Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa

Experience the timeless elegance of the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa, a landmark hotel in Glasgow and also the city’s only five-star property. Located in a stunning Georgian-trimmed terrace of townhouses overlooking historic Blythswood Square Gardens, this beautiful property by Kimpton Hotels offers a rich history combined with up-to-the-minute luxury hospitality. Following a recent multimillion-pound renovation of their spa The Luxury Editor was asked to rediscover what makes the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa such an incredible property and certainly one of the best in Scotland.

I have a soft spot for this building, it feels like a home from home over my visits throughout the years, perhaps it’s because one of my earliest childhood memories was eating ice cream there for dessert when I was taken as a treat by my father to what was then the RSAC Club Ballroom. Fast forward to today and the RSAC’s legacy for flawless service lives on in the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa, throughout its 113 bedrooms and suites, destination restaurant, iasg, and glorious underground spa it really is wonderful. Top this off with their ‘social hour’ which takes place in the lobby each afternoon along with Kimpton’s commitment to being pet friendly and you probably will want to move in permanently!

Location

Located on Blythswood Square, the hotel is in the heart of Glasgow city centre, but conveniently one of the quietest parts, so a good night’s sleep is guaranteed. The property looks out onto leafy Blythswood Square Gardens, which hotel patrons have private access to and if you want to go shopping Buchanan Street and the luxury shopping brands on Ingram Street are a short 15-minute walk away. Head in the other direction to Glasgow’s cosmopolitan West End and Finnieston which is packed with refined bars, and award-winning restaurants.

Given the historic nature of the property, it doesn’t offer onsite parking however valet parking is available just leave your car in front of the hotel and a staff member will whisk it away. Queen Street Station, Central Station and Charing Cross Station are all within easy reach of the hotel along with various Glasgow Underground stations being within easy reach too and a journey to Glasgow Airport will take around 25 minutes by car.

Social Hour

Despite the building’s very stately appearance inside and out, with doric columns in the lobby and a grand piano and chandelier to the left of reception, it’s very much a relaxed affair, where historic features sit hand in hand with contemporary art. Infact things are so relaxed guests can enjoy ‘social hour’ in the lobby every day from 4 pm to 5 pm. This guest offering runs throughout all Kimpton properties (so a great little benefit to booking a Kimpton hotel stay), where you can indulge in an hour of complimentary wine and beer.

Fit for Aristocracy

What was originally designed as a series of townhouses for Glasgow’s aristocracy, the hotel bedrooms which are all unique in layout to one another still feature many of the original Georgian architectural features like marble fireplaces, rich wood panelling, and double-size ceilings. But it’s all grounded with a down-to-earth sensibility, modern furnishings and interior design along with up-to-the-minute modern luxuries that give it a relaxed home-from-home feeling.

The 113 guest rooms range from essential rooms, through to premium rooms, and premium with garden views. Guest quarters all come with their trademark marble bathrooms with separate bath (some with roll-top baths) and separate showers, along with minibar and tea and coffee-making families.

For more floor space their suite categories with separate living and dining spaces range from their 40 sqm garden view suite through to their 50 sqm Georgian Suite, and  65 sqm Executive Suite. 

Enjoy ultimate luxury and space and stay in the Penthouse Suite which comes in at 153 sqm, includes its own 18.5 sqm private terrace and roof garden, lift and separate entrance along with a master bedroom, wet room, sunken ‘spa’ bathtub and walk-in wardrobe, second double bedroom and kitchen and dining room that seats up to ten guests.

Our Room During Our Stay – King Premium Garden View Rooms

Whilst we weren’t in the Penthouse Suite we stayed in a wonderfully indulgent King Premium Garden View Room. These rooms offer enhanced floor space, have beautiful views out over Blythswood Square Gardens, a small lounge table and chairs next to the window, along with a large fully marble bathroom with a separate bathtub and walk-in shower

Bedroom

Bathroom

I love this bathroom layout as there is a screen between the bathroom and bedroom that you can roll back to open up the space. This makes the room feel much bigger and brighter – and it also means you can watch TV from the bath too so a win-win.

View

These rooms present views overlooking the gardens while standard rooms offer street views.

Amenities

There is a mini bar which is all complimentary along with tea and coffee making facilities and a Nespresso machine, while bathroom amenities are by brand 19-69.

Food and Drink

The main restaurant has undergone many incarnations over the years, what was once the former RSAC Ballroom, is now iasg Restaurant (which means fish in Gaelic), with a menu offering built on the premise of sustainable Scottish seafood (along with some really great meat and vegetarian options too) you are in for a veritable feast of the best quality ingredients Scotland has to offer. Enter through the lobby and be greeted by the restaurant’s eye-popping central cocktail bar (it reminds me of the bar in The Ivens in Lisbon), there is something about a central bar that draws you into a space. Here bartenders can whip up a cocktail or pour a glass of wine before dinner as you perch barside before heading through to the restaurant.

The menu at iasg highlights fresh, sustainable Scottish seafood and meats. Standout starters include seared scallops with kimchi butter sauce and the prawn cocktail with avocado and caviar. For mains, options like grilled monkfish with caper butter or a prawn & salmon burger offer distinct flavours along with their Scottish Ribeye steak.

Sides such as hispi cabbage with crispy chilli and sautéed potatoes with anchovy butter complement the dishes. The “Fruits of iasg” platter showcases daily seafood specials, and steaks are available with indulgent sauces like smoked bone marrow butter I took mine with chimichurri.

The Spa & Thermal Suite

What really sets the hotel apart from all its competitors is its spa where you can forget about your worries for a few hours and relax in this underground sanctuary. The spa has been closed for a period of time while it went through a significant renovation and now offers a luxurious wellness experience inspired by the Scottish Hebrides it features four thermal journeys, each designed to relax, detox and invigorate.

Hotel guests have complimentary access to the spa at set periods throughout the day – we visited at lunchtime – give yourself a couple of hours to enjoy the spa – where you can move between its central jacuzzi, have a swim, lie in one of their poolside cabana beds and enjoy their sauna, steam room and even snow room if you are brave enough!

If you are booking in for a spa treatment they offer a range of options – I had a 60-minute full body massage using locally sourced, sustainable products from partner Ishga (absolutely love this brand). You can also build your own bespoke spa packages with multi-sensory treatments and two-course meals at isag. Overnight spa retreats are also available, combining relaxation with an indulgent stay.

Breakfast

Each morning, breakfast is served in iasg, with the restaurant’s private dining turned into a buffet station of eggs, hot breakfast items, cereals, fruits, pastries and cold cuts. Mix and match between the buffet and the à la carte offerings for a delightful start to the day.

Pet Friendly

Call us crazy but we have started travelling with our cats (read more here) which is actually easier than you think thanks to hotels like Kimpton. Kimpton was one of the very first global hotel brands to the pet party when it instituted a non-speciesist policy that welcomed all animals, of all sizes, at every hotel. The Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa follows this ethos and allows you to bring a furry, feathery or scaly family member no matter their size, weight, or breed, at no extra charge. If your pet fits through the front door, they will welcome them in along with supplying all the goodies you need to keep your pet pampered.

Pets receive a genuinely warm welcome from the staff and in fact when we were there we noticed two or three other guests who also had their pet dogs with them, there is also a dog-walking service available. Staff had also kindly left a high-quality pet bed, bowl and toys in our room too.

Additionally, there isn’t a charge or increased deposit (which some hotels do in relation to their pet policy). However, and understandably the hotel reserves the right to bill your credit card if your pet decides to have a Rolling Stones moment and go on a room-wrecking spree.

Final Thoughts

Our visit to the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel has left us in no doubt that this is one of our favourite luxury hotels in which we have stayed (and we have been to a lot now). Its discreet luxury vibe along with offering everything you need means you do not need to (or want to!!) leave the hotel, so book it for your next spa weekend away you won’t be disappointed. The hotel is listed on our guide to the best luxury hotels in Scotland and without doubt it is one of the best spa hotels in Scotland.