The manager of a major Glasgow hotel which is celebrating a “phenomenal” first year has declared the city “continues to punch above its weight on the global stage”.

The 245-room AC Hotel by Marriott Glasgow, on George Street close to George Square and part of the £100 million Love Loan development, opened in November 2023.

It revealed it had since recorded more than 59,000 room nights, welcoming 85,000 guests - with profits more than 5% ahead of forecasts.

General manager Craig Munro said Glasgow’s tourism, music, conferencing and events, sport, and film industries have played a “huge role” in the hotel’s success.

The four-star hotel, which has breathed new life into what was a disused former Glasgow parish halls building and filled a long-term gap site with its new-build element, revealed: “Occupancy rates have consistently exceeded 85% - well ahead of industry averages, with rocketing tourist numbers and major events in Scotland including Taylor Swift’s concerts in Edinburgh also contributing.”

It declared it had “become a go-to destination for visitors to the city from city-breakers to professional sports teams" and "even A-list celebrities" who have stayed in its "signature" Liberty Suite.

Major brands including Charlotte Tilbury and Watches of Switzerland have meanwhile used the hotel for events and product launches.

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Mr Munro believes the venue’s bumper first year is down to “providing the right package at the right time as visitors surge back to the city" as he also highlighted the knock-on benefits of major events in Edinburgh.

He said: “Glasgow punches well above its weight internationally, with first-class events and conferencing facilities, major sporting events, and a tourism proposition that attracts people from all over the world.

“I’ve always said that for a hotel to succeed in Glasgow it needs to cater for every market from weekend visitors and event-goers to conferencing guests and air crew - and we’ve got that right.”

Mr Munro also highlighted the importance of the hotel’s employees, and its relatively low staff turnover.

He said: “We’ve welcomed sports teams, musicians, conference guests, dignitaries, and regularly hosted genuine A-list celebrities - particularly through the film and TV industry’s ongoing relationship with the city. We have added a first-rate city-centre hotel, with the story of the city woven into its fabric, and our guests have really responded to that. Our first-ever guests are now regulars, and things like that help you realise how successful it’s been.”

The hotel noted its sister restaurant, Hazel, has proved “one of Glasgow’s most popular new restaurants”, serving more than 20,000 diners and “earning a reputation as an occasion restaurant within the city”. The restaurant features a replica Hazel tree centrepiece, inspired by the legend of St Mungo on the city’s coat of arms,

Mr Munro said of the hotel’s successful first year: “The key has been our people. The average turnover of staff in the industry is around 40%: we’ve lost around 10% since we opened, which is almost unheard of. I was told recently that Glasgow is one of the only cities in the world where ‘people’ are amongst the top five attractions. I think that’s certainly true of AC Hotel Glasgow.

“It’s not just about Glasgow, however. We’ve done very well from major events held in Edinburgh too, such as major sports fixtures and large concerts including Taylor Swift. The two cities are seen as a package for visitors, and it benefits the hospitality industry in both.”

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While he revealed he expects some challenges with the redevelopment of large parts of Glasgow city centre in 2025 - including the start of the highly anticipated reimagining of George Square - Mr Munro declared there are exciting plans in the next 12 months for the hotel.

He noted these include  the addition of new event and conferencing facilities as the team develops the venue’s overall proposition.

Mr Munro said: “It’s been an incredible first year that has exceeded all expectations - but we can’t rest on our laurels. The addition of new events space will evolve and elevate the hotel’s offering, opening the door to new parts of markets in conferencing, weddings, dinners and events, and hosting large sports teams. It will help take AC Hotel Glasgow to the next level.

He added: “The redevelopment of George Square and other parts of Glasgow city centre will present short-term challenges as work is done, but we are equipped to navigate them and these works will transform and elevate the city. The feeling in the industry is that it will be worth it – a better Glasgow works for all of us.”