel Restaurants with rooms are usually reserved for rural areas, but Celentano's brings this intimate, inn-like experience to the big city. You'll want to eat at their Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant most nights: the smoked cod doughnuts might be the best thing you'll try in Glasgow. There are eight individually styled bedrooms, to which restaurant staff bring a breakfast of fresh sourdough, seasonal compote and more every morning. The East End location is excellent, right next to Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, as well as the underrated Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum. 3. One Devonshire Gardens by Hotel du Vin Great West End hotels are relatively rare, so this is one to bookmark if you're keen to be near the Botanic Gardens and the much-loved 111 by Modou restaurant. Although, as befits the Hotel du Vin brand, there's a highly regarded restaurant right here, supplying artful Scottish-French plates and access to an extensive wine cellar. Room decor is sensitive to the building's Victorian history; florals, vintage dark-wood furniture and original art. The number of bay windows apparently increases with each price band. Address: 1 Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow G12 0UX 4. House of Gods hotel It's not for everyone. But for a few people, it'll be perfect. Maximalist excess is this hotel's modus operandi: rooms overflow with velvet drapes, animal print, brass and leather. It's overwhelmingly pitched at couples, with packages such as 'Treat Me Like I'm Famous' adding a VIP rider with golden rose petals, balloons, Prosecco, cocktails and a mimosa breakfast. The assumption appears to be that you won't leave your room – but if you do, you'll find the peerless Merchant City cocktail scene right outside, with The Amsterdam and The Absent Ear, two of the city's best bars, just two moments away. 5. The Address hotel This four-star hotel is the address for city-centre shopping – a short hop from 'style mile' Buchanan Street, and a few minutes from both major train stations if you want to pop over to Edinburgh for the day. Befitting the fashionable location, rooms are all mid-century lines, warm tones and retro-print curtains. Complement your retail therapy with holistic therapy in the wellness suite, which has heated loungers, and a well-appointed gym and a sauna with a pink Himalayan salt wall. Casual dining restaurant NORTH serves elevated pub grub; try the haggis bonbons or black pudding sausage roll. 6. The Social Hub Glasgow hotel When Glasgow's The Social Hub opened in Merchant City in 2024, it was the first UK outpost of the B Corp hotel group, founded in the Netherlands by Edinburgh man Charlie MacGregor. It's particularly suited to solo travellers, with a full calendar of ice-breaking events: there are exercise classes, cookery workshops with Glasgow chefs, and foodie pop-ups from local spots such as El Perro Negro. Indeed, there's little reason to leave: there's a gym, a restaurant, and a coworking space, plus clean-lined rooms with dedicated workspaces. A rooftop bar is due to open later in 2025. 7. Native Glasgow hotel Could this be the best view in Glasgow? The penthouse rooms of this marvellous heritage hotel look right onto George Square and the City Chambers, the interiors of which famously use more marble than the Vatican. Native Glasgow was formerly the headquarters of the Anchor Line Shipping Company; the Art Deco exterior retains its shell details and nautical emblems, from which the 1920s-themed interiors take inspiration. This concept reaches its peak in the Anchor Line Restaurant & Bar, which serves Scottish seafood and creative, Prohibition-inspired cocktails in a speakeasy-style space. 8. The Pipers' Tryst hotel For something a little different, book into a room above the (thankfully soundproofed) National Piping Centre. From the welcome single-malt whisky to the tartan-swaddled rooms, this is about as Scottish as you can get. The 'Pipe Major's Breakfast' uses smoked salmon and haddock from Glasgow-based fishmonger The Fish People. Plan to spend at least an hour in the museum, which narrates the long and complex history of the bagpipes in Scotland and beyond. Guided tours with a piper run on Fridays and Saturdays throughout summer and include a brief lesson on a chanter (the precursor to a full set of pipes). 9. Dakota Glasgow hotel The Dakota brand was founded by the late, great Glasgow hotelier Ken McCulloch (who also founded Malmaison), and aims to offer premium stays at an affordable price point. The Glasgow branch certainly delivers: all the vintage-inspired rooms include Sky TV and Chromecast, plus complimentary access to a nearby gym. The swish Jack's Bar serves craft cocktails inspired by notable Scottish characters, and the Grill restaurant has a crowd-pleasing pan-European menu. The location's not bad, either in the west of the city centre, near the Glasgow Film Theatre and a short walk from Kelvingrove Park. Address: 179 W Regent St, Glasgow G2 4DP 10. AC Hotel Glasgow Glasgow's Grade A-listed former Parish Hall has found new life as part of the AC by Marriott brand. 'Heritage' rooms and suites are in the old red sandstone building and are worth the extra outlay if you like period features; cheaper rooms are in the modern extension and have floor-to-ceiling windows. Either way, you'll benefit from a brilliant location just seconds from George Square. The Nordic-inspired Hazel restaurant is notable for its fantastic (and great value) afternoon tea: think parma ham and fig open sandwiches or strawberry and matcha Battenbergs.
