WHERE TO STAY IN GLASGOW - Edinburgh and Glasgow - page 172

Rab Ha's Similar in size to the Babbity (see below), this small boutique hotel
above a popular and urbane pub has a quartet of overnight rooms. They feature dark
slate flooring in the bathrooms, specially commissioned glass, photographic prints,
and flat-screen televisions. The location in Merchant City, southeast of George
Square, is excellent for the city center.
81 Hutcheson St., Glasgow G1 1SH. & 0141/572-0400. Fax [phone]. www.rabhas.com. 4 units
£80-£90 double with continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking on street. Underground: Buchanan
St. Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room: TV, MP3 dock, Wi-Fi.
Inexpensive
Babbity Bowster Housed in a reconstructed late-18th-century “five-bay
house,” the Babbity Bowster is a small inn, pub, and restaurant with plenty of char-
acter. The guest rooms are modest if reasonably well appointed, and there is no
lobby for residents. But the Babbity Bowster is designed to appeal to travelers who
do not spend too much time in their rooms or lolling about hotel lounges. The
ground-level pub of the same name (p. 241) is convivial and notably civilized, with
a sheltered beer garden.
16-18 Blackfriars St. (off High St.), Glasgow G1 1PE. & 0141/552-5055. Fax [phone] units. £60
double. AE, MC, V. Free parking. Train: High St. Bus: 40. Amenities: Restaurant; bar.
Premier Inn Backing onto a peaceful old churchyard, this former tax office (Mon-
trose House) is a branch of the inexpensively priced Premier Inn chain. As such, it
is functional if not full of character and individuality. Rooms that overlook the kirk-
yard are preferable to those facing busy George Street and the Strathclyde University
parking lot across the road.
187 George St., Glasgow G1 1YU. & 0870/238-3320. Fax [phone]. www.premierinn.com. 254
units. £65 double without breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking on street. Underground: Buchanan St.
Amenities: Restaurant; bar. In room: TV, hair dryer.

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COMMERCIAL CENTER
Very Expensive
Hilton Glasgow Hotel Glasgow's first-class Hilton is centrally located but
oddly situated, towering over the M8 freeway. Still, it is a dignified and modern
hotel, one that has a good deal of class and shine. Many of the numerous overnight
rooms—plush and conservative—offer fine city views. The spa facilities include a
15-m (49-ft.) pool. Dining options include a casual New York deli-style buffet, Min-
sky's, as well as the posh Camerons with first-rate and expensive modern Scottish
cuisine.
1 William St., Glasgow G3 8HT. & 800/445-8667 in the U.S. and Canada, or 0141/204-5555. Fax
0141/204-5004. www.hilton.co.uk/glasgow. 331 units. £140-£200 double with breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V.
Parking £5. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; babysitting; concierge; exercise room; indoor pool; room
service; sauna; massage. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, hair dryer, Internet, minibar.