Hotel review: Grasshoppers, Glasgow
AOL Travel reviews Glasgow's Grasshoppers hotel, a boutique bolthole in the city centre with affordable rooms
Written by: Andrea Mann
Grasshoppers hotel
Date published: 01/11/2012
3.5 / 5 stars
A chic new boutique city centre hotel for Glasgow sounds like a good idea. A chic new boutique city centre hotel that's situated a mere hop, skip and a jump – no, make that just a hop – from Glasgow's Central railway station sounds like an even better idea.
And Grasshoppers hotel is, in fact, a joint collaboration between a hotelier, Barrie Munn, and Network Rail – as it's situated within the Caledonian Chambers building, which was originally built in 1905 for the Caledonian Railway Company and overlooks Glasgow Central.
The result is a unique little boutique hotel, in a unique position.
First impressions
Grasshoppers is a penthouse hotel - in other words, one that's taken over the sixth floor of a building. As a result, the entrance isn't particularly striking, as it is, well, the entrance to an office block.
But once you step out of the lift on the sixth floor, you're in a tiny oasis of calm and comfort, all pale colours, light wood, Scandinavian design touches and corridor walls adorned with photographs and artwork by local fine artists.
This place is perfect if you're...
... a stopover in Glasgow on your way around Scotland, or if planning a short city break by rail and don't want to waste precious time getting to and from your hotel.
Best rooms in the house?
Each of the 30 guest rooms boasts Caledonian oak wooden flooring, free Wifi and a TV with Sky Plus; handmade kingsize beds and mattresses, Egyptian cotton bed linen, feather duvets – and a Grohe power shower that you simply won't want to get out of. (Also available on request are hair straighteners and iPod docks.)
But no two rooms are exactly the same; each has a different layout, finishes and style of hand-designed wallpaper by MissPrint (ours was a beautiful red dandelion on grey print).
The hotel's position on the sixth floor means you're guaranteed to be looking out over Glasgow's rooftops, but the rooms on the station side of the hotel also command a view of Glasgow Central's impressive glass roof.
What's the food like?
'The Kitchen' is the modern-looking dining area where a hearty buffet breakfast is served (the hotel doesn't offer other meals). The food is locally sourced where possible, and delicious, freshly baked bread. As for other meals, there are more decent local restaurants than you can shake a Scotch egg at.
Things to do, places to see...
As you're right in the heart of Glasgow's West End, the city's best and busiest shopping areas, such as Princes Square, are literally on your doorstep. For a break from retail therapy, GoMa (the Gallery of Modern Art) is also just five minutes' walk from the hotel; and for those after traditional Scottish fare, we highly recommend the haggis at cosy pub Rab Ha's on Hutcheson Street.
What's the damage?
Standard doubles £85; larger doubles or twins £95; singles £75. Triples are also available on request. All rates include breakfast.
Details Grasshoppers Hotel Glasgow – 87 Union Street, Glasgow G1 3TA, 0141 222 2666. http://www.grasshoppersglasgow.com/
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