It’s not easy to conjure up a stylish hotel that gets noticed in a seriously stylish, design-conscious city. It’s an infinitely harder task for that hotel to remain one of the city’s most stylish boltholes over a decade after opening. And that is exactly what Malmaison Glasgow has pulled off. It’s still one of Glasgow’s hottest properties despite a swathe of recent competition and it’s got a buzzy bar and brasserie worth staying in for too.
Why Stay?
This is a hotel that lies in the heart of Scotland’s largest city, just off leafy Blythswood Square. The city’s main railway station, Glasgow Queen Street, is just ten minutes walk from the grand front door, while the airport is a half hour drive away. Fittingly for the architectural drama of this historic core it’s housed within a deeply historic building – a grand old Greek Orthodox Church. For business people there are a choice of handy meeting and events spaces right here in a seriously handy location.
There are 72 rooms – think mood lighting, sharp lines and striking art. A nice touch are the local Arran toiletries brand. For a real treat you can book into their sumptuous Duplex Suite – where I’ve been lucky enough to stay – and enjoy the views out of the brace of skylights. The other rooms include ‘Standard’, which still feels plush and modern. Club rooms take things up a notch; Club Deluxe another level still. Then there are the suites, which offer more space and a touch more luxury. There is that Duplex Suite, and also their Signature Suite with its separate lounge and big leather sofa.
The central location – within easy reach of both the city’s main railway stations, Buchanan Street Bus Station and the M8 motorway – makes Malmaison Glasgow a convenient hub if you plan on venturing further afield. Edinburgh is 45 minutes away by train, Loch Lomond even closer and the ferry piers that open up the Firth of Clyde islands within easy reach of Glasgow’s Central Station.
What’s it Like?
Malmaison Glasgow is a stylish place for stylish people. It’s the sort of hideaway you escape to with secret lovers, or for a life-affirming weekend with your life partner. It works too for older kids as it’s not too cool for school and the staff are universally welcoming.
The décor is like something from the pages of a fashion magazine. The grand facade of this former Greek Orthodox Church sets the tone. Inside wrought iron, a striking atrium and well-curated art await. You’ll want to wander around taking it all in.
It really is worth staying in at ‘The Mal’ with both the Chez Mal Bar and Chez Mal Brasserie. At the Chez Mal Bar the highlight are their sweeping range of cocktails: everything from the old favourites like Negronis and G&Ts, through to more local cocktail twists imbued with Scotch whisky. Chez Mal Brasserie takes its cues from the Auld Alliance across the water with France. But the ingredients are impressively Scottish. I savoured a delicious seafood starter of fried prawns, scallops and squid, before a prime Scotch beef fillet cooked properly rare. It came with the decadent treat of truffle and parmesan fries, washed down with a spot-on bottle of Ribera del Duero.
Top Tips
For the extra space and striking art it’s worth paying the extra for one of their suites – go on, treat yourself. I loved the large bath in the Signature Suite and the sink-in leather sofa.
Check online for some superb deals. Often the rates and specials on their site trump anything you’ll find on the booking sites. Another money saver is they don’t stock their fridges unless you ask so bring your own drinks along as you’ll have somewhere to chill them. And proper milk is always a bonus in coffee. The suites have coffee machines.
Breakfast runs until 10am and it’s superb, so breakfast late and you won’t need lunch. Kick off with decent coffee, fresh croissants and fresh fruit. Then it’s on to Eggs Benedict made with Scottish salmon (often called Eggs Royale elsewhere) or smoked haddock kippers. The full cooked breakfast is a gargantuan feast guaranteed to set you up for even the longest of sightseeing days.
Reasons to Book
- Stylish oasis that has stood the test of time.
- Brilliant location in the heart of the city close to both main railway stations and Glasgow’s main bus station.
- Food and drinks worth staying in for at Chez Mal Brasserie and Chez Mal Bar.
278 WEST GEORGE STREET, GLASGOW, G2 4LL
TEL: 01413780384
