StyleNest head north of the boarder to stay at 15 Glasgow, one the Scottish city’s best kept secrets.
Glasgow has just about everything you’d want from a British city break – endless shops, great restaurants, cool bars and a wealth of culture to indulge yourself in.
It’s surprising then, that the Scottish city has little choice when it comes to cool and quirky places to stay. Sure, there’s five-star luxury in the form of the beautiful Blythswood Square and the like, and the usual big hotel brands to pitch up in. But if you’re looking for something a little special, Glasgow’s sleeping quarters don’t quite live up to the rest of its offerings.
Thank goodness then that we found 15Glasgow. Nestled in the Park area of Glasgow, sandwiched rather perfectly 10minutes from the City Center and 10mintes from the trendy West End, this A-listed Victorian townhouse is an undiscovered gem.
Park is the kind of place you imagine, or wishing perhaps, yourself living if you were to pitch up camp in the city a little longer than expected. With its pristine rows of terrace houses, friendly neighbours and hilltop views that scape the city’s architecture, 15Glasgow has nabbed one of the city’s top spots. And it’s this homely feel that gives the boutique bed and breakfast hotel.
Owned and run by real live-in family Shane and Laura McKenzie, the duo welcomed us into their, “labour of love” as they call it, with open arms. There’s no reception area at 15, instead we checked in with the lovely Laura in the downstairs drawing room – where guests can relax on sumptuous sofas as if they where at home. It’s little nuances like this that make 15 feel just like home. You have your own front door key to let yourself in after a few too many drams in the nearby West End, and there’s no dining room. Instead, a tasty traditional Scottish breakfast, fresh juices and coffee served up in your room each morning.
We were shown up to our room on the first floor, up the grand winding staircase overlooked by the most exquisite stained glass window – an original of the Victorian house. And original features are everywhere here, restored and showcased in all their beauty, from fireplaces to wooden shutters, and intricate cornicing. It’s no surprise to hear then that the building was built by esteemed Scottish architect George Smith, for one of the city’s most prosperous merchants back in the 1830s.
But it was our home for the night, and we settled in to our new sleeping quarters.
Our first floor room would have been the home’s original drawing room. Vast in size (it put the pokey London’s flats were used to, to shame), the room was more like a suite, with a huge bed, free standing ornate wardrobe and beautiful dressing table that looked out onto the crescent green.
On the other side, a living room area with open fireplace, vast mantelpiece, corner sofa and plasma TV. It was all brought together with modern touches of pink, perfectly placed candles and great big windows letting in heaps of light that can be closed off at night with sturdy rustic shutters.
An ensuite bathroom completed our room, with a huge walk-in shower, luxury organic toiletries and fluffy white bathrobes.
We’d have quite happily slung on the white robes and chilled out at 15Glasgow for the next few days, but the city is quite literally on the hotel’s doorstep and it’s beckoning you to explore. One thing’s certain; we’ll be booking a trip back soon.
15Glasgow, 15 Woodside Place, Glasgow, Scotland G3 7QL
Book your boutique hotel with Mr & Mrs Smith for the best available rates, money back with every booking and a free extra on arrival. Ring the expert Travel Team 24/7 on 0845 034 0700 or visit mrandmrssmith.com.