It might come as a surprise that we only feature five places to stay in or near Glasgow. It never ceases to surprise us that, in such a lively, young, buzzy city, with great art and architecture (including Foster & partners' Armadillo, pictured left), a vibrant nightlife and stylish shops, the hotel scene should be so lacklustre. Our recommendations – four hotels (two in the centre, two outside) and one bed-and-breakfast – are head and shoulders above the rest.  The order by which the hotels are listed bears no reflection on our preference.

Written by Fiona Duncan