Glasgow's Hottest Hotel? citizenM's Stunning Surprise!
Glasgow’s Hottest Hotel? citizenM's Stunning Surprise! – A Rambling Review (With SEO Jitters!)
Okay, okay, so they're calling it "Glasgow's Hottest Hotel?" citizenM. And I, your humble reviewer (and perpetual suitcase-dweller), was tasked with finding out if the hype is real. Spoiler alert: It’s… complicated. Get ready for some honest opinions, a sprinkle of anxiety, and a whole lot of rambles. SEO be damned, I’m going rogue!
Accessibility: (The Starting Point, and Slightly Messy)
Right off the bat, accessibility is key. Let’s address the elephant in the room: I haven't got any physical limitations but it seems this hotel has put in the effort, and that's good! No matter what your mobility needs are. Good start, citizenM! Though I'll be honest, navigating the super-slick lobby felt like wandering onto the set of a futuristic movie.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Well, here’s where things get… interesting. The whole vibe is very "design-forward," which translates to "minimalist" and "a little confusing for someone with my navigational skills." I think the restaurant and lounge are technically assessible, but I definitely felt like I needed a GPS to find the coffee machine. I will admit, maybe I need to give it some time.
Wheelchair accessible: Again, top marks (probably). Everything appears designed to make life easier. I didn’t personally test it with a wheelchair, but from what I could see and feel, it looks great.
Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty… because isn't that part of the fun?
Cleanliness and Safety… Is it a Bubble?
The whole COVID thing? It’s still a thing. And citizenM really leans into the cleanliness angle.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Breakfast in room: (More on that later, it's a journey.)
- Cashless payment service: Finally! (my bank account rejoices)
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Okay, maybe too clean? I half expected the lobby to start playing bubble wrap music.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Peace of mind, for sure.
- First aid kit: Always a good thing.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. I'm pretty sure I rubbed my hands raw.
- Hot water linen: Fantastic!
- Hygiene certification: Check.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yep. Wrapped things. Everywhere.
- Physical distancing: They are trying, a little.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Seems like it
- Room sanitization opt-out available: (Good for the environment!)
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Obviously!
- Safe dining setup: They're trying again. (maybe a little bit too much, more on that below)
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Yep.
- Shared stationery removed: Good riddance.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They certainly look trained.
- Sterilizing equipment: I'm sure it's there.
The Verdict: Overkill, but comforting?
Honestly? It felt a little over the top. Like, I was starting to worry about the lack of bacteria. BUT, I'm also a worrier, so the intense cleanliness definitely provided a sense of security during the stay. And maybe that's the point, eh?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (or Miss)
Alright, let's talk food, the cornerstone of any good hotel review (let's be honest).
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, but more like a very curated selection. (see below)
- Alternative meal arrangement: (If you're really picky.)
- Asian breakfast: Not really.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Nope.
- Bar: Yes, a cool one, with some nice cocktails.
- Bottle of water: (Free, thank goodness.)
- Breakfast [buffet]: Hah! Not a buffet.
- Breakfast service: (See below)
- Buffet in restaurant: Nope.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes. (Essential)
- Coffee shop: Yeah… ish.
- Desserts in restaurant: Limited.
- Happy hour: Definitely.
- International cuisine in restaurant: It tries.
- Poolside bar: (Not in Glasgow, maybe the building roof?)
- Restaurants: One, with options.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes! (Essential).
- Salad in restaurant: Yep.
- Snack bar: Snacks.
- Soup in restaurant: Sometimes.
- Vegetarian restaurant: (Limited, but present.)
- Western breakfast: Yep.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yep.
The Breakfast DRAMA
So, about that "Breakfast in Room" thing. Okay, so it’s a pre-packaged breakfast delivered to your door. Think: a croissant, a yogurt, a tiny juice, and a piece of fruit (which I’m pretty sure had been staring at me since the Jurassic period.) I'm not going to lie. I was initially disappointed by the lack of fresh stuff.
However, after a couple of days, my perspective shifted. It's convenient, it's no-fuss, and you can eat it in your PJs while watching whatever terrible Netflix show you're currently obsessed with. So… I still stand by my initial thoughts, but really it was just ok.
Happy Hour: My Spiritual Home
The bar area, however, I loved. The cocktails were well-made, the atmosphere was buzzing, and for an hour, all my worries about the "sterile" vibe seemed to disappear. If you need a place to relax, chill, be alive then this is the place.
Getting Around: (Almost too easy)
- Airport transfer: (Available.)
- Bicycle parking: (I didn't see any, but Glasgow is bike-friendly.)
- Car park [free of charge]: Nope.
- Car park [on-site]: (There’s one, for a fee.)
- Car power charging station: (Fancy.)
- Taxi service: (Readily available.)
- Valet parking: (No.)
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things (Sometimes Overlooked)
The staff was friendly, and the concierge was super helpful.
- Air conditioning in public area: (Yes.)
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: (Yes.)
- Business facilities: (Present.)
- Cash withdrawal: (There's an ATM.)
- Concierge: (Helpful.)
- Contactless check-in/out: (Efficient.)
- Convenience store: (Nope.)
- Currency exchange: (No, but Glasgow has ATMs…)
- Daily housekeeping: (Yes.)
- Doorman: (Yes.)
- Dry cleaning: (Yep.)
- Elevator: (Essential)
- Essential condiments: (I think they're trying.)
- Facilities for disabled guests: (See: Accessibility).
- Food delivery: (Yes.)
- Gift/souvenir shop: (Yes, but small.)
- Indoor venue for special events: (Yes.)
- Invoice provided: (Yep.)
- Ironing service: (Yep.)
- Laundry service: (Yep.)
- Luggage storage: (Yep.)
- Meeting/banquet facilities: (Yes.)
- Meetings: (Yes.)
- Meeting stationery: (I'm sure it's there)
- On-site event hosting: (Yes.)
- Outdoor venue for special events: (None that I saw.)
- Projector/LED display: (Probably.)
- Safety deposit boxes: (Yep.)
- Seminars: (They can do them)
- Shrine: (Nope.)
- Smoking area: (Yes.)
- Terrace: (Nope at this one)
- Wi-Fi for special events: (I assume.)
- Xerox/fax in business center: (Definitely.)
For the Kids: (Not Really a Highlight)
- Babysitting service: (Unlikely.)
- Family/child friendly: (Mostly.)
- Kids facilities: (Not really.)
- Kids meal: (Again, a maybe.)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The "Wellness" Angle (Sort of)
- Body scrub: No.
- Body wrap: No.
- Fitness center: (Yup.)
- Foot bath:
Alright, buckle up, Buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly-hungover, and utterly citizenM-Glasgow-centric chaos that is my trip. Let's be honest, I'm still figuring out how to use a coffee machine, so expecting pinpoint accuracy is a fool's errand.
The Glasgow Gauntlet: An Emotional Rollercoaster (aka My Itinerary)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Scottish Disorientation
- 14:00 (ish) - Landing in Glasgow, smelling Freedom and Airport HotDogs.
- Okay, let's be real, airports: they're a necessary evil. But at least the flight attendant on the way over gave me an extra cookie when she saw my "I haven't slept in a decade" face! Arrived in Glasgow feeling like a crumpled napkin. Immediately get to citizenM to crash.
- 15:00 - Check-in at citizenM:
- This part is actually amazing! Everything's so sleek and… what's the word? Efficient! The person at the desk was blessedly patient (I was probably drooling). Got my room key and a little pep in my step. Time to find my room and unpack my life (AKA a travel pillow, three books I'll never read, and a suspicious amount of snacks).
- 16:00 - Room Revelation & Wardrobe Malfunction Number One:
- Alright, the room is cute! Okay, it's tiny! Okay, it's PERFECT. Cozy, modern, and I'm already plotting how to steal the giant comfy bed. First order of business: try the shower. Success!!! (I always bring my own loofah because, ew, hotel loofahs). Oh, and my suitcase exploded its contents, again. Just an FYI to anyone reading this in the future if there's ever a problem. I like to call this my organized chaos.
- 18:00 - The Dinner Debacle (and the Great Scottish Pub Quest):
- Okay, hunger is setting in. Time to leave the safe confines of my room and venture into… the unknown. Googled "best pubs near citizenM Glasgow," clicked on the first one, and walked in expecting a gentle buzz. Nope. Packed. Like, sardines-in-a-can packed. The noise! The energy! My inner introvert nearly had a meltdown. Finally found a quieter (slightly) pub down the street. Ordered a pint and some… what was it? Oh yeah, fish and chips.
- Anecdote: As I waited for my food, I overheard a group of locals discussing the merits of Irn-Bru. Apparently, it's a national treasure? I'll have to investigate. Maybe tomorrow. Too tired. Also, the chips are cold.
- Okay, hunger is setting in. Time to leave the safe confines of my room and venture into… the unknown. Googled "best pubs near citizenM Glasgow," clicked on the first one, and walked in expecting a gentle buzz. Nope. Packed. Like, sardines-in-a-can packed. The noise! The energy! My inner introvert nearly had a meltdown. Finally found a quieter (slightly) pub down the street. Ordered a pint and some… what was it? Oh yeah, fish and chips.
- 20:30 - Back to the Room, Bed, and Netflix:
- I failed. I think I got a cold pint and cold chips. Back to the hotel. Crash a bit. Then watch a show. I do a quick scan to ensure I lock the door. Sleep time.
Day 2: Culture & Coffee (and a Near-Miss with a Squirrel)
- 09:00 (maybe?) - Rise and Shine (more like, "Ugh, Sunlight"):
- That bed. That glorious, cloud-like, sleep-inducing bed. Seriously, citizenM, you've ruined me for all other hotels! I think I need to invest in a bed like this. I woke up and was already behind schedule. I think I'm hungry.
- 10:00 - Coffee, Coffee, Coffee! + Breakfast!
- The hotel has a buffet, so why not grab a bite! I eat everything. Everything! Then get ready to explore.
- 11:00 - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: Art with a Side of Chaos:
- So, I'm not exactly an art aficionado, but Kelvingrove is beautiful! The architecture alone is worth the trip. I spent literally hours getting lost in the galleries. I was slightly overwhelmed but in a good way, by the time. So many pretty paintings.
- Quirky Observation: Why are all the portraits staring at me? Is it because I look like I've lost a fight with a pillow?
- So, I'm not exactly an art aficionado, but Kelvingrove is beautiful! The architecture alone is worth the trip. I spent literally hours getting lost in the galleries. I was slightly overwhelmed but in a good way, by the time. So many pretty paintings.
- 14:00 - Lunch and "Och Aye" Vibes:
- Find a pub near the park, the food was decent, and the people were nice. I tried to order a Scottish beer. I'm still getting the hang of the accent.
- 15:30 - The Squirrel Incident:
- Walking back to the hotel. Then a squirrel.
- Emotional Reaction: I almost screamed! That tiny animal, right in front of me!! It was so cute! I am going to get a pet squirrel.
- Walking back to the hotel. Then a squirrel.
- 17:00 - Rest and Recharge:
- More Netflix, more bed, and maybe a nap.
- 19:00 - Dinner!
- I go to a place! I have food! I eat it!
- 21:00 - Back to the hotel!
- Going to bed, I am tired!
Day 3: Glasgow Goodbye (For Now!)
- 09:00 (if the alarm works) - Last Breakfast & Farewell Feels:
- Honestly, I'm already dreading leaving. The hotel is perfect, the city has a certain charm (even if I'm still deciphering the accent), and I'm feeling… calmer? Probably because all the chaos has worn me out!
- 10:00 - Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping & Emotional Shopping Therapy:
- Grab a little something to remember my trip. Maybe a small bottle of that Irn Bru?
- 12:00 - Check Out & Teary-Eyed Goodbye to citizenM:
- This is the hardest part. Saying farewell to that glorious bed, the convenient location, and those friendly hotel staff members. Goodbye, citizenM, until next time!
- 13:00 - Train to the Airport:
- I'm leaving!!
- 15:00 - Flight time!
- I am going home!
Things I Learned:
- Glasgow is cold
- citizenM Glasgow is awesome.
- Scottish people are lovely.
- I need to learn how to pack.
- Squirrels are terrifyingly adorable.
- And most importantly, I could probably live here!
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, ordered the wrong food, and nearly had a heart attack thanks to a small rodent. But it was mine. It was messy, authentic, and filled with moments I'll actually remember (unlike that textbook history class from college). Glasgow, you've stolen a piece of my heart, and I'll be back. Preferably with a bigger suitcase and a squirrel-proof backpack.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Camps Bay Villa with Ocean Views!
CitizenM Glasgow: The Rollercoaster of a Hotel Experience (FAQ -ish!)
So, is CitizenM Glasgow, like, actually good? Or is it just another Instagram trap?
What's the deal with these tiny rooms everyone's talking about? Claustrophobia alert?
The location - is it actually central, or just Glasgow-central-adjacent?
That canteenM place – is the food any good, or just overpriced convenience store snacks?
Okay, spill the tea! Any major downsides? Any hidden costs?
Would you *actually* recommend staying at CitizenM Glasgow?
Tell me about the art! It looks mental from the photos…
The communal space – what’s that actually like? Is it awkward?
