Affordable luxury: hotels in Glasgow for a plush getaway without the high price tag

Unusually housed in a former Greek Orthodox church, Malmaison Glasgow is a hotel that’s full of surprises. Once you step through the striking entrance way, you’ll discover a warren of cosy suites that make wonderful refuges after a long day of exploring. The ethos here is all about creature comforts, from having a great night’s sleep in a soft bed, indulging in a candlelit bath or waking up to a fresh mug of your favourite brew without leaving your room.

You’ll find the more affordable rooms boast calming colour schemes and doubles or twins bedecked in plush velvet pillows. Take a moment to smell the wonderful bespoke Malmaison toiletries in your bathroom, and feel free to order room service from the brasserie style menu of the Chez Mal Brasserie at any hour of the day (or night).

The citizenM describes itself as “Glasgow’s coolest hotel” — and its stylish, almost space-age, interiors certainly don’t disappoint. The contemporary design of this hotel makes it really stand out in Glasgow’s city centre, where the majority of the buildings date back to the Victorian era.

Rooms at citizenM are relatively compact yet all about comfort. Spread out on super king size beds made up with luxuriously soft linens and drift off to sleep with lulling mood lighting that manages to be simultaneously relaxing and effortlessly cool. Tech lovers will feel right at home, too, with the hotel’s iPad minis that can be used to tailor your room’s light levels, temperature and even control your TV.

One of the best features about citizenM Glasgow has to be its communal areas that’ve been created to feel like the welcoming home of a friend with trendy tastes. A huge wrap-around sofa takes centre stage in the lobby, plus there’s a handful of more intimate seating areas that are perfect for working or a chat. Floor to ceiling shelving units stuffed with books and cool curios line the walls, while a no-nonsense monochrome colour scheme is uplifted with a few pops of cherry red.

For those who prefer to get straight off the train and be in their hotel in under five minutes, you can’t beat Motel One Glasgow. Literally next door to Central Station, it’s far from the pokey dimensions and no-frills décor of most budget hotels. In fact, once inside, you’ll discover a stylish and welcoming haven in which to base yourself for a few days of exploring.

Rooms at Motel One are cosy and quiet, with hints of teal in the headboards, curtains and velvet scatter cushions brightening up an otherwise grey colour palette. The hotel’s rather minimalist bathrooms (no bathtubs) are made up for by the nice organic toiletries, while night owls are kept entertained by the array of channels on the smart TVs.  

Motel One Glasgow’s location doesn’t go unnoticed in its interiors, either. Sink into a tartan armchair in the trendy One Lounge bar or have some fun perching on one of the woolly sheep stools. There’s also a fair few design features that acknowledge Glasgow’s status as the starting point of the West Highland Line, from beautiful photography of train tracks and highland villages to the brass lettering in the reception that lists all the stations en route.

Art lovers will adore the location and tasteful décor of ABode, an affordable Glasgow hotel just a short stroll from half a dozen of the city’s best galleries. Once the childhood home of the country’s first Scottish-born first minister, the lovely Edwardian townhouse venue has since been transformed into a boutique sanctuary that subtly plays homage to the city.

Rooms at ABode Glasgow fit into four categories, with the cheapest — “Comfortable” — still affording you a spacious and stylish stay. Despite the generous dimensions and wide windows, ABode’s rooms exude coziness thanks to soft tartan bedspreads and calming colour schemes. The eye-catching wallpaper of paintbrush pots is a nice creative touch, plus you’ll spot golden lions (the royal symbol of Scotland) etched into the wall in the lobby.

If you’ve a keen eye for design, don’t forget to check out the Lighthouse that’s just a short stroll away from ABode. It’s a cutting-edge design centre dedicated to Charles Rennie Mackintosh that features seven storeys of unique exhibitions as well as a viewing platform accessed via a spectacular spiral staircase.

Nestled in the heart of the city, The Blythswood Square Hotel is a real throwback to the city’s prosperity during the 1900s. It was once the headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club and this esteemed heritage lives on in the hotel’s grand Georgian façade and gorgeous décor. It’s obvious as soon as you step foot into the magnificent lobby that no expense was spared in the hotel restoration. 

If you’re visiting during the warmer months, you’ll be able to glimpse the hotel’s private garden in bloom from your window or from the downstairs Salon. If you opt for the latter, expect to be seated on comfy chairs upholstered in Harris Tweed and to dine off a menu of mouth-watering afternoon treats with decadent twists. The egg sandwiches with truffle mayo and the coconut rum macarons are especially inventive (and delicious).

The Blythswood Square is uniquely one of the few hotels in Glasgow’s city center to have a spa, making it a perfect pick for those after an extra luxurious break. Pamper your skin with a bespoke mud treatment or ease your muscles with a choice of massages before taking a dip in the heated hydrotherapy pool (which is free for hotel guests to use in the mornings and evenings).

Like others in the boutique Hotel Indigo chain, the Glasgow venue has been designed with its location’s history in mind. It’s found in one of the most elegant areas of the city, where the buildings sport grand façades and generously proportioned rooms.

Glasgow’s past is admirably reflected in Hotel Indigo’s interiors, with rooms decorated with exotic patterned fabrics — a throwback to its days as a successful trading hub — and murals of the city in decades gone by. You’ll also spot portraits of Scottish poets as well as pieces from Glasgow School of Art alumni that give the whole hotel a rather gallery-esque feel.

For those hoping to check out the sights and sounds of Glasgow’s West End, look no further than the Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor. It’s housed in another elegant period building directly opposite the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, meaning many of the floor to ceiling windows proffer stunning leafy views.

Light-filled rooms and lush furnishings give the Hilton Glasgow Grosvenor an air of effortless quality. Marble bathrooms, LCD TVs and sumptuous toiletries come as standard, while those with more cash to splash will find the deluxe suites even have cosy living rooms and added extras like complimentary snacks and fluffy bathrobes.