1 Congress Road, Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom | (618) 248-8274
Short walk from media offices, exhibition center, and SSE Hydro arena
Health club with
heated pool, sauna, and steam room
All rooms provide kettles and mini-fridges
Higher-level
rooms have superb cityscape vistas
Club Lounge with
panoramic views and free drinks
On-site parking
at reasonable rates
Removed from city
center
Restaurant can
get busy
Fee for Wi-Fi
Breakfast not
included in standard rate
Overlooking the River Clyde, the Crowne Plaza
Glasgow is an upscale landmark hotel a few minutes'
walk from Glasgow's SSE Hydro arena and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC). Although the 332 rooms are undergoing renovations, even older ones are decent, with a solid range of amenities including mini-fridges and waffle-comb robes. The health facilities are also impressive and include a heated pool, a sauna, and a steam
room. And the restaurant gets good feedback, though can get busy at times. Rates are generally reasonable,
especially if you can snag one of the higher-level room with excellent cityscape views. However, extra fees for breakfast and Wi-Fi should be taken into consideration.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Soaring landmark property blending stylish interiors with chain-hotel aesthetics
Housed in a soaring
and shimmering mirrored tower that dwarfs the surrounding buildings, this landmark hotel has become a symbol for the
regeneration of the Clydeside region. The hotel opened in 1989, after two years of construction and an investment exceeding £22
million, but it didn't become a Crowne Plaza until 2005. An extensive refurbishment project is earmarked for 2015. The spacious, high-ceilinged lobby is decked
out with rust-effect panels, contemporary furnishings, and metallic
sculptures, all illuminated by ceiling spotlights and hanging light boxes. The
overall effect is arty and modern, if incongruous with the chain hotel's signature pink branding. The clientele are evenly split between business guests --
in town for nearby meetings or conferences -- and visitors with tickets for
shows at the music venue next door.
Location
Overlooking the River Clyde right next to Glasgow's SSE Hydro and the SECC
The hotel is
located on the north bank of the River Clyde in the Finnieston area of western Glasgow. Over the last 10 years or so, the area has gone through
a huge regeneration and now features a number of venues, including the SSE Hydro arena and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), both of which are right next door to the hotel. Media companies including the BBC, Film City Glasgow, and
STV are also within walking distance, just across the river. While not particularly convenient for
exploring Glasgow city center, the nearby Exhibition Centre train station
connects to Glasgow Central in about 10 minutes and the airport takes just over 10 minutes to reach by car.
Rooms
A mixture of renovated and unrenovated rooms, some with superb views
The hotel's 332 rooms and suites are spread over 16 floors, many of which have benefitted from an ongoing level-by-level renovation project. Yet-to-be revamped rooms still feel fairly modern, and have contemporary furnishings reminiscent of West Elm with bold burgundy accents (though
some bathrooms look tired). Updated rooms are more on-trend, with a softer color palette of neutral bedding and a hint of midcentury style. Amenities standard
to all rooms include air-conditioning, kettles, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and waffle-comb bathrobes. The 15 suites have separate living rooms and bedrooms along with panoramic views. The hotel's 34 Club Bedrooms are located on 15th and 16th floors and many have superb views
over the city, as well as high-end toiletries, free mineral water, and Tunnock's
teacakes.
Features
Heated indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and whirlpool
The hotel's star facility is its health club with a gym, a steam room, a sauna, and an indoor heated swimming pool with a separate whirlpool.
The ground floor Mariner Restaurant provides an extensive buffet breakfast with hot and cold items (not included in most room rates) as well as lunch and dinner, though the
quality of food is reportedly inconsistent and it can get busy. The bar can also get a
little crowded after shows at the nearby concert arena. Guests staying in one of the Club Bedrooms on the 15th and 16th floor also have access to the
Club Lounge, with panoramic views of the River Clyde and free drinks and snacks.
There's also on-site parking -- which is increasingly rare in Glasgow -- and though it's not free, the rates
are reasonable. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, for a fee.
