Why?
This is probably the most stylish and comfortable hotel in Glasgow city centre, beating the likes of Hilton, Marriott and Thistle, thanks partly to its newness. The room I stayed in was large, had a modern Scandinavian feel to it, came with a selection of berries and mineral waters but was less pricey than equivalent rooms in traditional five-star rivals.
Postcard potential:
The hotel’s frontage, designed by Glasgow architects Gordon Murray and Alan Dunlop, certainly has the “wow” factor. Even though it has been dubbed “The Big Green Blob” by Glaswegians, the hotel has picked up a host of design awards, including new hotel of the year in the European Hotel Design Awards 2003. The copper screen is in fact an architectural sleight of hand to enable Radisson to put a seven-storey building on a street whose median height is only 20 metres.
Fabulousness:
Service was swift and friendly and the high, open atrium coupled with the glass elevators give a welcoming and transparent American feel.
Gut feelings:
The hotel has two dining areas, the informal tapas bar Tapaell’ya and the more formal Collage. We dined in Collage, where the scallops from Skye for starters were done to perfection followed by succulent medium-rare Aberdeen Angus steak, from livestock reared in Huntly in Aberdeenshire. Delicious, but more than I could handle portion-wise. The coffee was Fair Trade which is always pleasing to see.
Doorstep challenge:
This part of Argyle Street has what estate agents like to call “potential” – in other words, it still has a rough edge to it. But it’s very close to more attractive parts of Glasgow’s central business district, including the main office thoroughfares and the shopping experience that is Buchanan Street.
The knowledge:
The Radisson SAS, 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8DL (0141 204 3333, www.radisson.com). Rates from £50 per person.