Blythswood Square in Glasgow: C&IT's sneak preview

LOCATION: The former headquarters to the Royal Scottish Automobile Club has been acquired by Scottish boutique hotel group the Townhouse Collection, and transformed into a five-star hotel and spa. Located in Blythswood Square, one of the city's hottest addresses, the property is just ten minutes from Glasgow's two main train stations and a short drive from its International Airport. The SECC and National Stadium are around a half-hour drive away.

OVERVIEW: The building dates back to 1823, and became the headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club in 1899. Over time, the club acquired single houses along the eastern side of Blythswood Square until it owned the whole row, and then commissioned Scottish architect James Miller to redesign the whole terrace as the club headquarters in 1926.

Nearly a century on, it has been transformed into a boutique bolthole, retaining touches of the original premises including the decadent marble fireplaces, wood panelling and ornate ceilings. Harris Tweed, a trademark textile, is an aesthetic theme throughout the building with more than 40 different variations used across chairs, curtains and even restaurant menus. Blythswood Square aims to be one of Scotland's most environmentally friendly hotels and features renewable energy technologies to achieve reduced carbon emissions.

ACCOMMODATION: Blythswood Square houses 100 rooms, including six suites, and a penthouse, complete with its own private lift, terrace area and rooftop hot tub.

EVENTS SPACE: In keeping with its status as one of eight official starting points of the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally, Blythswood Square has a series of meeting spaces that pay heed to its automobile heritage. The Monte Carlo suite is bedecked with natural wooden floors, rich wood panelling and luxurious fabrics that come to life in daylight. It fits up to 52 delegates around one central table or five individual tables of ten.
A similar, though scaled-down, offering is the Club Room which seats up to 14 delegates, while a luxurious mini cinema can seat up to 45 guests and is ideal for private film screenings, product launches and corporate presentations. The hotel's 150-capacity restaurant and cocktail bar can also be used for events.

ADDED EXTRAS: Blythswood Square will house Glasgow's first luxury spa, a 930m2 space with ten treatment rooms, thermal suites, a vitality pool, relaxation suite and spa dining. Guests can also take afternoon tea in the 35-metre salon featuring two original fireplaces, columns and cornicing with views over the local area.

READY TO BOOK: The hotel opened on 26 October and claims to have secured a "high level of business" including corporate away-days and executive boardroom meetings. "The Townhouse Collection product has an excellent track record and, coupled with the bricks and mortar of such a famous building, makes it a very compelling boutique offer for the business market," says Maximillion managing director John Strachan. "It will be right up there at the top end of Glasgow's five-star hotel offer, providing stiff competition to the likes of Hotel Du Vin and Malmaison."

CONTACT: Event enquiries 0141 248 8888; email events@blythswoodsquare.com

This article was first published on Conference & Incentive Travel

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