Voco Grand Central, Glasgow – Hotel Review

By Graham Clark, January 2026

Over the years, the list of famous people who have stayed at the Grand Central in Glasgow is a distinguished one; from Hollywood icons such as Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, to politicians like Winston Churchill, as well as music stars Mick Jagger, John Lennon and Frank Sinatra, to name a few. Portraits of these and others are proudly displayed on a wall inside the hotel, adjacent to the opulent Champagne Central bar and restaurant.

Opening in 1883 as a British Railway hotel, the historic building underwent a £20 million revamp when it was taken over by the InterContinental Hotel Group, reopening in 2021 under the Voco brand. It combines the charm of an independent hotel with the global scale of a major hotel brand.

Thankfully, they have kept all the original features of the hotel, such as the grand chandelier. At 23 metres tall, it is still one of the tallest in Western Europe, illuminating the main staircase of the hotel in the process.

“Take in the atmosphere”

Invariably, it tends to rain a lot in Glasgow, though as the hotel has its own separate entrance from Glasgow Central, brollies can safely be put away.

The Voco Grand Central has an air of elegance, charm and distinction that you feel straight away as you enter the hotel reception area. Large sofas with inviting, comfy cushions entice the traveller to sit down and take in the atmosphere and grandeur of the hotel.

After a long journey, a welcoming and friendly Scottish greeting was assured, along with the gift of shortbread biscuits, as my hotel key card was handed over.

Accommodation ranges from Cosy Rooms to Suites. Most branded hotel rooms tend to look a little corporate, though not in the case of my Premium King Double Room, which had a homely feel.

“Impressive”

The rooms are big and spacious and include an extremely comfortable king-size bed with quality bedding. I had one of the best nights’ sleep in weeks. Thankfully, the large television came on a swivel, so that you could watch your favourite programmes not just from the bed, but also whilst sat in one of the two comfy chairs.

Plenty of good hanging space was assured in the wardrobe. Too many times, hotels seem to think ladies’ dresses or men’s long coats do not want to hang freely, usually blocked off by a set of drawers in the wardrobe. On the other side of the large wardrobe were the ironing board and iron, along with bathrobes and slippers.

A good selection of tea and coffee was provided, but there was no Nespresso coffee machine, which would have upped the game, as would having a fridge in the room. Believe it or not, the temperature in Glasgow during the summer can reach the high twenties.

The heating control appeared to have a mind of its own, but once mastered it worked exceptionally well. Impressive too were the copious plugs and USB ports, and the free WiFi, which was as fast as a Shanghai bullet train.

“Luxurious touch”

The bathroom was big too, about half the size of the bedroom. Thankfully, they have decided to install a proper bath, not one of the fashionable roll-top baths that, once you are in, you can’t always get out of due to their depth unless someone comes to your aid.

With the hotel being so close to the railway station, as you soak away in the bath, the train announcements can be heard softly in the background, which added a sense of purpose to where you were actually staying.

The rain shower above the bath had the pressure and force of the Niagara waterfalls, with impulsive temperature controls. The Antipodes toiletries added a further luxurious touch.

It was pleasing too to find a vanity mirror in the bathroom, always useful for a close shave or for someone to apply make-up.

“Upmarket feel”

Breakfast can be taken on the basement floor in the breakfast room, buffet style, but if you really want a touch of elegance from 10.00am to 2.00pm, you can have brunch at Champagne Central, where the main bar and one of the rooms overlook the central concourse of the railway station.

A full Scottish breakfast is currently priced at £13.50 and would set any hungry stomach up for the day. Campbell’s square sausage, Ramsay of Carluke bacon and some seriously spicy haggis, tomato, mushroom, tattie scone, Stornoway black pudding, free-range egg, baked beans and toast were all cooked to order. Naturally, a cup of coffee came with some shortbread.

On weekend lunchtimes, Champagne Central becomes a meeting place for Glaswegians who tend to dress rather smartly for the occasion, giving the restaurant an even more upmarket feel.

If you need a good quality four-star hotel with excellent service, attention to detail and where quality seems to be a byword, Voco Grand Central is a smart choice.

• Included: An overnight stay upgraded to a King Premium room, brunch for two (£14 allowance per person), a glass of Prosecco each and a late checkout so you can take your time and truly unwind.
• January to April: £119 mid-week and £139 weekend.
• The Grand Getaway can be redeemed by purchasing a voucher via SKChase at https://thegrandcentralhotel.skchase.com/vouchers
  , then quoting the gift voucher ID reference when reserving with voco Grand Central directly using the contact details shown on the voucher certificate.
• Promotion is available from 1/10/2025 to 30/4/2026 (exclusions apply).
• ihg.com/voco/hotels/gb/en/glasgow

Graham Clark( Writer )

Graham was born and raised in Keighley. A dedicated live music enthusiast, he has attended hundreds of concerts across the North and feels fortunate to have Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester within easy reach — all key stops on major touring circuits. He has also supported Bradford Live, the upcoming 4,000-capacity venue opening in autumn 2025, helping to secure backing from some of the biggest names in live entertainment. Passionate about food, Graham draws on his background in hospitality to offer honest, experience-led insights in his reviews. He’s also a keen traveller, having explored extensively throughout Europe, America and Asia.

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