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Review rated by 51 Ciao members on average: very helpful
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I am not sure about the rest of you, but Ciao appear to have had a blitz on listing my new products recently after nearly a 2 month wait, although still can’t find the HI Express in Coventry, but that’s another story.
The end of August, just after the bank holiday and it was destination Glasgow (AGAIN). I was initially going to stay in Jurys hotel, but thought in the interest of my fellow ciao’ers that I would try something different, and the hunt was on.
Regular searching of www.laterooms.com disappointingly couldn’t find anything spectacular within my price range, and on this occasion it was Active Hotels that came to the rescue.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION If you are attending a concert, exhibition or conference at the SECC then you will not go far wrong with the Glasgow Moat. Not only is it directly behind it, there is a covered walkway between the two venues.
Situated on the edge of the River Clyde, the hotel is about a mile from the city centre and a similar distance from the city’s salubrious West End, it is also a stone’s throw away from the motorway network.
A taxi from the airport in one of the infamous white vehicles will set you back about £18, and with a normal black cab about £15, make sure you agree a fee before setting out.
But what about the hotel itself? I hear you scream. If you are anything like me, you could be forgiven from thinking you are being transported back in time upon arrival, website images cleverly mask the smoked glass 16 storey building so you are not immediately clear it belongs to the hotel. I am not a big fan of high-rise buildings and therefore check-in was with some trepidation.
Arrival into reception was through high glass rotating doors into a large, high ceiling area home to the check-in desk, a small shop, bar, three lifts and restaurants.
CHECK-IN This was surprisingly slow, and while it was clear that guests were being given the utmost attention, it was very frustrating for those waiting, like me, particularly when there was lots of other
staff milling around apparently doing nothing.
I was required to complete my personal details on a check-in card, sign it, and swipe my credit card to allow me to charge things to my room. One thing that should be noted about the Glasgow Moat House, is that in common with the rest of their chain, they offer high speed wireless internet access. However, availability cannot be guaranteed in all rooms. I was quite adamant at reception that I had booked this hotel primarily for the internet access and insisted on it being available in my room.
Despatched with my luggage and room key card, I was somewhat shocked to discover I had been placed on the 15th floor, although in fairness the lifts were fast, reliable, and there always seemed to be one available. You should also note that the lift on the far right hand side (looking from reception) has an external glass wall and you will get a bird’seye view of the city as you fly skywards.
THE ROOM Decked out in a medium brown wood with lots of mirrors, it was fairly standard hotel fayre, even with the posher chains these days one looks just like another, apart from the 7 foot bed, wow, you could have a party in that. I was distressed to find that 3 out of the 6 pillows were feather, and were quickly shoved into the cupboard, but it didn’t completely remove my allergy and did cause me a few problems. Bedding was sheets and blankets and room lights were in abundance. The room was, as expected en-suite, with a toilet, bath, power shower and sink. A hairdryer was supplied, iron and board were available on request, and delivered quickly despite the 15 floor journey. There was a large drawer storage area and double cupboards and a small tea and coffee making area and an ice bucket. The ice dispenser was strategically placed, I am glad to say, in the corridor outside my room.
There was remote controlled colour TV and a desk area, which presented a BIG problem, the TV was in one direction, the desk facing another. TV channels were the usual standard offerings of common terrestrial channels and Sky Sport, and Video channels could be purchased for £7.95 for 24 hours, or £12.95 for a pizza, beer and a video channel. Line-ups vary from day to day, but include the smutty adult offerings.
There were no proper chairs and the comfort chairs provided gave me a wonderful crick in the neck as I couldn’t reach the desk. A request to reception for a proper chair fell on deaf ears, a second request found me provided with 6 additional cushions, but this didn’t really solve the problem. There was also a small round glass table in the room, and this ended up becoming my crutch for working, covered with copious magazines to enable my mouse to work.
I was quite distressed to discover that the window did not open, being someone averse to sleeping in an unventilated room. There was however air conditioning which actually worked, although it took about three hours to get the temperature down to a suitable level, and it remained on for the duration of my stay, not a good sleep inducer.
The view from the room is worth mentioning, it was fantastic, a birds eye view of the bustling city in the day, and a maze of glowing lights and activity at night, superb. Sadly, it was really difficult to take pictures because of the reflection of the glass, even with the lights out.
FOOD For evening meals, I partook of room service. The first night I enjoyed a ham omelette with side salad, garlic bread (which they forgot to deliver) fries and a beer, it was very palatable and set me back around £12. The following night I decided to risk the steak, and it was awful, fatty, gristly and totally unsuitable for my delicate teeth.
Breakfast was buffet style, and service was poor. The orange juice containers were not replenished quickly enough, I had to ask three times for coffee and toast, no-one came to the table to offer, which for a 4 star outlet I find appalling.
The brekkie was the usual offerings of pastries, fruits, cereals, bacon, sausages, beans, mushrooms and soda bread. The areas were messy and the food virtually inedible, all being either over or undercooked and obviously standing for far too long.
The rate I had included breakfast, but I believe it was around £12.95 if not included, personally, I wouldn’t bother. I have come to the conclusion, having now stayed in 4 Glasgow hotels, that with the exception of the Milton, personally I wouldn’t waste your money and find a local café instead.
Drinks were not unreasonably priced, cocktails were a fixed price of £5 and a double G&T was around £7. As with the other Glasgow hotels I’ve used, the room water was a murky brown colour, and therefore I would advise you to either take bottled water with you, or buy it from the hotel shop rather than pay £1.50 in the bar.
LEISURE FACILITIES Every hotel has a reason for being awarded its status, and for this outlet the leisure facilities have to be it.
There was a large swimming pool, hot spa, Steam room and sauna, plus an extremely well equipped Gym, and totally free to use for residents. Towels are provided, however, they are small, and on the second day I was extremely naughty and sneaked the room towels down with me.
The storage lockers were a good size, with a dedicated area for shoes, and also clothes hangers, there was a communal changing area but also two private cubicles, showers, hairdryers, shampoo, shower gel, cotton buds, deodorant and hairspray, all well presented and the whole area was very clean, and best of all, not particularly busy.
The hotel offers qualified instruction and from what I witnessed see this extended to the pool as well as the gym, and they have a hair and beauty salon offering a wide range of beauty treatments (at extra cost of course).
CONFERENCE FACILITIES I can't comment on these, but the hotel has a total of 15 meeting and conference rooms accommodating up to 800 people
OTHER FEATURES There is on-site parking at the hotel, there is also wireless internet access provided by Swisscom, but if you particularly require the latter, then you must be explicit in your booking, and it is not available in all rooms. Vouchers can be purchased from reception, although it is cheaper to buy online at www.eurospot.com – ½ hour will set you back £3, a full 24 hours, £17, although be aware that these vouchers are valid for that period from the first log-in, NOT a total of 24 hours online.
There was also a small shop in reception selling refreshments, cigarettes and touristy things, unsurprising really, as it seemed I was one of the few British guests in the hotel, the remainder appearing American.
There is supposedly a constant taxi rank outside the hotel, but leaving just after the rush hour, I had to wait some 15 minutes despite assurances from reception that I would get one instantly.
RATES The rack rate for a standard room is £140, an executive with Breakfast £159 and a suite £210, although I paid £140 for two nights bed and breakfast.
The hotel however is quoting £159 single and £179 double with £25 charge for a Crown Upgrade which offers dressing gowns, fruit bowl and free newspapers.
This hotel does book up quickly because of its superb vicinity to the SECC (home to many concerts and conferences) and the covered walkway between the hotel and the venue.
BOOKING & CONTACT DETAILS Glasgow Moat House Hotel Congress Road Glasgow Strathclyde G3 8QT
Telephone:0141 306 9988
For weekend bookings try their website: www.moathousehotels.com
For best booking deals outside weekends and other busy periods visit: www.laterooms.com or www.activehotels.com.
SUMMARY Would I stay there again? Possibly if I could get a good rate, although, I still prefer the Milton just down the road.
Rated E as I feel you covered everything possible in the review. I have been to conferences at this hotel but have not stayed as my flat is at the other side of the footbridge (15 minute walk!) across the clyde near the reception! Surprised at the food though, though it would be better. drew
by (12%):
by (88%):
24.10.2005 13:07
This hotel is changing to a Crowne Plaza apparently
28.12.2004 18:19
nice one
25.10.2004 18:05
Rated E as I feel you covered everything possible in the review. I have been to conferences at this hotel but have not stayed as my flat is at the other side of the footbridge (15 minute walk!) across the clyde near the reception! Surprised at the food though, though it would be better. drew