Glasgow Hotels

Whether you’re planning a short weekend away or want to stay for a whole week, here at lastminute.com we have a s superb selection of deals on holidays in Glasgow.

Museums and galleries

Glasgow has a wonderful collection of museums and galleries for you to discover. One of the most famous art galleries is the Burrell Collection. Located in the Pollok Country Park on the south side of the city, the gallery was a gift from Sir William Burrell, a wealthy Glaswegian shipping magnate. The gallery has a fascinating and diverse collection of over 8,000 objects, which includes paintings by Degas and Cézanne.

Another gallery you won’t want to miss is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Located on Argyle Street, the collection is housed in a beautiful Spanish Baroque-style building and is home to one of the finest collections of arms and armour in the world. The museum also has an excellent restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat after enjoying the collection.

Shopping

Glasgow is a great place to visit if you’re a bit of a shopaholic. The main shopping area is known as the Golden Z and is made up of the pedestrian areas of Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street. The area has a fantastic collection of shops with Buchanan Street being the most upmarket and offering the most luxury brands.

A more unique shopping experience can be had at The Barras market in the East End. Open every Saturday and Sunday, the market has hundreds of stalls selling everything you can think of and more.

Theatre and opera

A great way to spend an evening in the city is with a visit to the theatre or opera, and Glasgow has an excellent selection to choose from. One of the oldest venues in the city is The Theatre Royal Glasgow which first opened in 1867. The theatre is home to both the Scottish Opera and the Scottish Ballet. It has also hosted shows such as Bugsy Malone, Romeo and Juliet and East is East.

Best places to stay in Glasgow

The most obvious place to stay in Glasgow is the city centre, close to both Glasgow Central and Queen Street train stations. It’s perfect for public-transport day trips to Loch Lomond, Dumbarton and Edinburgh, for example. You’re also within easy walking distance of the cathedral, George Square and the shopping area known as Merchant City. Alternatively, the city’s West End – home to Kelvingrove and the University of Glasgow – is incredibly popular. You’re a short walk from popular museums, attractions and the botanical gardens and surrounded by vintage shops, boutiques and stunning architecture. Rubbing shoulders with the West End, you’ll find Finnieston. It’s known as the hippest district in Glasgow and a hotbed of cool restaurants and craft beer bars. Argyle Street is the heart of the action here. It shares all of the benefits of the West End for walking-distance attractions and is close to The Hydro for concerts.

Where to stay to be near the popular attractions in Glasgow

The West End, Kelvingrove and Finnieston tick all the boxes here. You’re within easy reach of Kelvin Grove Gallery and the Huntarian Art Gallery, as well as Riverside Museum and Glasgow Botanic Gardens. It’s ideal to be within walking distance of these and surrounded by shops and eateries, so you needn’t bring a car or hire one. Shoppers should stay in the City Centre to peruse high-street favourites on Buchanan Street and in the Buchanan Galleries or designer goodies in Merchant City. Independent shops and quirky boutiques are mostly found in the trendy West End.

Where to stay with your family in Glasgow

The Kelvinhaugh end of the West End is ideal for families with kids, close to the Riverside Museum (with its tall ship) and Glasgow Science Centre. If you’ve already visited the museums on a rainy day, head a little farther south to the Glasgow Climbing Centre to burn off some energy. There are also two small play parks in Kelvingrove Park. Equally, the city centre is handy for day trips to Loch Lomond, Dumbarton Castle or Pollok Country Park (easily reachable on the local train line). Older kids will enjoy a fun challenge at Pinkston Watersports centre, just north of the city centre.

Where to stay as a solo traveller in Glasgow

If travelling alone in Glasgow, make a beeline for Finnieston. It’s often cited as Glasgow’s coolest district, and it’s cosy, quirky and has plenty of buzz. It’s also great for budget accommodation, encircled by lively places to eat and drink. Kelvingrove has galleries, a large park to stroll around and pretty shopping areas like De Courcy's Arcade and Ashton Lane. Or head south of the river to Bellahouston Park, home to Rennie Mackintosh’s House for an Art Lover. The house hosts events and art workshops throughout the year, like wreath making, ceramics and drawing classes, or gin tasting, afternoon tea and the Christmas Fayre.

Where to find cheap hotels in Glasgow

For budget stays in Glasgow, you can’t get much better than Glasgow Youth Hostel. Not only does it offer dorm rooms from £22/night, the three-star hostel is nestled in the Park District, a safe and quiet area bordering Kelvingrove Park and close to Finnieston.

The easyHotel Glasgow – in the north of the city centre – is another super-budget option close to city-centre eateries and the bars on and near Sauchiehall Street. Close by, just steps from the iconic Willow Tearooms, designed by Rennie Mackintosh, you’ll find the Ibis Glasgow City Centre. This is a good bet for families and couples, with rooms for under £100 per night, a cheery interior and a reasonably priced breakfast. Close by, for a similar price (~£100 with breakfast), couples, families and solo travellers rate the Hotel Indigo. It’s located in a building with grand Glasgow architecture, just a short walk from the main station.

Hotels with rooftop bars

The iconic Radisson Red Hotel in Glasgow has one of the best rooftop bars in the city. The RED collection houses Radisson’s funkier, culture-focused hotels that are all about keeping it local. It’s situated in cool Finnieston, a stone’s throw from the Hydro and the SEC, so it’s perfect for concerts. On the top floor of the hotel, the bar overlooks the river Clyde. As night falls and the city starts to twinkle, it’s a perfect location for drinks while gazing out of the floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s also a restaurant and bar downstairs, complete with funky wall art and a pool table.

Hotels with gourmet restaurants

Elegant architecture, sublime service and exquisite dining unite in the Hotel Du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens. It’s a short walk from the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, on a beautiful tree-lined terrace in the fashionable West End. The spacious, opulently decorated rooms ooze charm, but the real pull to this hotel is its fabulous restaurant. The menu changes regularly, based on what’s in season, always taking carefully sourced Scottish ingredients and giving them a haute-cuisine spin. You can dine a la carte or enjoy a four-course Champagne lunch, an adventurous tasting menu, or delectable afternoon tea. Sunday lunch is a true event here too. Expect old-fashioned, grand decor, attentive service and a sommelier on hand to guide you through the wine cellar.

Spa hotels

One of the best spa hotels for a Glasgow city break is the Hilton Glasgow. It’s a four-star stay located between Finnieston and the city’s key concert venues and Glasgow centre. There’s a large pool and spa area, including a spa bath, sauna and steam room, plus a fitness centre. You can book in for a treatment at the on-site PURE spa, which offers facials, massages and spa days. There’s also a delightful bar called Whisky Mist Bar & Kitchen, serving up cocktails, craft beer and, of course, whiskies.

Exceptional hotels

One of the most exceptional hotels in Glasgow, for its architecture and ambience, is the Sherbrooke Castle Hotel. Guests spend their getaway in the picturesque baronial residence, located in the well-heeled area between Pollok Country Park and Bellahouston Park. The ivy-clad frontage, topped with towers, gives way to a grand interior with stained-glass windows, a sweeping main staircase and four posted bedrooms (with all the modern facilities). While here, indulge in a full Scottish breakfast, three-course evening meals, a drink in one of the cosy bars, or afternoon tea on the terrace surveying the manicured estate.