Today it is rather a wet and windy day, the heavens have opened and it…
Staying in Glasgow with Travelodge
During the Easter holidays we packed our bags and took a trip to Glasgow. I have never visited Glasgow before, unless you count walking between the two train stations to catch a connection. I did that many years ago on a trip home from university. I was in such a panic about catching the train I do not remember anything about the city. Our main reason for the trip was to check out Loch Lommond and the surrounding area. I have vague plans about getting the family together to stay for my 50th birthday, which is only a year and a bit away. It is scary how fast time passes, I do not feel that old.
Glasgow is around 150 miles away from us and around a two and a half hour drive. There are three routes you can take but we opted for the most direct, along the A69 and then onto the M6. Luckily the traffic was good and we got there in reasonable time.
Accommodation
We have visited Scotland many times but have previously stayed in large houses. Our most memorable stay was in Knockbrex Castle but more recently we travelled to the Highlands. We had been invited to stay in Glasgow with Travelodge. Our stay was in a family room at the Paisley Road Travelodge. The Travelodge was ideally situated, we literally turned off the motorway and we were there.
Parking is free but you need to ensure you enter your license plate number into a machine in the foyer each day you stay. Check in was quick and easy and we were given the keys to our room. Travelodge have recently refurbished their hotels to give them a fresh new look. The rooms feature a king size dreamer bed which was really comfortable. The family room also contains two single beds so my son had the choice of which one to sleep in. Lights can be turned on and off from the bed as well as from the wall which is convenient.
The rooms have a colour TV with free view channels available to watch and there is plenty of space under the benches to place your luggage. There is also a wardrobe and a set of shelves so you can unpack and hang up your clothes.
The room also has tea and coffee making facilities and if you need more teabags, coffee, milk or sugar they can be picked up from the reception desk on the way in. Three mugs had been provided which was perfect for our family.
The bathroom is a nice size and has everything you need. The only strange thing about the bathroom was the positioning of the soap dispenser in the bath. It is ideally placed if you use the shower but if you use the bath it is a bit hard to reach.
If you want somewhere to stay while you are travelling or a cheap night in a city, Travelodge is ideal. It is really comfortable and the staff are really helpful. When I went down to get breakfast with wet hair I was offered a hairdryer without having to ask. Things like this make you feel welcome. One thing that did surprise me was there was no restaurant available in the Travelodge. When we got breakfast it was a box available from reception.
There were two different types, one with yoghurt and one with cereal. They were actually very filling and tasty.
Adventures in Glasgow
After we had checked in we went out to find something to eat. The Travelodge was ideally situated, it is half a mile from the city centre and there are a large number of restaurants within walking distance as well as a Tesco Express. We had our dinner at Cook and Indi’s World Buffet which was right next door to the Travelodge. It is an all you can eat buffet with foods from all round the world at £10.99 a head. The food was very tasty and we were very full after our meal. My son was delighted to find the Mr Whippy ice cream machine and chocolate fountain in the dessert section.
After dinner we had a little walk around and found we were near the river. We had a great view of some of the bridges crossing the river.
Loch Lommond
The next day we set off to explore Loch Lommond which is easily accessible from Glasgow. We decided to have a drive around the loch, stopping for a picnic lunch and stopping at various places on interest along the way. I love the fact that just a short drive away from a major city you can find such a beautiful place.
We stopped in the village of Luss, a conservation village with pretty sandstone and slate cottages and and narrow roads. The mountains looming over the village with snow still on the tops.
The houses look like toy houses. The village was beautiful in the unexpected Easter sun but I am sure it is cold in the winter.
At Balloch we drove up to Balloch Castle and stopped and wandered around the grounds. The grounds are a country park and span 200 acres including walled gardens and nature trails. The castle is derelict but is still an imposing sight. The loch can be seen shining in the distance, making a fitting backdrop to the gardens.
We really enjoyed our trip to Glasgow and Loch Lommond and hope to go back and visit again soon. There is so much more we would like to see in the area.
Disclosure: We were invited to stay at Travelodge for the purpose of this review. All opinions and images are my own.
Zoe Homes says
Ah Loch Lomond, one of the most beautiful places in the Scotland. I’ve been there a number of times, and it always makes me smile. Luss is a great place to stop on the way up to Glencoe, one of my favourite places in the world. I have to admit we stopped using Travelodge a number of years ago after a sequence of bad experiences, and we always found the beds were really spongy and worn out. It’s good to see they’ve updated a bit.
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Loch Lommond is beautiful, we will definitely have to go back and explore some more. I have never tried Travelodge before but was really happy with how nice it was for a budget hotel. Brilliant if you just want a base to explore from
Cheryl Pasquier says
I’ve never been to Scotland but it’s on my list of places I’d like to visit one day. Gorgeous photos – it looks beautiful
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I love travelling there. Each of the different parts I have been to have their own characteristics but all beautiful
Galina V says
Like Cheryl, I haven’t been to Scotland, and hope one day we’ll travel there with my boys, though for use it will be a very long journey from Oxfordshire. Most beautiful scenery. Now you need to come and explore our parts so that we can meet each other in real life. 🙂
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
I love Scotland, so much more of it I need to explore. Will definitely have to go in the other direction as well