With its impressive list of new museums, galleries and cultural attractions, Glasgow is shaking off its reputation as an industrial powerhouse, and becoming known for its architecture and creative energy. It has a number of recognisable contemporary buildings — including the beloved Armadillo — but it also has a charming collection of Georgian, Edwardian and Victorian architecture. Some of these historic buildings have now been converted into hotels (one or two with on site parking and some luxury options), and our pick of the best places to stay in Glasgow includes the old RAC building, an old church, Georgian and Victorian townhouses, and a Gothic mansion.

Some of our Glasgow Collections:

• Top spa hotels in Glasgow
• Best hotels in Glasgow with parking
• Best luxury hotels in Glasgow
• Top Glasgow hotels with pools

Glasgow is the UK’s fourth largest city so it's not surprising that there are so many impressive museums and galleries. It has a Concert Hall, a Gallery of Modern Art, a Museum of Architecture, the Burrell Collection, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum, and the Riverside Museum. The city is also known for its art school, and for the Arts and Crafts treasures created by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Glasgow also has a number of theatres and live venues, and a huge shopping precinct. This whole area is crammed with great places to eat, drink and be merry.

If you’re travelling with kids, the best places to stay in Glasgow might be on the South Side of the Clyde River, close to the Glasgow Science Centre and many of Glasgow’s numerous green spaces, including Pollok Country Park. Families may also be drawn to the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, in Hillhead, and The People’s Palace Museum on Glasgow Green close to Merchant City, which is where the big shopping and theatre precinct is. Our Gurus’ final recommendation is to check out the Barras, Glasgow's now legendary weekend flea market.

The Best Places to Stay in Glasgow

For a Special Occasion

• Mar Hall is a Gothic mansion in Bishopton, which is a little outside of Glasgow. Now a 53 room hotel, this hotel has a wonderful country house hotel vibe, with grand sandstone exteriors, vast ceiling heights and huge windows, opulent decor and a spa with extensive treatment list. The best rooms come with four-poster beds and views over the peaceful gardens. Dining can be formal or informal and there's a world class golf course.

For a Glasgow City Break

• Malmaison Glasgow has been very coolly converted from a former church. Its 72 rooms and suites are simple and elegant, the restaurant serves fusion grill dishes, while The Bar is the place for beer, bubbly or cocktails. Super central and close to nightlife and the main sights.
• Dakota Deluxe is an 83 room hotel, in a city central spot, prized for its privacy. We like the brassiere restaurant and Jacks Bar — complete with a cigar terrace — and it's popular with the locals too. The decor is stylishly moody, with a palette of greys and great lighting.
• The Hotel Indigo Glasgow is a contemporary, 94 room hotel, close to Glasgow’s Central Station. Expect bold patterns and great lighting, with a similar vibe in the restaurant downstairs. A very easy hotel to head out exploring from — most of Glasgow’s highlights are within walking distance.
• The Village Hotel is a slick, adults only, choice on the river in central Glasgow. The stark black exterior contains 120 rooms and suites, which are contemporary, yet cosy. The hotel has an indoor pool, a gym, a spa, a restaurant and a Starbucks.

For Romantics

• The Hotel Du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens is a 49 room hotel converted from a lovely Victorian townhouse. Rooms and suites are decorate with classic style, and contemporary bathrooms — think deep baths and high rain showers.
• Located in Glasgow’s West End, Kimpton Blythswood Square is a spa hotel in a wonderfully central spot. Part of this hotel used to be the iconic RAC building, and the rooms here are more traditional, with more contemporary decor in the modern extension. We loved the monochrome and pillared entry hall, the heather-coloured highlights, the tweed accents, and the excellent breakfasts.

For Families

• Abode, Glasgow has been converted from a grand Georgian building in a city-centre spot. Its 59 rooms and suites make the most of the hotel’s gorgeous original features, but with all the contemporary comforts, like sitting room space in some of the bedrooms, spacious bathrooms and an interesting art collection. Enviable rooms or suites can sleep up to four.

For Great Value

• Grasshoppers is a 30 room hotel close to Glasgow’s Central Station, which is the perfect spot for seeing the city’s sights. Rooms are simply dressed in cheerful hues, and there’s a friendly kitchen restaurant with some communal facilities and communal dining too.
• Glasgow’s CitizenM is a great example of the Dutch brand’s ‘lux for less’ approach, featuring classic modular rooms with their pod bathrooms with rain showers, huge beds, and all the technology, plus the 24hour bar and canteen serving Asian-inspired meals, snacks and nibbles. As with all the CitizenMs, there’s a large, and cool, lounge, perfect for hanging out. Very centrally located too.

Best B&Bs

• 15 Glasgow is a stylish, 15 room B&B converted from a townhouse on a quiet city garden square. Our Gurus love it for the huge beds, decadent bathrooms, fireplaces, oak shutters, natural light, and clever mix of contemporary and traditional interiors. The location is convenient for a wide selection shops and restaurants in the city's trendy West End.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Glasgow Airport is about 15 minutes by car or taxi from the centre of town, or 15minutes on the Line 500 Shuttle. If you’re travelling via London, there’s a direct train, which leaves from London Euston, and takes about four and a half hours to reach Glasgow. If you fancy travelling overnight, consider the Caledonian Sleeper, which also travels out of Euston six times a week, and takes about seven and a half hours.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Scotland’s weather is known for being unpredictable, and whatever time of year you choose to visit Glasgow, it pays to be prepared, with wet weather gear on hand at all times. Glasgow is a city break destination, with real year-round appeal, but this far north the late spring and summer days offer lots of sunlight, so extra exploration time. We recommend May through September, but the most popular time to visit is during the summer months, when there’s lots of music and cultural events on in town. If you prefer it brisk and a bit wild consider planning your visit for autumn or winter, when the city, and its highlights, are quieter.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search and include the best places to stay in Dumbartonshire, the best places to stay in Lanarkshire or the best places to stay in Helensburgh which is a relaxed, waterfront spot just 40 minutes outside of Glasgow.
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.