Room Service: The Arthouse Hotel, Glasgow

Set in a grand old Glasgow townhouse, with vast circling staircase and antique lift, the Arthouse Hotel was once the home of the local education board. The board moved out to more modern premises in 1999, leaving this elegant but ageing monolith to be converted into a stylish urban hotel.

The hotel opened three years ago, after a refit resulting in a dark, theatrical style (purple carpets run throughout; on some floors embossed copper lions cling to the walls and, at the bottom of the stairwell, an enormous fountain splashes away). And as you would guess from the name, the hotel's main feature is its modern-day art collection.

Not only does each room come with its own mini gallery, but the third-floor landing is a designated exhibition space for new work by students from Glasgow School of Art.

There's also a busy restaurant, a bar and a hair and beauty salon on site.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Pretty much bang in the centre of Glasgow, it's within 10 minutes' walk of the main shopping streets, bars and restaurants. The Arthouse Hotel, 129 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 2SY (0141-221 6789; www.arthousehotel.com).

Transport: Shops aside, most of the city's attractions are a bit further afield, but you can hop on the metro at nearby Buchanan Street.

Time to international airport: around 20 minutes (£16) by taxi or 30 (£3.50) by bus to Glasgow Airport.

ARE YOU LYING COMFORTABLY?

The 65 rooms are all fairly big and each boasts large, comfortable beds. The décor is an approximation of Art Deco, based on simple, chunky shapes and red and gold colours. The bathrooms are pristinely shiny with bright white tiles and equally snowy towels.

Freebies: lavender and tea-tree toiletries by a local firm, Arran Aromatics.

Keeping in touch: all rooms have satellite TVs, phones and modem points.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Standard rooms cost £110, junior suites £150 and executive suites £180. Breakfast is an extra £7.50.

I'm not paying that: Glasgow Youth Hostel (7-8 Park Terrace, 0141-332 3004; www.syha.org.uk) has en suite rooms from £10.50.