Im looking for small guesthouses in Glasgow ( close to central area). Rick writes that the larger hotels tack on and extra 20% tax to their rooms. I prefer the smaller places that Rick often recommends. I don't know how to find them if they are not listed in Rick's books. If they are listed, I've found that they are booked during my October trip.
Ideas? Suggestions?
Frank
I have no idea where this extra 20% tax story comes from- I know you say Rick, but I mean where he gets it from.
That is not even lawful in the UK. Whether or not he means VAT (Sales Tax) would be purely speculative, but that still has to be included in the quoted rates, unlike in the US. Any business has to apply that (it may not be visible as a line item). If they don't they are tax dodgers unless a very small business under the VAT threshold of I believe £85,000 annual revenue.
If you stay in a PI for instance you will be quoted an all inclusive rate, but your actual bill will itemise out the VAT within that rate.
The likes of skyegirl on this forum probably fall under that threshold, but I'd be surprised if anywhere in central Glasgow did as they will be 365 day a year businesses.
One small hotel right in the centre which I can warmly recommend is the Merchant City Inn- https://merchantcityinn.com/
For the benefit of doubt their rates include a hidden (but mandatory) 20% VAT (Sales Tax). That is non negotiable.
I stayed at Grasshoppers Hotel in Glasgow, and the rate included a 20% VAT fee (which I'm assuming is what you are referring to). It was a small hotel and I loved my stay there. it was very reasonably priced (I paid £120 a night, which included breakfast ). It was centrally located - in fact, it was just catercorner from the central station. I also loved the lounge - it was a great way to meet other travelers. FWIW, Grasshopper's Hotel is listed in Rick's guidebook. That's how I found it.
I've heard that some AirBnb places get away without charging VAT but I'm not sure how it's done. But you can always check there. Of course, with AirBnb, you may escape VAT but you'll get hit with multiple fees for cleaning and so on.
Prices should include all taxes and charges in the UK, except for smaller businesses or for trade. I remember the happy days trying to work our 17.5% on prices in a former job. Below the threshold posted above the business will not charge VAT, but this is because they cannot claim it back on products that have VAT on them.
However seeing Mardee's post some reason I am reminded of Master of the House in Les Mis
Charge 'em for the lice
Extra for the mice
Two per cent for looking in the mirror twice
Here a little slice
There a little cut
Three per cent for sleeping with the window shut
If the charges here are not up front, you may very well be stung.
Uh oh, MC - now Master of the House will be in my head for the next day or so! I do like that song, though, so I can deal. :)
Booking.com usually has listings for a lot of small places as well as large hotels. It's worth checking there. The reviews are generally reliable because you cannot leave a review without having stayed in the lodging. After identifying a place that looks good, you can Google to find its own website and book directly if you prefer. Note that a lot of places list only some of their rooms on booking.com (which obviously charges them a commission), so there may be space available even if the place looks full on booking.com.
Read websites carefully, because many places offer non-refundable bookings as well as regular bookings that can be cancelled up until shortly before your arrival day.
Glasgow is, in general, a lot less expensive than Edinburgh, though that assumes your trip doesn't coincide with a major local event.
I think acraven's suggestion of using booking.com as a search tool is sound.
The suggestion of Merchant City Inn by isn31c seems a good one. I can't speak to the quality of the hotel, but the location is good. I have fond memories of Virginia Street from my youth. The Virginia Galleries was a rickety Victorian structure home to many hip little stores selling records, comics, posters, clothing, etc. It was a great Saturday afternoon hangout in the early 90's. Virginia Street is also home to The Polo Lounge, arguably Glasgow's premier gay nightclub. They've been there for decades and there's pricey residential properties around, so I assume assume they keep the disturbance involved in having a nightclub on the street to a minimum.
From what I read, Mardee's suggestion of the Grasshopper's Hotel is good. In terms of accommodation, they seem to be the best value in the city centre right now. What I'm not so sure about is whether I'd like to be in that location for a vacation. I've been away from Glasgow and the west of Scotland for best part of 20 years and when I've gone back it seems Union Street has gone right downhill. I was astounded at how many vape shops one street can support. The corner of Gordon Street and Union Street is a bit edgy. I worked in McDonalds at the Argyle Street end of Union Street as a teenager and saw some stuff. It was quite rough even then. I'm not saying any of these things are dangerous to a tourist, but I'd rather be in the west end or merchant city if I was visiting Glasgow.
I don't have any particular recommendations for accommodation but here's a blank list of neighbourhoods that you may want to stay in that are within easy reach of the city centre:
Garnethill
Woodlands
Kelvinbridge
Kelvingrove
Finnieston
Hillhead
Dowanhill
Partick
Google some of those with your desired search terms and you may find somewhere.
All taxes are included in the advertised price. That is the law here. You will not be charged ‘an extra 20%’.
I am intrigued to know where Rick writes about the extra 20% tax in the larger hotels. I have just taken the time to watch his Scotland Travel Skills talks - and it is not mentioned there.
I also happen to have one of his Scotland guidebooks at the moment and can't find it in the book either, having checked several times.
I can only conclude that there is a mis-interpretation somewhere down the line.
GerryM, I did not find the area around Grasshopper's Hotel dodgy at all, and I was there as a female solo traveler. It just seems like a typical city, and I loved the convenience of the nearby bus stop and the fact that the train station is just a few steps away.
The hotel is so nice for the price, too, and they make wonderful cupcakes and homemade ice cream for their guests that are available day and nite (no charge). They also have wine and beer available for a small cost in the lounge. I really enjoyed having a glass of wine in the evening there, and chatting with the other guests. I met one group from Seattle that was there to celebrate someone's 60th birthday. :) I would definitely stay here again.
Mardee,
after I wrote my slightly damning verdict on the Union Street area, I wondered if you'd feel the same. My perception is probably slightly tainted by years of running around Glasgow city centre at all times of the day and night. That square block around central station, the Hielanman's Umbrella Union Street, Gordon Street has always been a bit of a hub for those struggling with addiction issues etc. You're right though, it isn't that bad, and it's a great spot to see the rest of Glasgow (and wherever you want to go on the train) from.
I read your trip report a while back (you're one of my favourite writers on the forum!) and I was impressed with what you said about Grasshopper's Hotel. It seems like they can offer a stay that's aiming to be a trendy boutique hotel experience at a fraction of the cost. Sounds like you had a nice stay there. It's a good recommendation for anyone going to Glasgow, despite what I've said about my perception of the location.
GerryM, that's one of the nicest things anyone has said about me! Thank you so much! And thanks for responding, too - it is good to know about places like that. I do see what you mean in that it wasn't the nicest area with fun shops and so on, but I really did like the convenience of it. I also didn't have any issue going out in the evening to eat dinner.
So are you originally from Scotland? And now live in London? How fun! I'm heading to London next year in the spring and cannot wait! It is one of my most favorite cities.
Mardee; you're right. It is very convenient, especially if you're coming off a train from London. The rents around there are probably why The Grasshopper can offer the service they do in such a central location. Tim Horton's on the corner of Union Street and Argyle Street is always a bonus for me too. They don't seem to have any branches in London, so it's a slightly exotic coffee (and those little donut things) for me.
For a night or two, the recommendations of the city centre hotels are good. If you have time to vibe in Glasgow, the west end is probably best. I had a look at AirB&B out of curiosity, around the neighbourhoods I listed in my previous post. I won't recommend or link to anything on that site directly, but there's a room in a shared flat in Woodlands at £128 per night and £150 - £200 per night gets you a choice of really nice looking whole apartments in the west end. It might be another option for the OP.
Mardee, yes, I'm from South Lanarkshire, Scotland. I've lived in an inner London borough for over 15 years now though. When I see your location I always think of the ships serving the Great Lakes. I have spent many a happy hour watching Youtube videos of very large boats go very slowly at Duluth Harbour. It's always a highlight when the ship toots and the bridge toots back. I am easily amused lol
