Kimpton Blythswood Square review: Prepare for relaxation at Glasgow’s only five-star hotel

This landmark accommodation is the only five-star hotel in the beautiful Scottish city of Glasgow 

Housed in a row of Georgian terraced townhouses is Kimpton Blythswood Square, which rebranded to join the Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants brand in 2019.

This landmark accommodation is the only AA accredited five-star hotel in the beautiful Scottish city of Glasgow, and comes complete with a unique outdoor spa experience - something you might

not usually associate with the city. Even in the cold winter months, the spa offers a relaxing refuge for guests seeking a little relaxation in the centre of the vibrant metropolis.

Walk up the front steps and expect a warm greeting from the concierge staff, who will welcome you into the marble foyer set beneath a glistening chandelier. Glasgow’s motto “People make

Glasgow” is brought to life by the knowledgeable and friendly staff who help to keep the wheels of this hotel turning.

Initially designed as an abode for the aristocracy, the Kimpton still boasts classic features, such as the elegant Doric columns, but offsets these with contemporary artworks carefully

dispersed throughout the space.

One of the lovely perks of the hotel is its daily "social hour", where guests can enjoy a glass of wine in the lobby living room area. Thanks to a quick, smooth check-in process, you’ll be

dropping your bags into your room in no time.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Kimpton is home to 113 “light and bright” rooms, with the hotel claiming to have something to suit all traveller’s needs “no matter what your nobility rank”.

These include four different types of guest rooms, as well as three speciality suites and the esteemed penthouse. The hotel also provides two different types of accessible rooms to choose

from.

For our stay, we checked in to the King Bed Premium room, boasting top-floor views of the surrounding urban landscape.

Glasgow’s motto “People make Glasgow” is brought to life by the knowledgeable and friendly staff who help to keep the wheels of this hotel turning.

Though compact, the room has stylish features, including a large flat-screen television, sofa, dressing table, and fully stocked mini fridge, which is complimentary for those staying in a

Premium room.

The spacious, marble-clad bathroom is filled with an elegant bathtub and standalone shower. For forgetful guests, there's even a handy "Forgot it? We got it!" note, listing all of the

essentials available to borrow on request.

Rating: 4/5

While guests may be content to spend their trip relaxing in their room or enjoying a tipple in the hotel bar, the spa at Kimpton is one of the hotel's greatest crowd-drawing assets.

The award-winning wellness area, housed in the basement, was formerly home to nine luxury treatment rooms, two relaxation pools and a thermal suite which was complimentary to guests staying

in the hotel.

However, during our stay the spa was closed to make way for a major renovation project - so guests can expect even more relaxation to come.

In the meantime, Kimpton opened a special outdoor facility, named THAW, which draws inspiration from Nordic-style spas. The winter spa garden can be found in the courtyard and includes

luxury saunas and a steam room.

The Scandinavian-inspired pop-up also features an open-air hot tub, where bubbles can be purchased for an extra splash of luxury.

Calming treatments are also available, with the 55-minute full body massage serving as the perfect way to zen out after a busy day in the city.

THAW can be enjoyed exclusively by hotel guests seven days a week, while non-residents will be able to book a treatment or the 'Unwind and Dine' package on weekends only.

Rating: 4/5

The hotel's iasg Restaurant lends its name from the Gaelic word for fish, and sculpts its menu around a sustainable offering of seafood straight from Scotland's waters.

The foodie offering is jam-packed with regional options, such as Blackened Shetland cod, Scottish venison haunch and 6oz Scottish fillet steak. The aquatic offering doesn't at the menu, with

uniquely crafted cocktails paying homage to the sea with the likes of an Ouster Shell Martini and Mara Seaweed Salt Margarita.

Despite its seafood focus, there are also vegetarian dishes available, including a decadent goat's curd tortellini perfectly balanced with spiced winter squash, pumpkin seed pesto and kale.

By morning, the space transforms into a breakfast spot for guests, with a hearty self-service buffet of hot and continental breakfast offerings, such as eggs, cereals and fruits, as well as

vitamin-packed smoothies. There is also the option to order a freshly made dish from the breakfast menu.

Rating: 5/5

Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel has a quiet but convenient central Glasgow location. It is a quick 10-minute walk into the centre of the city and is easily accessible from both Central and

Queen Street Station.

Rating: 4/5

The THAW experience package includes bed and breakfast for two people with a 55-minute treatment each. Prices start at £380 (Sunday to Thursday) and £405 (Friday to Saturday), based on two

sharing. Hotel rooms start at £189 in the low season. Find rooms and book direct on the Kimpton Blythswood Square website.

Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at Pan Pacific with Booking.com or Hotels.com

11 Blythswood SquareGlasgowG2 4AD

The hotel, which first started life as a residential building, features a stunning garden area, perfect for the warmer days of spring and summer.

Given its central location and wealth of amenities, there are plenty of things to do in the nearby area to keep guests entertained.

Guests are free to explore the nearby sites, shops, restaurants and bars that fill 'The Dear Green Place'.

If you're up early enough, be sure to pay a visit to Kimpton's modern gym, complete with Peloton bike, to get your morning off to a good start.

And when you've explored all Glasgow has to offer, guests can unwind thanks to an array of serene spa treatments, which are set to be expanded when the freshly renovated spa reopens in the

summer of 2023.

Coupled with a restful night's sleep, guests can expect to check out feeling replenished and rejuvenated.

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