Travel: No 10 Hotel, Glasgow

STANDING in the big bay window of No 10, looking across to Glasgow’s Queen’s Park, where dog walkers and joggers bound across the huge swathes of grass, it’s possible to forget you’re in the heart of Scotland’s biggest city.

No 10 Queens Drive, Glasgow. Picture: Contributed

Yet this four-star boutique hotel on the Southside is only minutes from a station that will take you right into the centre, making it an ideal place to stay for gigs, shopping, the football around the corner at Hampden, a blast of culture, or even just a walk in the park.

Comprising two converted Victorian mansions, the hotel is boutique without encroaching on original features. There are beautiful original stained glass windows in the rooms and vestibules, and cornices and ceiling roses aplenty. Money has clearly been spent landscaping the gardens and building a terrace to accommodate seating outside for drinks and dining should the sun smile on you. If it doesn’t, the friendly and helpful staff certainly will.

No 10 has recently launched its new restaurant and bar which is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, light bites, afternoon tea and dinner, with an à la carte and bar classics menu of timeless dishes.

WINING AND DINING

With a wedding reception elsewhere to get to we were on a tight time schedule and our waiter accepted the challenge gratefully. He had others ready to jump into our still-warm seats when we left, so our meals were served up fast and piping hot. No 10 has already established a reputation for its food, and the meals served up in the bar and dining annex reveal a confident chef showcasing the best of Scotland’s produce. It’s not every hotel bar and restaurant where you can enjoy deconstructed Cullen skink (leek and onion purée, smoked haddock croquettes, fondant potatoes and a potato foam).

From the adventurous à la carte menu we were presented with a pleasing clash of taste, colour and texture in a roast beetroot and feta filo basket and beautifully arranged scallops and king prawns. This was followed by mains of plaice and smoked salmon with a rich scallop butter sauce and a light on texture, deep on flavour mushroom and asparagus lasagne. Finally, a rhubarb panna cotta, topped off with a coconut and ginger wafer, was unnecessary but delicious. All of this was accompanied by homemade bread and a zesty West 4 lager from the microbrewery on Glasgow Green.

Breakfast next morning was served buffet-style in the dining room with staff on hand to bring as much fresh toast and tea and coffee as required. The views over the gardens, park and terrace on a sunny morning made for a tranquil start to the day.

BUDGET OR BOUTIQUE?

Boutique in a Victorian setting, with boutique prices.

ROOM SERVICE

There are 26 rooms and suites, which are about to undergo upgrades, with 24-hour internet access, TV, toiletries in the en-suites and a hospitality tray with tea/coffee making facilities. Our spotless suite was a former drawing room of one of the mansions overlooking the hotel’s gardens and Queen’s Park beyond, and was so big it almost dwarfed the furniture, which included a comfortable king-sized bed, wardrobe, desk unit and sofa. The en-suite bathroom had both shower and bath and plenty of toiletries to splash around.

WORTH GETTING OUT OF BED FOR

There’s Queen’s Park, The Burrell Collection, Hampden Park, with the National Football Museum, and The Citizens’ Theatre. With a station nearby, the hotel is only 10 minutes from the city centre and Glasgow’s cultural, shopping and foodie haunts are all waiting to be explored. The SECC and The Hydro are only 15 minutes away thanks to easy road access.

LITTLE EXTRAS

Tea-making facilities and biscuits were more than welcome and made up for the lack of an overpriced mini bar. There is free on-site parking.

GUESTBOOK COMMENTS

A peaceful location away from the city centre, yet within easy reach, with spacious accommodation, amenable staff and food you couldn’t fault.

FACT FILE

Bed and breakfast starts from £125 in a classic room; £135 in a club room; £165 in an executive room. Bar and restaurant: à la carte menu, starters from £5.95-£12.95, mains £9.95-£26, sides £2.95, desserts £3.95-£4.95; bar classics menu, starters £3.95-£6.25, mains £10.95-£16.95. Number 10 Hotel, 10-16 Queen’s Drive, Glasgow G42 8BS (0141-424 0160, www.10hotel.co.uk)