Glasgow has a new hotel, Arthouse, set in a former grand mansion that once served as the Department of Education headquarters. Rooms start from £99 per night, and the property showcases local art, design, and food, including the city's most hyped restaurant, Celentano's.
Design and heritage
The building's original features, such as stained glass windows, timber panelling, and high ceilings on the second floor, are highlighted against a stripped-back decor. Terrazzo flooring was uncovered beneath tired carpets, and wooden flooring shows patches, chips, and scratches, including a visible crack in a bathroom basin.
Design studio A-nrd led the refurbishment, adding bespoke joinery with platform beds integrated into desks, benches, and coffee stations. Furniture mixes 20th-century vintage pieces, many reupholstered in Bute fabrics, with new commissions. A gleaming bronze antique birdcage lift anchors the building's centre.
Art and local partnerships
Artworks from local artists and galleries are displayed throughout the common areas and rooms. The hotel has launched an annual award and commission for a Glasgow School of Art student, with the resulting piece added to Arthouse's collection. A programme of talks and events connects with local arts institutions.
For dining, Celentano's, a beloved local restaurant, has relocated to the hotel. It serves Italian-inspired food with influences from Korea and France, alongside small-producer wine. Breakfast is a lighter, wholesome offering with smoked fish, house-made breads, jams, cakes, yoghurt, and granola.
Local recommendations and booking
Arthouse has produced pocket-sized booklets with local recommendations for culture, wellness, foodies, and families. Suggested spots include brunch at Outlier, Korean street food at Kimchi Cult, seafood at Crabshakk, sharing plates at Gloriosa, and Spanish-inspired dishes at Cornershop. Vinyls are available at Monorail Music, magazines at Ripe Mags, and art at Transmission Gallery or the Modern Institute. The Caravan Shop offers bottles to take home, and The Gate serves late-night cocktails.
Hand-blown pendant lights are by Edinburgh glass artist Vicky Higginson, ceramic details by Westhouse Pottery, and artworks by David Iain Brown. A Glasgow Art Map is provided by the hotel. Pocket rooms are available from £99 per night at arthousehotelglasgow.com.
