Voco Grand Central, Glasgow, Scotland

Not all the culture in Scotland is in Edinburgh. The Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland are all a short walk away, and the magnificent Burrell Collection, Kelvingrove Museum and Huntarian Gallery are a short hop on the bus. There's a useful Airport Express bus stop, too. Just along Hope Street, you'll find La Laterna, Glasgow's oldest and favourite Italian restaurant, seemingly unchanged for more than 50 years.

By plane: flights from London to Glasgow take 1 hour 15 minutes. The hotel is a 25-minute drive. Parking costs £13.50 per day. Book flights to Glasgow.

By train: 4 hours 30 minutes from London and 3 hours from Manchester. The hotel is a one-minute walk from Glasgow Central station. Book trains to Glasgow.

The romance of train travel and grand hotels may have gone, but the ghosts of its heyday linger in the low-lit reception, extravagantly wide marble staircase, lofty ceilings and the warm, honey-coloured pine panelling so cherished by the Victorians.

Service is always willing if slightly haphazard throughout the hotel. Information can be hard to come by, too, so you'll need to swat up on the hotel website. Happily, there is a concierge always on hand who will tell you what's what, sort you out and generally make things happen.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Pet-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

There are plenty of choices of room, and two suites. You'll get the basics: robe and slippers, a safe, kettle, tea bags/instant coffee and a (tiny) shortbread biscuit. The look is clean and calm in classy shades of taupe, white and stormy blue, continuing in smart bathrooms.

Room types: Single, Standard, Premium, Standard Loft, Premium Deluxe, Two-bed Premium Deluxe, Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, hairdryer, tea and coffee facilities, desk, flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi

Look down on commuters on the station while you sip a cocktail or one of 22 champagnes, accompanied by east-meets-west small plates, ranging from black pudding and haggis bonbons to slow-roasted char siu pork belly. At breakfast expect a basic hot and cold buffet with fetch-it-yourself tea and coffee.

Champagne Central Lounge: small plates and sharing boards. Open daily from 10am. Afternoon tea served 12-4pm.

The Restaurant: buffet and à la carte breakfast served daily from 7am.