Today’s review, Radisson RED hotel in Glasgow, is by Graham.
I was recently in Glasgow to see Coldplay at Hampden Stadium and needed a good hotel to stay in. I have visited many Radisson Blu hotels in the past and have always enjoyed my stay.
When I discovered that there was a Radisson Red hotel in the city it send the natural choice for our stay.
I was intrigued to see if this new brand would be as good as the other hotels in the Radisson Group.
The Glasgow hotel was the first Radisson Red to open in the UK. Since the hotel opened, two more have followed in London.
In this post:
Location of Radisson RED hotel in Glasgow
The hotel is situated literally just across the road from the OVO Hydro arena and SEC Armadillo making it an ideal choice if visiting a conference or concert. The Glasgow Hop On Hop Bus has a stop across the road from the hotel which will take you right into the city centre. The hotel is a good ten-minute walk from Glasgow Central railway station.
The River Clyde runs by the hotel with one of the grey Finneston cranes still standing, a relic of an age when Glasgow was one of the most important shipbuilding cities in the world.
Check-in at Radisson RED hotel in Glasgow
The two automatic doors opened to reveal a sea of red everywhere. The reception was unusually placed to the left of the main door. A warm welcome ensured “You looked very happy” was the greeting I received from the friendly receptionist. My enthusiasm about visiting this newish Radisson hotel had not gone amiss. The check-in procedure was quick and efficient.
The Lift at Radisson RED hotel in Glasgow
This is something I would not normally comment on though a lot of thought had gone into the decoration of the two lifts. The walls were adorned with on one side, music-related titles and record covers that had all to do with the colour Red, such as Little Red Corvette, The Lady In Red, whilst the other side had film posters such as Red Dragon and Red Heat amongst many others. It certainly gave me something to look at other than staring into a blank space as normal.
Radisson RED hotel in Glasgow Room
We stayed in a Superior Room – Hydro View. The room was light, airy and modern. The montage on the wall behind the bed might not appeal to all tastes – the idea is that it captures the energy, vibe and spirit of Glasgow.
A separate table with chairs that overlooked the Clyde was a novel idea, named The Picnic Table it seemed in keeping with the fun and casual approach the Red brand aspires to. Tea and coffee facilities were discreetly hidden away in the large wardrobe.
A safe, fridge, and hairdryer were also housed in the wardrobe too. Wi-Fi speeds were some of the best I have experienced when staying in a hotel. The bed gave a restful night’s sleep. Good to see enough charging points and USB points for phones, IPads etc.
Bathroom
A large bathroom with a rain shower that had enough water pressure to make it function properly. Good to see a vanity mirror too. Shower Gel and Body Wash were provided in large static bottles.
Radisson RED hotel Gym
The hotel has a small gym with running machines and weights. Towels and water were provided.
Radisson RED hotel Dining
The hotel has two dining options; the Sky Bar and the Oui Bar Ktchn. The Sky Bar is mostly reservation only. There is a separate lift from the reception to the top floor of the hotel where the bar is located. The view from the bar overlooks the River Clyde and the city itself. When we visited our fellow diners were a mix of business people, hotel guests and Glaswegians enjoying the exclusivity of the Sky Bar.
As you might expect there was a large selection of cocktails along with a good selection of Scottish Whiskey. The choice of small plates included an Haggis and Sesame Seed Sausage Roll which had a slightly diluted taste from the Haggis I have eaten in the past.
The Oui KTCHN on the ground floor specialises in Pizza which can also be delivered to your room. With red theme continued with pizza names such as Simply Red and Red Devil.
Breakfast is also served in the Oui KTCHN with a continental buffet and a cooked-to-order hot Scottish breakfast with sausage, bacon, Haggis, Tomato Scone, Mushrooms and your choice of egg. A hot veggie breakfast was also on offer too.
Service was friendly and efficient. We asked out server for advice on which taxi company to use to go to the concert at Hampden Stadium, he reeled a list of phone numbers without hesitation.
Conclusion
The standards associated with the Radisson brand have been upheld at the Radisson Red Hotel in Glasgow. A clean, modern and well-run hotel, I would have no hesitation in booking another reservation at the hotel next time I am in the city. Red Hot, indeed!
You can find more details and prices here.
