My girlfriend and I spent a long weekend in Glasgow, shopping and seeing friends, so I was looking for an inexpensive hotel that was close to the city centre. The Etap is certainly cheap enough, at £32 per person, per night, and while not walking distance to the city centre, there is a bus stop very close by, and the service is very frequent.

The Etap Hotel is on top of a multi-story car park, situated in a large entertainment complex which includes a cinema, a couple of bingo halls/casinos and a few restaurants. There is a Burger King at the entrance of the complex.

The rooms are basic. Don't expect to find any extras (like tea/coffee making facilities, hairdryer, telephone etc.) waiting for you in the room. No cupboards or drawers either - just a small hanger rail in the corner and a small desk and chair opposite. Also, the room is slightly unusual in that there is a single bunk bed across the top of a double bed. The bunk bed was not made up for us when we stayed, so I wouldn't expect it unless you booked it. The mattress was firm, which some people like - others may not. There was a TV in our room, but no remote, so you're going to have to get up to change channel. Rooms aren’t exactly spotless, but not too bad. Overall, quite comfortable.

Breakfast in the morning costs extra, £2.95 per person. This is your usual continental breakfast - cereal, toast, croissants, apples, fruit juice, tea and coffee.

Getting in to the centre is easy. When you come out the front door of the hotel, go left, then left again and there's a path through the car park up to the main road, where there is a bus stop. We never had to wait longer than 3 minutes for a bus into the centre, and a single fare is £1.10. (Bring correct change because the drivers won't give any). We usually took a taxi back in the evenings. The price obviously depends on where you travel from, and on traffic, but we paid around £4 - £5 each night.

Overall, it's a cheap hotel, and you pretty much get what you pay for. We were happy enough staying here. If we come back to Glasgow, unless our budget increases, I would seriously consider staying at the Etap again.