Family-Friendly Hotels in Glasgow: Best Choices for Parents and Kids

When I first travelled to Glasgow with my family, I quickly realised that choosing the right hotel is not just a matter of comfort—it shapes the entire trip. A well-chosen family-friendly hotel gives you a sense of ease, making sure both children and parents feel at home. Over the years, I’ve tried a variety of places across the city, from chic West End hideaways to larger city-centre hotels with swimming pools, and each has left me with different impressions.

What I want to share here are not just dry listings, but the hotels I’ve genuinely stayed in (or visited with friends), the details that stood out, the little surprises that made my children happy, and the practical side of booking them. Glasgow is often overlooked as a family destination, but once you know where to stay, the city opens up in the most welcoming way.

Why Glasgow Works for Families

Before I get into specific hotels, let me say this: Glasgow is one of the friendliest cities I’ve ever visited with children. There’s something about the Glaswegian spirit—helpful, down-to-earth, always ready with a joke—that makes you feel at ease as a parent. People smile at your kids, bus drivers patiently wait while you fold a buggy, and hotel staff go the extra mile.

The city is also packed with family attractions: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum with its dinosaur skeletons, the Riverside Museum with vintage cars and trams, Glasgow Green for wide-open play, and Pollok Country Park with Highland cows. Staying somewhere central or well-connected is key, so that you can walk, hop on the subway, or take a quick bus without stress.

And so, here are the family-friendly hotels that made my trips to Glasgow memorable.

1. Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow

Location: 301 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8DL

The first time I stayed at the Radisson Blu, I arrived straight from Glasgow Central Station—it’s literally a two-minute walk. Travelling with children, proximity matters. No one wants to drag suitcases and tired toddlers across a city.

The hotel itself feels contemporary and sleek, with a huge glass façade. The lobby is spacious, with plenty of room for kids to wander around without bumping into other guests. What made me smile was how the staff immediately knelt down to greet my daughter at her level, offering her a small colouring set at check-in.

Features and Advantages

• Large family rooms with sofa beds.
• An indoor swimming pool (a lifesaver when the Scottish rain arrives).
• Excellent breakfast buffet—pancakes, pastries, and Scottish porridge included.

Guest Reviews

Parents online often mention the convenience of location, the friendly staff, and the pool as highlights. A few note that the modern design makes it feel more like a city hotel than a cosy retreat, but for me, the practicality outweighed everything.

Booking Platforms & Costs

I’ve often found the best rates on Booking.com and Expedia UK, averaging around £150–£180 per night for a family room including breakfast.

Booking Tips

• Book well in advance if travelling during school holidays—the pool access is very popular.
• Look for “Kids Stay Free” promotions, which pop up on Hotels.com occasionally.

2. Hilton Glasgow

Location: 1 William Street, Glasgow G3 8HT

Whenever I picture Glasgow’s skyline, the Hilton Glasgow towers above it. I stayed here on a chilly November weekend, and walking into the vast marble lobby felt like stepping into a sanctuary.

Features and Advantages

• Spacious connecting rooms, perfect for larger families.
• A swimming pool and health club.
• On-site restaurant with child-friendly menus.

What really worked for me here was the ease of connecting rooms. With two kids of different ages, having space where everyone could spread out was priceless.

Guest Reviews

Many parents praise the breakfast spread, especially the make-your-own waffle station. Some reviews mention that the décor feels a bit dated compared to newer hotels, but in return, the rooms are larger.

Booking Platforms & Costs

On Hilton.com you’ll often find “Family Offers,” but I’ve personally booked through Booking.com and saved with free cancellation. Prices are usually £160–£200 per night for family rooms.

Booking Tips

• Join the Hilton Honors programme—it’s free and sometimes includes free breakfast for kids.
• Look for Sunday night deals; rates often drop dramatically compared to Friday and Saturday.

3. Novotel Glasgow Centre

Location: 181 Pitt Street, Glasgow G2 4DT

The Novotel brand has always been reliable for family trips, and the Glasgow Centre property is no exception. It’s modern, bright, and designed with families in mind.

Features and Advantages

• Family rooms with sofa beds.
• A play area in the lobby with games and toys.
• Kids eat free deals at the restaurant.

When I stayed here, my son loved the lobby play corner—it meant he had something to do while I checked in, and it set the tone for a stress-free stay.

Guest Reviews

Families rave about the play area and the breakfast, while some mention the location being a little uphill from the central shopping area. Personally, I liked being slightly removed from the busiest streets—it felt calmer.

Booking Platforms & Costs

I’ve booked this hotel through Accor Hotels directly, but prices on Booking.com and Hotels.com are often competitive, around £120–£150 per night.

Booking Tips

• Check Accor’s “Family & Co” deals—children under 16 often stay free with breakfast included.
• Use loyalty points if you travel often with Accor brands.

4. Premier Inn Glasgow City Centre (George Square)

Location: 187 George Street, Glasgow G1 1YU

Sometimes the simplest choice is the best. Premier Inn is known across the UK for comfort at reasonable prices, and this location near George Square puts you right in the heart of the city.

Features and Advantages

• Family rooms with pull-out beds.
• Central location—perfect for walking to Buchanan Street, the Gallery of Modern Art, and transport links.
• Affordable meals at the in-house Thyme restaurant.

Guest Reviews

Parents love the value for money, the friendly staff, and the quiet nights despite the central location. Some say the décor is plain, but that’s Premier Inn’s style: reliable, simple, and stress-free.

Booking Platforms & Costs

Book directly through Premier Inn’s website for the lowest rates—often £80–£110 per night for a family room.

Booking Tips

• Prices are dynamic—book early for the best deals.
• Flexible bookings are worth the small extra cost, especially if your plans might change.

5. DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central

Location: Cambridge Street, Glasgow G2 3HN

The DoubleTree is one of my personal favourites, partly because of its warm welcome: every guest gets a warm cookie at check-in, which delighted my kids immediately.

Features and Advantages

• Huge indoor pool—one of the largest hotel pools in the city.
• Family suites with lots of space.
• Central but quiet location, a short walk from Sauchiehall Street.

Guest Reviews

Parents love the pool and the cookie welcome. Some say the building feels a little business-oriented, but most agree it’s fantastic for families.

Booking Platforms & Costs

I booked through Expedia UK and paid around £140 per night for a family room. On Hilton’s own site, “Family Fun” packages occasionally include free breakfast and late checkout.

Booking Tips

• Always check Hilton Honors member rates.
• Mid-week stays can be much cheaper than weekends.

Booking Platforms That Help Me Travel Smoothly

I’ve learned through experience that choosing the right booking platform makes a huge difference. In the UK, I rely most on:

• Booking.com – Excellent for comparing family room options and getting free cancellation.
• Expedia UK – Useful for package deals when combining flights and hotels.
• Hotels.com – Their “10 nights, get 1 free” reward scheme is brilliant if you travel often.
• Airbnb – A good choice if you prefer apartments with kitchens, especially for longer family stays.

Whenever I plan, I always cross-check at least two platforms. Sometimes a hotel’s official website offers perks like free parking or kids’ meals, while Booking.com might show cheaper nightly rates. Spending those extra five minutes comparing can save enough for a day out at the science centre.

After each trip, I’ve come to realise that the hotels we chose in Glasgow shaped our days more than I expected. A good family room meant we started mornings rested and ended evenings without stress. A pool gave my children somewhere to burn off their energy while I sat with a coffee. A staff member who bent down to hand my son a cookie or remembered my daughter’s name made us feel not just like guests, but like friends.

I think back to rainy afternoons when we watched the city’s grey clouds from a warm hotel lobby, or the quiet joy of walking back from George Square at night with tired children holding my hands, knowing our room was just around the corner. I remember breakfasts where my kids piled pancakes high and looked at me as if Glasgow had invented happiness itself. These little things linger long after the suitcases are unpacked.

Every time I return to Glasgow, there’s a moment when I walk through the sliding doors of a hotel lobby and feel the same calm settle over me—the sense that, for a few days, life has been arranged in a way that works. The beds are made, the meals are waiting, and the city lies just outside, ready to be explored. For me, that’s what makes family travel here so easy, and why Glasgow will always be one of the places I feel most at home with my children.