Best Western Glasgow City Hotel

The Western Glasgow City Hotel, built in the 1800s, was a former theater and dance school, with a grand sandstone facade lined by flower pots and Victorian lamp posts. Guests -- a mix of weekday business travelers and weekend tourists -- are greeted by a charming entrance, complete with a dark wood panel reception counter, marble floors, ornate side table, ivory colored walls, and a period picture rail. The lobby lounge is spacious and handsomely decorated with light grey couches, large light-filled windows, and a feature fireplace. The breakfast room is spacious, with varnished wooden floors, high-back chairs, and framed artwork. Overall, this chain property is a solid pick for its modern interiors, though the lack of an elevator may be bothersome to some guests. 

The Best Western Glasgow City Hotel is a five-minute walk to Sauchiehall Street (pronounced Suck-ee-hall) which is the beginning of Glasgow's "Style Mile"; a "golden Z" of boutique shopping, cafes, and restaurants stretching between Sauchiehall, Buchanan, and Argyle Streets. For nightlife, Nice 'N' Sleazy (with regular live music), the Saramago Cafe Bar (attached to the Center for Contemporary Art), and The Vic (a popular club) are all within a five- to 10-minute walk. Art enthusiasts are a seven-minute taxi from the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and an 11-minute taxi from the Gallery of Modern Art. Charing Cross Station, a stop on Glasgow's subway network, is a two-minute walk, and Glasgow Central Station, with mainline connections to the rest of the U.K., is an 11-minute walk from the hotel. Guests arriving via Glasgow Airport are an 11-minute drive from the hotel. 

The Best Western Glasgow City Hotel has 52 rooms with multiple room configurations including Small Double, Standard Single and Double, Family Rooms, and Executive Double Rooms. Rooms feature plush tan or plaid style carpets, plus gray or patterned accent walls, and dark wooden furniture, though we did spot a bit of wear and tear. Compact bathrooms are cleverly decorated with floor-to-ceiling white tiles that give a sense of space, plus quality antique-style fixtures, toiletries, and shower/tub combos with glass shower screens. As the name implies, Small Double Rooms and Single Rooms are tiny. All rooms include ironing facilities, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles. Some rooms also include handy mini-fridges. Noise may be an issue due to construction in the neighborhood, so guests should check ahead with the hotel if this is a concern, and this is an old hotel, so floorboards do creak on occasion. Additionally, there are no elevators, though some rooms have been retrofitted for disabled access.

The Best Western Glasgow City Hotel has a modern breakfast room with nice wooden floors. A breakfast buffet is available daily with a choice of a traditional Scottish or continental breakfast, though it is not included with room rates. Pets can be accommodated if pre-arranged with the hotel. There is no on-site elevator or guest parking available. Reception is manned 24-hours and room service is available. There is a cozy lounge off the lobby where couches are arranged near a pretty fireplace and coffee and tea are available throughout the day. There is also a computer station on site and Wi-Fi is free throughout.