Merchant City - Quirk and Cool Apartment

On August 8, 2025, at 3:50 PM, my family and I were at Merchant City Inn. The hotel manager kept us waiting at reception for about two hours. He told us to leave and come back in an hour, though we stayed nearby. When we returned, he spoke loudly and disrespectfully again. My 7-year-old was very frightened and ended up sleeping on the sofas because of it. The manager showed no regard for my family’s comfort or well-being. The incident was captured on the hotel’s CCTV, and I also have a video of it. I sincerely hope management takes this seriously and acts to prevent this kind of behaviour in future.

I stayed for a week and found the room the worst I’ve ever had, with the rudest hotel management I’ve seen. The view was deeply depressing, and the hotel felt dark and dilapidated. I couldn’t even take a proper shower. Don’t waste your money here.

The location puts you close to the attractions, but the area didn’t feel especially clean or safe to me. The rooms are plain and just functional, though the shower had good water pressure. Staff were polite without being warm, and noise carried on after the bars had closed. The beds and pillows were really uncomfortable. Unless you’re here for Glasgow’s bar scene and don’t mind sacrificing comfort, I don’t think it’s worth the price when similarly priced places are more comfortable.

I loved the atmosphere here, even with the many curved stairs and no lift, so be ready to carry your case. The place is clean and stylish, with real wood floors and lovely lighting. It’s just off Argyle St, around the corner from GOMA, which is a great location. There’s no food on site, but thankfully no noisy bar either. The receptionist was friendly and efficient, and assumed guests might arrive early and leave luggage in the big room where he could keep an eye on it. I also liked having to request room cleaning. In 2022, we really shouldn’t be washing towels and cleaning rooms when it isn’t needed.