Family Hotels with a Swimming Pool in Glasgow

A pool matters more in Glasgow than in many sunnier cities. Days out with children often mix indoor visits, such as the Glasgow Science Centre or Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, with walks that the weather can cut short. Having a pool at the hotel gives the family a fixed point at the end of the day, whatever the forecast. The three hotels here combine their pools with spa facilities, and two of them accept pets, which is useful for families travelling around Scotland by car.

The Radisson RED Hotel, Glasgow is the largest and most reviewed choice, with a score of 8.7 from more than 7,000 reviews. This 4-star hotel has 174 rooms, a swimming pool, spa and wellness facilities, a fitness room and a game room, which is the detail I would look at first with children who need to burn off energy indoors. It also claims Glasgow's first official rooftop bar and accepts pets. Its location near The Hydro and the SECC puts it on the Clyde waterfront, a short walk from the Glasgow Science Centre on the opposite bank and the Riverside Museum further west.

The Hilton Glasgow, a 4-star hotel in the financial district, scores 8.9 from about 3,750 reviews. Its listing mentions an indoor swimming pool, spa and wellness facilities and family suites, which makes it the clearest option for families who need more space than a standard room. It is within easy reach of the shopping streets and transport links, and a short walk from the King's Theatre, which programmes family shows and pantomimes in season. For a city break built around the centre, with a swim before dinner, it is the hotel I would book first.

The Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa by IHG is the only 5-star hotel on this page. It occupies a 19th-century Georgian townhouse on Blythswood Square, with spacious rooms, a well-regarded spa, a swimming pool and a restaurant serving sustainable Scottish seafood. It accepts pets and offers bike rental, and it scores 8.9 from about 1,460 reviews. The atmosphere is more refined than the two other hotels, which suits families with older children who appreciate a quieter setting, while the pool keeps the stay fun for younger ones between visits.

Choosing between the three comes down to the shape of the trip. For families with energetic children and an interest in museums by the river, the Radisson RED and its game room make the most sense. For a central base with larger rooms, the Hilton's family suites are the safest choice. For a special stay, or a family travelling with a dog, the Kimpton combines a historic building with a full spa. In every case, I would ask about the times when children can use the pool, since hotel pools often keep adult-only slots in the morning or evening.