Virgin Hotels has opened its second European property, Virgin Hotels Glasgow, in the city centre on the Broomielaw side of the river Clyde, with a promise to ‘redefine the concept of luxury accommodation’.
Open to the public from Friday, 18th August, the hotel’s interior design is said to ‘pay homage’ to Glasgow’s shipbuilding and seafaring history, and makes maximum use of its views out across the river.
As well as high-end accommodation, the new hotel brings with it Virgin Hotels’ flagship restaurant and bar, Commons Club. Under the direction of Executive Chef Jean-Paul Giraud, the restaurant’s contemporary menu is said to draw inspiration from around the world, while the bar will be serving a selection of signature cocktails, alongside a wide range of Scottish whiskies, liquors, beer and wine.
On the mezzanine level of Commons Club, Virgin has created an all-day dining and entertainment destination titled ‘Highyard’, which offers views of the river Clyde from an elevated terrace.
With its retractable roof, this Highyard vantage point is destined to become the new ‘go-to spot’ for Glasgow’s socialites, said Virgin, whose promise to ‘paint the town red’ is either a reference to the Virgin brand’s livery colour – or acknowledgement that the new terrace venue is muscling into the high-vantage Clydeside territory first created by the nearby Radisson Red’s Skybar.
The new hotel also offers a selection of state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces, which can be adapted to suit social occasions or corporate gatherings, including the dynamic Bonnie and Clyde meeting rooms and a smaller, more intimate gathering space that Virgin in its wisdom has chosen to christen the ‘Shag Room’.
Virgin Hotels Collection CEO James Bermingham, described the new venue as a ‘remarkable addition to our growing family of hotels’.
“At Virgin Hotels, we are driven by our passion for delivering innovative design and heartfelt service, and our latest opening is no exception,” said Bermingham. “Every detail has been curated to reflect the dynamic and diverse essence of Glasgow, and we hope the property will not only be a home away from home, but a door to the incredible experiences within this exciting city.”
General Manager of Virgin Hotels Glasgow, Tom Gibson, was bullish about the new venue’s prospects: “Virgin Hotels Glasgow will redefine the concept of luxury accommodation, offering guests an unmatched level of service, exceptional culinary experiences, and a stunning setting overlooking the Clyde. We look forward to providing a memorable stay for our guests and becoming an integral part of Glasgow’s vibrant hospitality scene.”
Next year will see the opening of two further dining and drinking spaces within the hotel; the Funny Library Coffee Shop, and Rocks on Fox Street, a whisky bar that the company claims will ‘one of the finest whisky collections in Glasgow’.
Virgin Hotels Glasgow is the group’s second European destination, following the success of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh which officially opened in March this year, joining the roster of the group’s hotels worldwide, which includes locations in New York, Las Vegas, and Chicago.
As an introductory offer, Glasgow guests can experience each of the dining spaces with a 25% discount off the total food bill, valid on all lunch and dinner bookings until 30th September 2023.
