I went to the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) on a short city break from my home in Aberdeen - it turned out to be a pretty good decision...
___________________________________________________ Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) - Right in the Heart of the City _____________________________________________________
Visitors to Glasgow will find this the perfect base from which to see the sights. It is next to the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre and virtually next door to the huge 7 floor UGC cinema. (This gets very busy in the evenings, so I would advise placing a booking earlier in the day.) The Burrell Collection is within walking distance. It's especially handy for a short city break when you don't have much time to travel from the hotel into the city centre. There is, however, less easy access to new visitor attractions such as the Imax cinema and Science Centre.
___________________________________________________ Average Rooms at the Holiday InnExpress (Glasgow) _____________________________________________________
The rooms and facilities at the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) are typical of a global chain and, though not excellent, are adequate for staying the night. The twin rooms consist of two single beds placed side by side and a desk by the window. The double rooms have the addition of a sofa (this may be a sofa bed in some cases). Amenities include:
*A decently sized en-suite bathroom. This has a toilet, shower cubicle and large sink area with razor socket and mirror. No extractor fan though, so it gets very steamed up.
The TV reception is TERRIBLE (the picture is very fuzzy), though I doubt you'll be watching it that much with so many things to see and do. Make use of the ice machine downstairs - it's free! Also be warned that the hotel seems to be built on an underground railway line - the building shakes and rumbles slightly every fifteen to twenty minutes. This should not be a problem for most, but light sleepers should be prepared and come armed with earplugs. The laundry and cleaning services are very efficient.
_________________________________________________ Good Security at the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) ___________________________________________________
Access to your room is gained by sliding a magnetic strip card(looks like a credit card) through a slot on your door handle. The cleaners have access to all rooms. The Buchanan Galleries car park has CCTV surveillance and is very well lit. There is a much closer car park (just opposite the hotel), but it isn't so secure.
____________________________________________________ Below Average Food at the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) ____________________________________________________
Breakfast is included in the price and consists of a few rolls, some cereals, some fruit and toast. It's not gourmet, but it's fine for a few days.
While we're on the subject of food, the restaurant attached to the hotel ("Pronto") is very poor, as are their pizzas, which are advertised in your hotel room. Instead, have a wander around the city center - there are hundreds of good quality bars and restaurants catering for all tastes. Fish fans can travel a short distance by car (about 10 minutes, depending on traffic) to "Harry Ramsden's" for a reasonably-priced cod and chips.
__________________________________________________ Not Great for Wheelchairs __________________________________________________
Despite what the Holiday Inn may claim, the elevators are small and the rooms are a little too small for easy wheelchair access. The double rooms will give you slightly more room to maneuver than the twins.
___________________________________________________ Cheapest in the Area _____________________________________________________
The only other large hotel in the vicinity of the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) is the Buchanan Hotel. Its latest rates are about £42 per person per night, whereas the Holiday Inn will give you a twin room for about £56 (prices subject to change - so I advise you check). The Buchanan Hotel also adds a single supplement of about £17 if you are staying alone. Like the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow), it's a three star, so you don't gain anything in terms of quality by paying a higher price.
___________________________________________________ Reasonably Priced Car Park _____________________________________________________
Guests at the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) pay £5 to use the Buchanan Galleries car park, as they don't have a car park of their own. This is a good saving on the standard parking price. But beware - it is a bit of a walk from the hotel.
_______________________________________________ The Verdict on the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) _________________________________________________
The Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) is not for the traveler seeking Scottish tranquility, but it is ideal for short stay and business users. The breakfast isn't wonderful and the "rumbling" noises can become a little irritating - big eaters and light sleepers beware! Apart from a few minor flaws, though, the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) is a great hotel in a perfect location. Recommended!
....By the way, you will save money if you join the Holiday Inn Priority club on their website. Joining is free and you get a discount. You will also be given a greater choice of rooms (some seem to be reserved for members of the club). Members are allowed to enter the room at two o'clock in the afternoon, rather than the usual four o'clock (but I advise checking with the hotel first).
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FINAL NOTE (added April 2003): I recently stayed in the Holiday Inn Express (Glasgow) but was given a "back" room instead of a front one (ie. one that doesn't face the road). It was much quieter than staying on the front. If you do get the choice, I'd opt for one of the back-facing rooms.
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Jun 12th, 2002
(Apr 26th, 2003)
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