Karen Peattie pops into the Glasgow hotel that everyone’s talking about and falls in love with the fantastic RED Sky Bar
AFTER watching the hotel being built over many months the Radisson RED Glasgow has opened its doors in Glasgow to great acclaim.
The 174-room Radisson RED Glasgow is the first new-build Radisson RED property to open in Europe. Located in the heart of the city’s music and art scene – just a short walk from The SSE Hydro – the hotel provides an ideal base from which to explore the city.
With its RED Sky Bar, Glasgow’s first rooftop bar, the hotel’s owners say they are ready to shake up the UK’s hotel scene and inject new life into the Scottish hospitality scene through its focus on informal services, the latest technology and bold design.
From keyless entry to self check-in and check-out, technology features heavily throughout the hotel. Managed through the RED app, guests can do everything from requesting extra pillows to arranging a group ride to airport. They can even chat to other guests and find out where the best gigs are in town that night.
Michael Weston is responsible for all operations at the hotel. “The RED experience is different,” he said. “We encourage laughter, playfulness and even a little mischief with guests, and we use our spaces as a showcase for some of the best local talent in art, design, music and fashion.
“We really hope people come to the hotel, love what they see, and come back again and again.”
Radisson RED Glasgow is the brand’s fifth hotel to open around the world, joining RED hotels in Brussels, Campinas in Brazil, Cape Town and Minneapolis. With prices starting at £99, the spacious rooms are where “natural materials meet colourful accents and eclectic design pieces”.
The bold wallpaper, designed by legendary Glasgow comic artist Frank Quitely, “creates a room that feels fun, modern and minimal, with smart in-room technology that’s ready to connect”.
On the ground floor there’s the OUIBar + KTCHN – the hotel’s food, drink and social hub serving great food, wine and chilled craft beers. Open all day and offering food on the go, this is the place for casual meetings, cocktails or a game of pool.
The hotel also has event and games studios where “high-spec technology meets playful design” and facilities can accommodate a range of events in three studios equipped with modern tech and super-fast WiFi.
Richard Moore, area senior vice-president for UK, Ireland and Western Europe at Radisson Hotel Group, said: “Radisson RED is bold and pushes the boundaries of the traditional hospitality experience, and I can’t think of a better fit for the UK’s first RED than the city of Glasgow.
“We’re genuinely excited to give people the opportunity to enjoy RED, and I feel confident that as well as having a fantastic product in a great location, we have the best team in place to deliver a memorable and RED experience for guests.”