During his visit to Glasgow’s Book Festival, author of the Raymond Chandler biography, A Mysterious Something in The Light, Tom Williams, took a little time to check out the Blythswood Square Hotel …

First Impressions

Blythswood Square Hotel is a grand building situated along one length of a gorgeous Georgian square in Glasgow. It’s not hard to imagine a glamorous Gatsby-esque set stumbling through its elegant entrance to enjoy a night on the town and there is something of the fast-set about the place, perhaps because it was one of eight starting points for the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally.

The Hotel

You can’t want for a more relaxing room in Glasgow. The guest rooms are spacious with large bathrooms and deep bathtubs, perfect for relaxing in. Blythswood Square is a five star establishment and comes with everything you would expect. There are two cocktail bars, one in the restaurant and the other on the first floor, serving an eclectic mix of drinks. And, since we’re in Glasgow, there is an excellent range of whiskies, served by knowledgeable staff who can guide you through the drams available.

The Spa

In the basement you’ll find the spa area and it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the busy town centre. At its heart is a large pool with various jets and bubble experiences to pummel and soothe your stress away. There are also several steam rooms off the central pool with different temperatures and types of steam available.

The Treatment       

I chose a men’s facial for my treatment. Having sweated my way through the levels of steam rooms, I was invited into a relaxing treatment room with a soothing soundtrack to set the mood. Firstly, my skin was cleaned with a gentle wash to remove the detritus of urban life before being revitalised with a series of scrubs and moisturizers. Having almost fallen asleep several times due to the relaxing nature of the experience, the final ring of a set of Tibetan bells was a necessary, if unwelcome, jolt back to reality and I left the room with skin aglow.

The Restaurant

Scottish food has come in for a bit of battering in recent years (with apologies for the pun) thanks to rumors of deep-frying all sorts. But the restaurant at the Blythswood Square Hotel stands against all this and is testament to the quality of Scottish cooking. Breakfast was a delicious porridge accompanied by wild heather honey (though, I confess, I avoided the local habit of adding salt to the bowl to make it savory). Lunch, the following day, was a delicious tender steak and béarnaise sauce seared on a powerful josper grill that are now found in all the best steak restaurants. It was all I could ask for: simple but delicious.

The Location

Glasgow has a deserved reputation for culture. The granite city has a magnificent library and a world renowned book festival that is well worth attending. There are also plenty of museums to explore. Should you be on the look out for some retail therapy, Glasgow is also home to some world class shopping.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a relaxing city break you can’t get much better than this. Whether you are after something romantic or if you’re in town on business, the Blythswood Square Hotel provides wonderful service, excellent food and a lovely room. The spa is relaxing and indulgent and the treatments are just what they should be: affordable treats to make you feel that little bit special.

Top Tips

– Though flying is the obvious and quickest way to get to Glasgow from London, don’t discount the train. Yes it will take a bit longer but the coastal views on the way up will more than compensate for this.

– Be prepared for the rain. Glasgow can be very wet at times and you need to make sure you have some sort of waterproof if you’re going to be walking around.

– Try some whisky.  People can be put off by whisky’s reputation as an old man’s drink to be drunk in a leather wingback chair but it really is not. It’s one of the most exciting taste experiences out there at the moment and, if you visit a bar with a knowledgeable bar tender, they’ll be able to introduce you to its magical flavours, either on its own or in a cocktail.