Travel: G&Ts and glamour on a girls' work trip to Kimpton Blythswood Square

You know you are in for a treat as soon as you enter the lobby. Image: Kimpton Blythswood Square

I challenge anyone to name a better feeling than hearing the words ‘we have upgraded you to a suite’ at a reception desk. Especially in Glasgow’s only five-star hotel.

Standing in the lobby of Kimpton Blythswood Square, black and white marble tiles beneath my feet and crystal chandelier drooping above a dark grand piano to my left, I was already feeling pretty fancy. I politely declined the offer of a concierge taking my battered backpack upstairs to try and maintain that aura.

My friend Julia and I looked at each other as we selected the top floor in the lift and headed up, not exactly sure what we were about to walk into. I can honestly say I have never seen a hotel room like it. One wall of the suite was made entirely of windows, with a view out onto a sprawling balcony and the city beyond. Waiting for us were all the makings of a Glaswegin G&T, which we assembled before continuing to explore.

We moved through the large seating area, along the windows and onto the bedroom, passing the black marble bathroom between. The balcony had not one, but two seating areas, the TV was hidden in the foot of the bed and the bubble bath was primed and ready to be poured into the huge tub. Though everything screamed luxury, it also felt homely. I would quite happily have moved in.

Julia and I were in Glasgow for a big awards ceremony, taking advantage of the occasion to have a bit of a girly sleepover. Of course, part of the fun of going to an event is getting ready with friends. We sipped our G&Ts in front of the huge bathroom mirror, slightly ruining the vibe by scattering our make-up everywhere, and turned the corridor between the rooms into a catwalk as we finalised outfit choices.

The perfect place to prepare for an event.

While we were out, we took great pride in telling people where we were staying, and – a tad boastfully – showing off pictures of our suite. We got back late, but still with plenty of time to have the genius idea of ordering room service breakfast for the following morning.

After a glorious sleep, we started the day in the only way you should after a late night: in the spa. Right on the bottom floor of the hotel, it felt a little like we were going down to another world; one of ultimate calm.

Used to spas with a pool, sauna and steam room at best, maybe a jacuzzi if lucky, I couldn’t believe how many things there were to do. It was almost like the most tranquil of water parks. The pool had a dark section, with stars on the ceiling mimicking the night sky. There were multiple saunas, one that was raised above the pool so you could sit inside and watch others swim. We didn’t last long in the snow shower but it was fun to try, and the clarifying air of the Himalayan salt room really cleared us out. I think the tepidarium was my favourite area, with the heated marble loungers hard to leave.

Just as we had planned, breakfast arrived in our room as we did. We had ordered an array of fruit, yoghurt, pastries, tea and coffee, which were delivered on a tray for us to enjoy. Though we had a lot of fun on our trip, we were also there for work, so this was very convenient to give us time to catch up on emails.

Continuing on the work theme, the hotel’s gorgeous Iasg restaurant is the perfect place for meetings, which we had set up for the morning. We nattered over coffee, and it was lovely to be able to do that in the peace of the hotel rather than having to rush out into the city.

Before heading for our respective trains home, we decided we had to try out some of the dishes on Iasg’s new menu. The restaurant space itself is so stylish, with a 360 bar in the centre and black and white flooring tiles carrying through from the lobby. I sent photos to my boyfriend in the hopes we could take inspiration during our house renovations.

Iasg restaurant served up a delicious meal.

Luckily, both Julia and I are the kind of people who enjoy ordering a little bit of everything to share. We opted for the seared scallops, beef carpaccio, Shetland mussels and burrata, tucking in and mixing and matching. Everything was delicious, championing Scottish produce to the max, but our standouts were definitely the scallops and carpaccio. We had mocktails on the side because that felt like a necessary addition to finish off our girly sleepover. And, why not?

There are cheaper hotel options in the city, but if you want a guaranteed treat Blythswood Square will deliver on all levels. The decor is gorgeous and you are made to feel special – even if your backpack is a little battered. From the calming spa and branded robes to the balcony views and delicious food, I will be dreaming about my next sleepover.

Factfile

Rooms in Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa start from £190 for bed and breakfast. For more information, go to www.kimptonblythswoodsquare.com

P.S.

Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa has been a prestigious address since the early 19th century. It boasts 114 rooms and suites, ranging from double and twin rooms right up to a new two-bedroom penthouse. The hotel is around a 10-minute walk from Glasgow’s Central Station, and not much further from Queen Street, so it’s an easy option even if you are on a quick trip to the city.