Motel One Glasgow

Motel One Glasgow proves that budget does not have to mean boring. It stands at 78 to 82 Oswald Street, immediately next to Glasgow Central Station, and the brand describes it as Scotland's largest design hotel. The theme is the romance of railway travel: in the One Lounge, quilted benches recall an antique train compartment, Spectre lights by Quasar hang overhead, an info screen shows the Central Station departures and the Wireflow lights by Vibia evoke tracks and points. The bar has a rustic wooden counter, and the walls show the work of the Scottish photography duo Matthew Dalziel and Louise Scullion on a Highland theme. Rooms are compact and well equipped. The One rooms measure 16 square metres, with a queen or king box-spring bed, a 43-inch flat-screen television, a granite bathroom with a rain shower and free Wi-Fi; the Special One rooms add space at 20 square metres, and there are accessible rooms. A healthy breakfast buffet with organic products and Fairtrade coffee is served each morning.

Location and getting around: the location is hard to beat for the price. Central Station is next door for trains to the Burrell, the coast and Edinburgh, Argyle Street bus stops are outside, and the street art tour's meeting point on Mitchell Street is a few minutes away. Buchanan Street, the Merchant City and George Square are all within a ten-minute walk, and the Gallery of Modern Art, the City Chambers and, a little further, Glasgow Cathedral are within reach on foot.

Rooms and who it suits: rooms are smaller than a traditional hotel's and best for one or two people; choose a Special One if you want room to unpack. It suits budget-conscious couples, solo travellers, rail travellers and anyone who will be out exploring all day and wants a clean, stylish, well-located room to come back to. Families will need more than one room.

Good to know: check-in is from 3pm and check-out by noon, reception is staffed around the clock and luggage storage is free. Breakfast runs from 6am to 10am on weekdays and from 7am to 11am at weekends and on public holidays, and is charged separately unless included in your rate. There is no hotel parking; the front desk offers discount vouchers for the NCP car park on Oswald Street. Rooms on the station side can pick up some city noise, so ask for a quieter room if needed.