Devoncove Hotel

From the exterior, the Devoncove Hotel Glasgow has a classic, if slightly worn, sandstone facade, but like many local budget hotels the interior has little remaining historical features or character. The hotel lobby and bar lounge is modern, but not unlike a bachelor pad, with stark white walls, dark brown leather lounges, and a shiny black bar area. The guest dining room, where breakfast is served daily, is purpose-built and uninspired, with plain walls, high-back brown leather chairs, and a diamond patterned carpet. The hotel is occupied mostly with business guests during the week and tourists on a weekend. The common areas are much fresher than the basic, functional rooms, but both lack a distinct design style. For those not focused on aesthetics, this is a fine pick for visitors on a budget. 

The hotel is located on the popular Sauchiehall Street, a main east-to-west strip through the heart of Glasgow. The shopping district of Sauchiehall Street begins east of the M8 overpass, a 15-minute walk from the hotel, and is a popular retail destination for both tourists and locals. The hotel is a two-minute walk from Argyle Street -- known by locals as "The Strip" -- a buzzing area for trendy youngsters, with pop-up bars, edgy restaurants, and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Byres Road, located in the heart of the West End, is heaving with bars and is a short four-minute taxi ride from the hotel. Guests are a seven-minute drive from the Riverside Museum, which looks out to the River Clyde, and a seven-minute walk from Kelvingrove Park. Business guests are conveniently situated within walking distance of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, a modern riverside events venue. The closest subway station is Exhibition Centre, a seven-minute walk away from the hotel. It's a 15-minute drive to Glasgow Airport and a three-minute taxi to Charing Cross Train Station. 

Guest rooms here are basic and functional, with a distinct dormitory vibe created by blue carpet, tired wooden furniture, beige walls, and earth-toned curtains. Walls are mostly bare, except for unremarkable light fixtures and a random framed piece of art here or there. The bathrooms are equally basic, with floor-to-ceiling white tiles, minimal vanity space, toiletries, and shower/tub combos with plastic shower curtains. We saw a good deal of mold and discoloring in the grout in the shower/tub combos. Hairdryers are mounted outside of the bathrooms, above the desk in the main body of the room. All rooms include flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, electric kettles, ironing facilities, in-room safes, and air-conditioning. Single, Double, and Triple room configurations are available, and some include leather love seats or upholstered armchairs.

The Devoncove Hotel Glasgow features free on-site parking at the rear of the hotel that's operated on a first-come, first-served basis. A full traditional Scottish or continental breakfast is served in the hotel's modern, if bland, breakfast room. There is also an on-site bar for cocktails and beer. The hotel's front desk is staffed 24 hours a day and can provide printing and faxing services. This is an elevator building, which isn't always guaranteed in Glasgow, and there are free newspapers on hand in the lobby. Wi-Fi is free throughout.