Park Inn By Radisson Glasgow City Centre

Set on a busy street in the center of Glasgow, this hotel occupies an erstwhile office building erected in 1872. Its handsome red-stone facade is graced with arched windows, ornate corbels, and an impressive granite staircase; the caveat is that climbing the last of these -- and a second internal one -- can be a daunting task with luggage in hand. The elongated lobby inside bears no trace of the structure’s 19th-century pedigree. On the contrary, oversized arc lamps, stylized seating and a rather jarring color scheme that combines hits of mauve and lime give it a decidedly modern look that is carried on into the restaurant and the guest rooms above. 

Situated in the heart of the city, near the financial district and within walking distance of major tourist sites, the Park Inn works well for both vacationers and business types. Buchanan Street (Glasgow's top shopping area) and George Square (a dining destination) are an easy stroll away; ditto for the Theatre District. If you want to venture farther, outlying attractions like Kelvingrove can be reached via the nearest subway station (five minutes from the hotel). Public transit will also take you to Glasgow International Airport in about 30 minutes, though you can drive there in half the time. If you’ve got your own car, secure parking is available a seven-minute walk away, and guests are eligible for reduced rates.

• Four-minute walk to Glasgow Central Station
• Four-minute walk to the Theatre District
• Five-minute walk to the Buchanan Street SPT Subway Station
• Five-minute walk to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
• Seven-minute walk to Glasgow Queen Street Station 
• Seven-minute walk to the Buchanan Bus Station
• Nine-minute walk to George Square
• 10-minute drive to the SEC Centre (Scotland's largest exhibition center)
• 10-minute drive to the SSE Hydro (Scotland’s largest indoor arena)
• 11-minute drive to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
• 14-minute drive to Glasgow International Airport
• 47-minute drive to Glasgow Prestwick International Airport

Like the common areas, the guest rooms aim for a contemporary look, but whether they succeed or not is a matter of taste. The key elements are here, streamlined furniture and pops of primary color among them. Yet the former can seem a bit space age-y, and the latter can be distractingly bright -- especially when splashed all over the ceiling. On the upside, all options come with air-conditioning, digital safes, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee-making supplies, but no minibars; walk-in power showers and pump-style toiletries are also standard issue in the matching tiled bathrooms. All, moreover, cover about 248-square feet. Family Rooms, however, feature a sofa bed (on-request cots or cribs are available as well); Accessible Rooms (for mobility-impaired guests) include the requisite equipment and modifications; while Superior ones have improved city views and added perks such as free breakfasts, bottled water and bathrobes. 

In keeping with its business-friendly approach, this hotel has a pair of meeting rooms that are up-to-date in tech terms, as well as a breakout area and on-site specialists to help with event planning. Conversely, the in-house restaurant -- Tony Macaroni, part of a popular Scottish chain with a broad menu of Italian dishes -- prides itself on welcoming families. Hotel guests dining there pay discounted prices, and room service is available. (Note that the Park Inn sets up its own breakfast buffet in the same modern, somewhat moody space each morning). Adjacent to the restaurant is a wood-paneled bar that serves light bites and the expected libations. Other facilities include a round-the-clock reception desk; a bright, decently outfitted fitness room; a clubby little billiards room; and a lobby computer station. Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the property.