By the time my husband and I arrived at the Victorian House, we had been to Aberdeen, Orkney, and Inverness, and had wonderful accommodations in each place. We weren't too optimistic with the Victorian since it's in Glasgow and our room only costs 60 pounds a night.
What a pleasant surprise! We were assigned to Room 39 on the first floor. It was a big, bright, south-facing room with high ceilings, a bay window, a closet, desk with drawers, a sitting area, and a modern bathroom. We were flabbergasted! We were expecting a cramped room and here we are in a suite that easily could have fit 2 queen beds with room to spare. To top it all, we had no neighbors (our window looks out to the terrace and Renfrew Street)) so we had absolute privacy and peace and quiet. Outside our window is a flowerbox with colorful blooms. I had to doublecheck at the front desk that we would still be charged 60 pounds for this room.
Breakfast the next day was another surprise. The dining room was lovely with a view of the garden. It was a buffet breakfast too! Guests could have as much toast, cereal, fruit, juice, tea, coffee, yogurt as they want. There is even an automatic coffee machine so we had cappuccino, latte, or espresso for breakfast. For the cooked breakfast, guests could go to the counter and request eggs, bacon, sausage, mushrooms, grilled tomato, black pudding, or haggis from the friendly chef Alan McClellan. Because we had such a generous breakfast, at times we'd just nibble on a snack for lunch.
The hotel's location is excellent. It's on a quiet street one over from busy Sauchiehall Street. The pedestrian shopping district is probably 10 - 15 minutes walk away. The Glasgow School of Art is a stone's throw away. We easily walked to the bus and train stations. The transportation system in Glasgow is excellent, and we figured out easily which bus went where.
The only quibble I have is with the bed. The mattress is probably on its last legs and the hotel might want to consider changing it within the next few weeks. I like a firm mattress and this was on the soft side. However, I did not get a back ache, so perhaps the bed wasn't that bad after all.
The hotel staff was professional and efficient, and that is perfectly fine with us. Certainly, the desk personnel won't be the cheerful, gushing, jovial hosts some people may have encountered in smaller B&Bs and would also expect at the Victorian. We are experienced travelers so we generally do not like to be fawned over and to be given directions and instructions by hotel and B&B hosts.
Glasgow was a pleasant surprise for us. We did not realize that the city has done a really excellent job revitilizing itself (we remember the Glasgow of 2 decades ago). Now, we can't wait to go back! And if we do go back, we won't hesitate to reserve a room at the Victorian again.








