Glasgow is Scotland's largest City with the centre having a population of 578,790. The City is divided into several main districts; City centre, Merchant City, West End, East End, Southside and North Glasgow. Choosing where to base your stay could be confusing without a little guidance and insider knowledge. So, below are some highlights form the Belgrave Hotel to show you why with all this choice you should choose hotel accommodation in Glasgow's West End as the base for your holiday?

1) Architecture
Glasgow City was home to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Alexander 'Greek' Thomson. All around the City you can find examples of their work, from the Glasgow School of Art in Garnethill to the now University halls in the West End's Oakfield Avenue. You can take several walking routes to discover the wonderful Georgian and Victorian architure that dominates Glasgow. One of our favourite walks is around Glasgow University and then down through Kelvingrove park to the Kelvingrove Museum (they don't do a bad coffee in there either!)

2) Bars, Restaurants and Funnies
Byres Road and Ashton lane are the traditional tourist spots in the West End for food and bars although Partick and Kelvinside are worth exploring too. Ashton Lane is a pretty little lane close to the University and surrounded by lively bars with lots of outside seating for those hot summer nights and only a five minute walk from the Belgrave Hotel! Of particular note is Bar Brel purely for it's fantastic beer menu and Ubiquitous Chip, for traditional Scottish and British food. Up at the North of Byres Road is the Oran Mor which is great for lunch or for the club as the day progresses. The Oran Mor is also a great place to finish a night given that its almost next door to the our hotel.

If you're in need of a chuckle then look no further than the Stand Comedy Club which has been host to a host of Scottish based comedians from Des Clark to Fred MacAulay to Frankie Boyle. Take our advice and don't sit too close to the front!

3) Parks, Peace and chillin' oot!
Right beside Glasgow University is Kelvingrove Park. Approaching the park from University Avenue guides you down Kelvin Way, a beautiful tree lined street that takes you over the River Kelvin. You can exit Kelvin Way at several points and go into Kelvingrove Park. Exiting West will quickly give you a view of the university with Sir George Gilbert Scott' spire proudly on display. Also to the West is the Kelvingrove Museum and the Transport Museum.

The West End is a great place to stay for a chill out weekend with its relaxed atmosphere, attractions and mass of bohemian cafes, bars and restaurants. Staying in the West End gives you a true taste of Glasgow and is far more relaxing due to the peaceful surrounds than accommodation right in the centre of Glasgow.

4) Attractions
There are far too many attractions in the West End so here are the Belgrave Hotel's favourites:
Kelvingrove Museum – The 'back to front' museum
Transport Museum - Everything from boats to trams on display
Botanic Gardens -  Good for an afternoon stroll or if the weather is good, a picnic on the grass!
Grosvenor Cinema – A cinema with cosy couches.
West End Festival – A mardi Gras parade in Glasgow!

5) Transport
With buses from every direction and on average every 10 mins and Train or Tube stations in abundance transport to and from the West End is a doddle. Walking from Sauchiehall St along Great Western Road to the top of Byres Road should take no more than 30mins and a taxi should take no more than fifteen (five on a good day!) Glasgow's longest and straightest road is Great Western Road. It is 3 miles long and stretches from St George's Cross, intersects Byres Road (with the Botanic Gardens to the North) and carries on up to Anniesland. Great Western Road is lined with terraced houses, many of which are seperated from the road by trees and is is a good choice for your Glasgow Hotel accommodation. We can arrange taxi tours for you from the Hotel to leave you free to explore the rest of Glasgow or up to Loch Lomond.