Looking to wed in a sleek suburban hotel where a night of relaxation is on the cards? Nicole Conner finds all of this and more on Glasgow’s southside
I’ve been lucky enough to experience several of the Manorview Group’s hotels around the country (the Redhurst, Boclair House and Cornhill Castle among others), both as a guest at friends’ weddings and in a professional capacity as a journalist.
Each time, I’ve got the impression I’m at a luxurious, well-organised and thoroughly enjoyable event. That’s almost certainly because no detail is overlooked to give couples the best wedding experience possible – one look at the show-stopping honeymoon suite at each property should convince you of that. The one at The Busby Hotel, on the southside of Glasgow, is the latest to receive an upgrade: its Buchanan Suite now comes complete with chic decor and a sunken whirlpool bath big enough for two.
When I was invited to go along and check it out for myself, I didn’t have to be asked twice.
Partner in tow, I set off to enjoy an evening at this plush hideaway. After a warm welcome from the team, weddings and events manager Megan Ferris took me to have a nosey at the hotel’s impressive facilities.
Our first stop was the Cartside and Busby Suites on the first floor. When a wedding is taking place, this level is exclusively reserved for the couple and their guests, so your nuptials are kept separate from the rest of the hotel and the diners at Carters Restaurant downstairs.
The Busby Suite is the ballroom and hosts larger dos, while the Cartside serves as a breakout space for drinks while the Busby is transformed after dinner. Both are tastefully decorated in a neutral palette. They each have their own bar and have access to the balcony that runs along the front of the property (this is a lovely suntrap in which to host a drinks reception on a warm day).
All of the hotel’s couples are treated to a night in the freshly designed honeymoon hideaway, and it really is a delight. My partner and I slipped into our complimentary robes as we marvelled at the space. The room itself is grand, with plenty of space for the bridal party to add their finishing touches thanks to the spacious seating area and dresser (brides have access to this room from noon on their wedding day, allowing a few hours to relax with their party before the ceremony).
Fabulous honeymoon suites are a Manorview unique selling point, so it’s no surprise the Buchanan is so special. That sunken jacuzzi bath I mentioned is housed in a new extension that’s a wonderful place to hide away with your new spouse. Thanks to its skylight, big window and wall of greenery, it feels bright, open and spa-like yet very private. And it didn’t lose any of its charm once night fell; flickering LED candles dotted around the place created a cosy ambience.
The Busby’s staff deserve a mention, too. They were attentive, professional and welcoming, greeting each patron like an old friend. Your wedding will be in very capable hands with them behind the scenes.
There’s also a freestanding tub in the main part of the suite with its own TV hidden away inside a full-length mirror (there’s another TV in the bedroom), as well as a rainfall shower and a huge bed.
It was hard to pull ourselves away from the Buchanan for dinner, but we’re glad we did: each dish we sampled was sensational. It’s said most wedding guests remember the food and drink long after the confetti has settled – if our dinner is anything to go by, they’ll have nothing but fond memories of their meal.
The Busby’s staff deserve a mention, too. They were attentive, professional and welcoming, greeting each patron like an old friend. Your wedding will be in very capable hands with them behind the scenes.
After dinner, we headed back to the suite – we’d spotted its cocktail station equipped with pre-mixed passionfruit and French martinis, and felt it would be rude not to sample them as we curled up on the day bed enjoying a movie.
There is no right or wrong way to end your wedding, but I reckon finishing on a high like this would be hard to beat.
Need to Know
How many guests can The Busby Hotel cater for?
The Busby Hotel can welcome parties of up to 180 people for dinner and over 200 for a shindig in the evening. There are 29 bedrooms, with a capacity for 70 guests to spend the night here (with 10% off the price of their room).
What is in The Busby Hotel’s new honeymoon suite?
A night of luxury is guaranteed in this exquisite, newly refurbished honeymoon suite and a complimentary stay is yours when you wed at the hotel. Among the fabulous features are a king-size bed, smart TV, monsoon shower, freestanding bath and romantic extension. Room service can be ordered from the hotel’s Carters Restaurant.
What can you eat and drink at The Busby Hotel?
Catering is taken care of by the hotel staff, who operate from a dedicated kitchen that’s separate from the main restaurant. Menus are flexible within the packages, and can be changed to suit your preferences (at no supplementary cost). Choose from decadent dishes such as fillet of seabass, roast sirloin of beef or supreme of chicken, then finish with profiteroles, cranachan or torte.
What wedding packages are on offer at The Busby Hotel?
The Busby has three packages that allow couples to tailor their day: the Glen, Riverside and Waterfall include three- or four-course dinners, drinks, menus, centrepieces and chairs. These can be added to or tweaked depending on your preference. There’s also the Busby Bespoke package (from £6,950) if you want everything taken care of. It includes a three-course meal for 50, an evening buffet for 100, wedding cake, ceremony room hire, flowers, a DJ, and much more. The Timeless package is also all-inclusive and is available from October to March, seven days a week, priced from £4,675.