We check into Scotland’s most stunning new honeymoon suite at The Redhurst Hotel in Glasgow’s southside

As someone who’s been a wedding journalist for over five years, it’s fair to say I know my way around a honey-moon suite. But even an old hack like me had never seen anything quite like the Garden House at Giffnock’s Redhurst Hotel.

The Redhurst has a lovely spot amid the leafy streets of Glasgow’s Southside, along with beautiful, contemporary decor and a relaxed atmosphere. I arrived just as a private function was about to start, but the layout of the hotel’s public spaces meant it never felt overcrowded or loud.

Owned by the swanky Manorview Hotels and Leisure Group, also responsible for other fabulous wedding venues such as Boclair House Hotel, Cornhill Castle and the Busby Hotel (you may remember Manorview’s stunning wooden gazebo stand from The Scottish Wedding Show), I knew I was in safe hands as soon as I stepped through the doors.

I was thrilled to be spending a night in the Garden House. I had heard about it before my visit and was intrigued by the idea behind it. One slight drawback of holding your wedding in a hotel is the relative lack of privacy; even if you have a big room all to yourself, you are still incredibly close to whoever is through the wall from you. There’s nothing romantic about hearing your bridesmaids continuing the party next door on your first night as a married couple.

The Garden House solves this issue. It is completely separate from the hotel, allowing the newlyweds to be alone on their special night, without any persistent revellers chapping the door looking for an afterparty.

As I took a look around, it quickly became clear that this is much more than a private hidey-hole for you and your new spouse to enjoy some alone time. Opened at the end of this summer, the space is cutting-edge in everything from decor to tech. The living room/bar area is amazingly chic, with a minibar stocked with pre-mixed cocktails. The outdoor terrace is stunning, with a private hot tub and fire pit – there’s even a TV out there!

My favourite area, however, has to be the bedroom. Dressed in sumptuous fabrics, it is a super-cosy space where you can curl up together for the ultimate romantic night in. Just a few feet away from the bed – and having to be seen to be believed – is a stunning circular copper bath. It’s huge, with plenty of space for two, and has been perfectly positioned in front of a grand mirror-cum-television, so you can watch a film or TV show as you soak.

It was hard to pack everything into one night, but we tried our best, sampling the complimentary cocktails while playing tunes through the Garden House’s Bluetooth surround sound system. We headed outside to warm up next to the fire pit, before taking a quick evening dip in the hot tub. After that, it was into bed with a nightcap and a movie – although the plush bedding made it hard to stay awake until the final credits.

Next morning was just as fun – it’s easier to feel pumped about the day ahead when you get to start it under an amazing rainfall shower and can blast out feelgood tunes in each room with a state-of-the-art sound system (Beyoncé’s Renaissance album, obv).
Oh, and I haven’t even mentioned the best bit: book your wedding at the Redhurst, and you get a complimentary stay in the Garden House on your wedding night. Where do I sign up?