Blythswood Square Hotel

Commanding one entire side of a verdant Georgian square in one of Glasgow's most prestigious addresses, Blythswood Square Hotel is a member of The Town House Collection of luxury boutique hotels in Scotland. Following a major refurbishment, the hotel retains many original architectural features from the days when it was HQ of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, while still managing to be simultaneously modern and glamorous. Avant-garde art on the walls and a very busy bar that is popular with Glasgow's movers and shakers are all part of its glamorous atmosphere.

The 100 en-suite rooms at Blythswood Square all offer a similarly rich, textural design, using Harris tweed for the purple curtains and pendant lampshades, and marble cladding in the bathrooms, but we'd strongly recommend staying in a deluxe room or one of the suites, as otherwise you may feel a little cramped. Facilities and technology in all rooms, though, are what you might expect from Glasgow's top hotel. For a special treat, consider staying in the magnificent Penthouse Suite Apartment, which comes with its own private lift, a bar and dining room, and a furnished rooftop terrace with panoramic views across the Glasgow rooftops.

Many guests will be staying just one night, either heading on to or back from the Scottish Highlands, but a stay at Blythswood Square is the perfect tonic. You can unwind in the excellent spa, enjoy delicious seasonally chosen and locally sourced food in the 100-seat restaurant, and sip inventive cocktails in the lively bars – either the lively Rally Bar, from where participants in the famous Monte Carlo rally would start out, or the spacious Salon champagne bar with its original fireplaces and columns, and boasting stunning views over Blythswood Square.

Named European City of Culture in 1990, Glasgow's arts and culture scene is vibrant, and there are constant musical and theatrical events on. If you are a fan of Glasgow's most revered architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, walking the Mackintosh trail is a wonderful way to enjoy his works. Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens are internationally acclaimed, and well worth a visit, while less than an hour away are the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, where you can enjoy some of Scotland’s most breathtaking scenery. And if you after a last-minute gift or a treat for yourself, the shops and restaurants of Buchanan Street are just a short stroll away from the Blythswood Square Hotel.