Crossbasket Castle Review

The opening of Crossbasket Castle’s new hotel has been one of Glasgow’s, if not Scotland’s, most eagerly awaited property openings of 2025. The newly expanded offering, which officially welcomed guests in March following a £20 million investment, has created an additional 40 new glamorous Art Deco-inspired rooms and suites alongside two completely new dining experiences. The Luxury Editor was honoured to be invited to the official launch event for an unforgettable day and night of celebrations and entertainment. Read on to discover more about this new chapter for the Crossbasket Castle Estate.

The Luxury Editor is no stranger to Crossbasket Castle, having first visited around eight years ago, shortly after its then-first grand opening in 2016. The historic property, located in High Blantyre on the outskirts of Glasgow, was painstakingly restored by owners Alison and Steve Timoney, who purchased the castle in 2011 after it appeared on Scotland’s ‘Buildings at Risk’ Register. Following a five-year, £10 million restoration, the castle, including its 15th-century tower once owned by inventor Charles Macintosh (inventor of the Mackintosh raincoat) was transformed into a luxurious nine-room retreat complete with a destination restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux.

Fast forward to today and Crossbasket Castle Estate has unveiled an additional spectacular standalone hotel on the grounds of the estate, echoing the elegance of early 20th-century design. In addition to more rooms, the new offering also incorporates two new distinctive dining experiences: Foveran’s, a light-filled, palm court-style restaurant serving breakfast and lunch, and Trocadero’s, also overseen by chef Michel Roux. Trocadero’s delivers a dazzling and unforgettable dining and entertainment experience that channels the spirit and high energy of the Roaring Twenties, and it certainly doesn’t disappoint!

Nods to the early 20th-century start in the lobby and flow throughout. Arched mirrors, a sculptural cascade of golden pendant lights, and an upholstered blush reception desk welcome you as you walk in. Lounge areas straddle either side of the reception area, appointed with caramel-toned armchairs and curved banquettes, while intricate motifs and structured detailing are woven into the cushions, textiles, and carpeting. The day I stayed, soft natural light filtered through sheer drapes, highlighting the floral centre pieces that echo the vintage glamour of the interiors.

Location

Located just 12 miles south of Glasgow and set within a 14-acre estate surrounded by landscaped gardens and the River Calder running through it. It’s just a 20-minute drive into the city centre, making it an ideal base for combining a country escape with a city adventure. Glasgow Airport is 30 minutes away by car, and Edinburgh Airport can be reached in around 40 minutes. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are a 50-minute drive away, which connects you with the start of the Scottish Highlands. Complimentary and plentiful on-site parking is available for all guests.

Rooms & Suites

Two distinct styles of guestroom offerings are now available: nine historical, period rooms in the original castle, alongside 40 new art deco-inspired guestrooms in the new property. The new room offerings start with Classic Rooms (25 sqm) and Deluxe Rooms (31 sqm) offer garden views and flexible bed configurations, with the option of either double or twin beds. For those seeking more space, Junior Suites (41 sqm) and Suites (61 sqm) are available, with many Junior Suites interconnecting with Classic Rooms, a convenient choice for families. Some rooms also benefit from the addition of a private terrace, while all rooms come with marble tiles bathrooms, underfloor heating, Nespresso machines, a kettle, minibar, safe, and toiletries by Penhaligon’s.

My Room During My Stay

I stayed in Room 110, a Classic Room located on the ground floor. Throughout the room, symmetry, clean lines, and subtle geometric patterns are complemented by a soft palette of blush, caramel, and ivory. The bed area is framed by a padded headboard featuring vertical panelling and sweeping dark wood curves, flanked by arched mirrors and brass globe wall lights, with additional spotlights for individual reading. Plug sockets and charging points are positioned on either side of the bed, while an interactive digital tablet sits on a bedside table providing a hotel guide, alarm clock, and a radio.

Across from the bed, a sleek black stone-topped dressing / workspace sits beneath a mirrored wall and a large wall-mounted flatscreen TV. On its surface, a Nespresso machine, kettle, and an assortment of teas and coffees are laid out, while underneath a compact, well-stocked mini-bar is tucked discreetly into the cabinetry. Small details like the neatly organised glassware sitting on branded coasters, a topped-up ice bucket, a bag stand open and ready, premium premixed cocktails in the minibar and welcome chocolates all add to the feeling of considered luxury.

The bathroom features a separate bath and walk-in rain shower, marble floor-to-ceiling tiles and underfloor heating. While large fixed Penhaligon’s Quercus, body wash, shampoo and conditioner reside in the shower space, separate mini Penhaligon’s amenities and Epson salts can be enjoyed in the bath, and the remaining minis can be safely popped into your washup back to carry on the experience in your home bathtime routine.

Guestrooms run down one side and the back of the building, each with a large window offering unoverlooked views towards the surrounding forest. In front of the window, a small seating area with a gold-trimmed round table offers a comfortable spot to relax.

Post dinner, a turn-down service has been carried out leaving a bedside mat and slipper and in our case a pot of honey on each pillow from the hotel’s apiary.

Castle Rooms

If you are drawn to history and period styling, the nine castle rooms at Crossbasket Castle offer a truly authentic experience. Set within the 17th-century part of the estate, each room is named after historical figures associated with its rich past. Accommodation options range from the dramatic four-storey Lindsay Tower Suite to spacious choices like the Downie Suite and the Clark Junior Suite, both featuring separate lounges. Large double rooms such as the Mackintosh and Peter Rooms are ideal for families or groups, while the superior and small double rooms, including the Findlay, Cabbell, Hamilton, and Neilson Rooms.

Lyndsey Suite

The Lindsay Tower Suite spans the full four storeys of Crossbasket Castle, offering private access to a series of beautifully restored rooms. Each floor, a separate room showcasing its original 17th-century architectural features, all interlinked by its original stone spiral staircase, which can prove a lively challenge after an evening’s drinking! The Luxury Editor stayed here during our first visit to Crossbasket Castle, and it remains to this day one of our favourite and most unique luxury suites we have experienced.

Food & Drink

The property now offers two completely distinctive dining experiences that together embody a chameleon-like spirit. Foveran’s is light-filled and relaxed, serving breakfasts and lunches, while Trocadero’s located in the very heart of the hotel brings the atmosphere of Cole Porter’s 1928 classic, “Anything Goes,” to life. With its high-energy entertaining, you are transported back to a magical bygone era, where anything truly does go and a guarantee of a night to remember.

Named after the beloved 1950s dance hall in nearby Hamilton, where “The Troc” buzzed with live music nightly, the new Trocadero’s channels that same vibrant energy. Step through velvet drapes into a space that evokes the glamour of the Golden Age, featuring two levels: an upper cocktail bar and a lower dining area with tables positioned around a dedicated stage. Entertainment is central to the offering, with live performances seven nights a week, from acoustic sets midweek to week to high-energy weekend shows with dance performances by professional showgirls who mingle and weave through the floor space, bringing a unique theatrical flair to the experience.

Under the expertise of Panos Dimou, Head Mixologist at Crossbasket Castle the bar features an impressive Champagne selection alongside a curated list of fine wines and spirits. The cocktail menu pays homage to the era, with drinks named after iconic expressions such as “The Flapper,” “Cash or Check,” and “It’s the Berries,” capturing the bold and unconventional spirit of the time.

The restaurant is led by Executive Chef Kevin Baroon and guided by Michel Roux, showcasing classic French techniques using the finest Scottish ingredients. Starters feature delicacies such as Loch Ryan Oysters, Shetland Crab, and Beef Short Rib Crumpet. For mains, indulge in Trocadero’s Seafood Pie with Orkney scallop, hot smoked salmon, and prawns, or savour the charcoal-grilled Ayrshire Pork Chop and Rib Eye Beef from the Charcoal Grill. Desserts are served from a traditional dessert trolley, offering a decadent conclusion to the dining experience. This was all set against a vibrant musical backdrop, with the tempo picking up throughout the evening, culminating in guests dancing into the night as the evening draws to a close.

Foveran’s

After a night of entertainment and a great night’s sleep, I made my way to Foveran’s, the hotel’s second new food venue. Open for breakfast and lunch, the space reimagines the classic garden room with sage green latticework, interspaced planting and banquette velvet seating bathed in natural light via its central lantern roof.

Breakfast is served à la carte, complemented by a small cold breakfast station. I chose the Eggs Royal, crowned with a spoonful of caviar. Alongside a bowl of fresh fruit and a pastry basket. Those seeking a little ‘hair of the dog’, (and it might be needed after the previous night’s extravaganza), a Bloody Mary station allows you to pour your own using premium Grey Goose vodka – no corners are cut at breakfast either.

Afternoon Tea

With my diet firmly paused during my stay, I also managed to enjoy an Afternoon Tea served in the castle’s elegant dining room. The experience begins with a choice of fine teas, with the option to enhance the experience with a glass of Taittinger Brut or Rosé Champagne (which, of course, I did). First are the savoury dishes – delicate finger sandwiches, brioche sliders, sausage rolls, and canapes. Then a palate cleanser shot of gazpacho. Followed by a tier of freshly baked fruit and plain scones, accompanied by clotted cream and homemade jam. And a second and third tier of handmade patisserie and sweet treats.

Final Thoughts

Crossbasket Castle over-delivered the first time I visited eight years ago, coming back again, it’s evolved into something even more special. It’s glamorous and unique and brings with it energy unlike anything we have seen before in Scotland, if not the UK. The benchmark for luxury escapes has been raised, and we can’t wait to follow the hotel’s journey as it continues to set new standards for unforgettable guest experiences.