We're officially into winter now - the nights have drawn in, the weather is approaching baltic, and we're all in need of some pampering.
And where better for pampering than the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel?
The luxury hotel's award-winning spa, which many would consider one of the best in the city, is currently undergoing work for an 'extensive reimagination' including a new wellness area and snowfall feature.
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So when Glasgow Live heard about THAW - a brand new outdoor winter spa garden - we were eager to try it out.
The staff at Blythswood are always lovely and welcoming, and the hotel is looking particularly charming with its festive decoration and Christmas trees taking centre stage.
After getting settled in our (lovely) room, my partner and I got changed into our dressing gowns and slippers and made our way to the basement.
THAW is a pop-up spa located in the hotel's courtyard described as a "Scandinavian-inspired, ultimate winter hideaway".
The courtyard has been transformed under a canopy of twinkling fairy lights, with the space featuring a hydrotherapy hot tub, two four-seater saunas, a steam room and two sunbeds.
While there is naturally limited space, the hotel has worked hard to make it feel cosy and welcoming and it's hard not to be charmed by the sight - especially when it's accompanied by some of the tastiest complimentary hot chocolate I've had.
I'm never able to resist a hot tub, so I was quick to jump (carefully step) into the tub in the corner and began to let go of some of the pre-Christmas stress.
The sauna was also lovely, especially after stepping from the hot tub into the icy Glasgow air, and the music/sound therapy playing from speakers in each room was a very nice touch.
Unfortunately, there were some technical issues with the steam room that meant we didn't get to try it out - but as I'm more of a sauna person anyway, I didn't feel that I missed out too much.
The only potential issue is that due to its small size, you need to be strategic about which of the treatments you would like to use unless you want to get very cosy with a few strangers.
But the highlight by far was the 55-minute full-body massage treatment we received afterwards.
Nothing makes you realise just how knotted up your shoulders are, and how much you've needed to unwind, quite like a full body massage. Blythswood uses products by ishga - a Scottish brand that creates products developed in the Outer Hebrides with seaweed and water from a natural spring. While I'm not an expert, I can vouch for the products certainly feeling effective, and smelling great (which is a necessity in my book).
So if you've been looking for a sign to get finally get some treatment for that niggling pain in your back, this is it!
Now fully relaxed and unknotted, our last stop of the evening was at the hotel's restaurant, iasg. Firstly, there's no denying just how beautiful the space is, with the turquoise art deco-inspired bar the centrepiece of the room.
We started off with a cocktail at the bar - I had a margarita while my partner went for a strawberry daiquiri - before being led to our table.
I opted for the charred hispi cabbage, peanut satay, sesame-glazed carrot, and coriander while my partner chose the venison haunch, salsify, potato fondant, cavolo nero, blackberry ketchup, juniper jus.
The food is definitely fancy, but it's also warming and cosy - and the portions are very generous. The hispi cabbage was delicious with the peanut satay sauce my highlight of the plate, while my partner inhaled his venison.
We had strategically (and reluctantly) bypassed the starters in order to save room for dessert, which turned out to be an excellent decision.
I can never turn down a cheeseboard if it's on the menu so I opted for the Scottish cheese, Arran chutney, seaweed crackers and quince while my partner had the praline fondant, Arran salted caramel ice cream.
The cheese was very tasty and went down a treat, but although I'm loathed to admit it, my partner's choice was probably even better it was silky and chocolatey and the salted caramel ice cream added a perfect salty balance. Luckily, I managed to steal enough of it to not feel hard done by.
A trip to the Blythswood Square Hotel will always feel like a treat, and a visit over winter definitely adds some luxury to a fairly harsh (if festive) time of year.
THAW is now open at the Kimpton Blythswood Square hotel. You can book your winter wellness experience and any spa treatments ahead of your stay, visit https://www.kimptonblythswoodsquare.com/.
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