Hilton Garden Inn Glasgow City Centre

The hotel was lovely, the location was great, and during my four-day stay I thought it would become my go-to place in Glasgow. Then I checked out and found I had been charged more than FIVE TIMES the room rate I'd preauthorized, about £1,000 more than I expected for a two-night stay. I'd booked two nights through my Hilton account, then realised after the first day that I needed two more. I couldn't extend online, so I asked at reception. Michael was very helpful and said he could add the nights directly. I specifically checked whether they'd be at the same rate I'd paid, and he said yes. I wasn't asked to sign anything or shown a bill, but didn't think much of that. At checkout nobody showed me one either, they just said it had been emailed. When I looked at the bill that afternoon, one of the extra nights was about £500 and the second nearly £700. Nobody had told me about that nightly rate, let alone got my permission for it. I called the hotel right away. The person I spoke to said they'd call back after talking with Michael, but nobody did, and I couldn't get through despite calling all day the next day.

The river view is lovely and the location is great. The room was small but still decent. My main problem was the pillows. They were so soft that it was hard to sleep, and when I asked for firmer ones, they only had extremely soft pillows. Shame, since the rest of the stay was good.

The staff were super nice and helpful, and breakfast was good quality, though I would have liked more bread and cold food choices. The shower had good pressure and instant hot water. We booked a twin room for three nights to go to the Deftones show at the OVO Hydro, choosing this place for its quiet riverside location and price after comparing nearby hotels. The room was a little small for two, but we packed light, so it wasn't a big deal. We got a Venue view rather than the River view, which was fine, though nothing special from the first floor. The beds were comfortable but narrow, and the pillows were good. Everything worked except the air conditioning, which sometimes felt a little cold even at the highest setting. For fellow gym rats, the gym is open 24 hours, which I always appreciate. There's no bench press or bar, and the dumbbells only go up to 18kgs, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a dual adjustable pulley station. It saved my workouts. I'd recommend the hotel if you're after a calm spot away from the city centre hassle, with nice views and still within walking distance of town.

Being right by Finnieston Quay makes this a top choice for a Glasgow visit. The rooms are modern, comfortable and consistently clean. Check-in is always a highlight, the team are incredibly friendly and make you feel welcome straight away. Breakfast is worth having, with a great selection and particularly tasty haggis. The breakfast crew deserve a special mention too. They're professional and attentive, and keep things moving smoothly even when it's busy.