Hilton Glasgow
The Hilton Glasgow is a 20-storey hotel in Glasgow, Scotland. It is located in Anderston, 8 miles (13 kilometres) from Glasgow Airport, three blocks away from Glasgow city centre, and close to the M8 Motorway. It opened on 30 November 1992.
| Hilton Glasgow | |
|---|---|
 Hilton Glasgow | |
  Hilton Glasgow Location within Scotland | |
| Hotel chain | Hilton Hotels & Resorts |
| General information | |
| Type | Hotel |
| Address | 1 William Street |
| Town or city | Glasgow |
| Country | Scotland |
| Opening | 1992 |
| Owner | Hilton Worldwide |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 20 |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 319 |
| Number of suites | 2 |
| Number of restaurants | 2 |
| Parking | Available, Parking is chargeable |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
Background and construction
Construction of the hotel began in 1990. It stands on a site within the Anderston Commercial Zone, an area cleared during the 1960s and designated by the then Glasgow Corporation for "comprehensive development". Originally the land was earmarked for the second phase of the Anderston Centre complex (early plans show that a public housing tower was planned for the spot where the hotel stands); however, this was abandoned, and the site lay derelict until the late 1980s.
As well as being Hilton's first foray into Glasgow (it later took over the prestigious Stakis Grosvenor in the city's West End, and a third hotel was added to the portfolio in Finnieston), the hotel was notable for being the first high-rise building over 20 storeys to be constructed in Glasgow since its tower block building boom of the 1960s and early 1970s. The hotel has the largest banqueting hall in the city.
Famous guests
The hotel is notable for having accommodated many celebrities, including the former United States President Bill Clinton.[1] The local actor and comedian Billy Connolly is also a regular guest, and was born a few streets away in the (now demolished) tenements of Anderston.
When American boxer Mike Tyson had a match at nearby Hampden Park, he booked 150 rooms for himself and his entourage.[2] Hollywood actor Robert Duvall also stayed in one of the hotel's luxury suites for several weeks during filming of the movie A Shot at Glory, which was shot in and around the city.
Award ceremonies
The Hilton Glasgow has hosted many award ceremonies. Some notable events include:
- 2014 Commonwealth Games – They were held in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 3 August 2014 and were the largest multi-sport event ever in Scotland, involving 4,950 athletes from 71 different nations and territories competing in 18 different sports. It was the third time the Commonwealth Games had been held in Scotland, and the 2014 Games were notable for the successes of the Home Nations of the United Kingdom, with England, Wales and hosts Scotland achieving their largest ever gold medal hauls and overall medal hauls at a Commonwealth Games.[3]
- 2014 Ryder Cup for the 2014 Scottish Golf Awards[4] – It is one of the biggest sporting events in the world and it was the first time in more than 40 years that the tournament had been staged in Scotland.
References
- Tolmie, Andrew (23 August 2006). "Secrets of hotel lost property". The Daily Star.
- Victoria, Mitchell (20 May 2000). "Heavyweight camp book 150 rooms at Hilton Hotel". The Daily Record. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012.
- "XX Commonwealth Games in Glasgow". www.bbc.com.
- "Scottish Golf Awards". 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 11 February 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2015.