AC Hotel Glasgow opens its doors

The 245-room AC Hotel Glasgow from AC Hotels by Marriott has opened its doors. The new George Street hotel is part of the £100m Love Loan development which involves the transformation of an entire block off Glasgow’s George Square into a “thriving leisure and residential neighbourhood” that will include bars, restaurants, health and well-being facilities, and Scotland’s first Soho House private members club. AC Hotel Glasgow has seen the restoration of the 120-year-old Grade A listed, Victorian former city Parish Halls into 22 ‘heritage’ suites with “sensitively reinstated” period features. The heritage building includes a sweeping stone staircase, period cornicing, a glass ceiling dome, and a stained-glass window depicting Glasgow’s coat of arms inspired by the legend of St Mungo. The heritage part of the project links with a contemporary building designed by Hoskins Architects. The new building, which fills an 80-year-old empty site on the corner of George Street and John Street, features panoramic views from upper floors. The AC Lounge, a multi-functional space within the hotel, is designed in AC Hotel by Marriott’s “signature purposeful, simplistic, and elegant style”. It includes seating areas, and a bar where guests and visitors can enjoy drinks, light bites, and food from a curated bar menu. Neighbouring the AC Lounge is Hazel, a new 100-seat restaurant led by French head chef Eric Avenier. The restaurant offers plates influenced by the Mediterranean, created using Scottish ingredients, over breakfast, lunch and dinner. An express lunch menu will also be available. Other facilities include the AC Library, a self-service business centre, space for collaboration, and complimentary WiFi. The hotel also includes AC Fitness, a 24/7 gym, yoga facilities, and free weights. The AC Hotel Glasgow, operated by RBH Hospitality Management, is situated 150 metres from Glasgow Queen Street Station and minutes from some of the city’s most visited areas and attractions including the Gallery of Modern Art. Craig Munro, GM of the new hotel, said: “This is a special day for all involved in bringing the AC Hotel Glasgow to life. The embodiment of AC Hotels’ ‘perfectly precise hotelTM’ mantra, its perfect marriage of heritage, history, and contemporary style adds a new dimension to Glasgow’s hotel offering and will provide guests with the highest standard of accommodation when they visit one of the most exciting cities in Europe. “Hazel, led by Eric Avenier, one of the city’s most reputed chefs, adds a new destination restaurant to the city’s culinary scene, and will add to the truly memorable experience at AC Hotel.”