Forbes House

Forbes House Overview

I’ll be honest – when I first pulled up to Forbes House on Forbes Drive in the East End, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. This isn’t your typical hotel experience, and that’s actually what makes it so interesting. It’s one of those places that doesn’t fit neatly into the usual star rating system, which should tell you something right off the bat.

The East End of Glasgow has this gritty, authentic character that you won’t find in the city center, and Forbes House sits right in the middle of it all. You’re about a 15-minute drive from the main shopping areas, but honestly, that’s part of the charm. The neighborhood has this lived-in feel – you’ll hear real conversations from locals walking by, smell proper fish and chips from the shop down the street, and get a sense of what Glasgow actually feels like beyond the tourist bits. Parking was surprisingly easy when I stayed, which anyone who’s driven in Glasgow will tell you is a minor miracle.

The property itself is quirky in the best way possible. I mean, you can tell this place has stories – the kind of character you get in a building that’s been around and seen things. The rooms have this comfortable, slightly worn-in feeling that somehow works perfectly. It’s not trying to be fancy or Instagram-perfect, and that’s refreshing. You know what struck me most? The quiet. Despite being in a residential area, evenings were surprisingly peaceful. The check-in process was straightforward – no fuss, just friendly efficiency from people who clearly know the neighborhood inside and out. Sure, you might notice a few things that wouldn’t fly at a chain hotel, but that’s exactly why places like this matter. There’s something genuine about staying somewhere that feels more like a local secret than a tourist destination. If you’re the type who values character over polish and wants to experience Glasgow from a different angle, Forbes House delivers exactly that experience.

Hotels in Glasgow offer visitors the opportunity to stay in the heart of this cultural gem, with easy access to historic districts, charming squares, and renowned whisky bars.

Forbes House Accommodations

Reviews of Forbes House

• Good – Janet from United Kingdom – September 7, 2025 (7/10)

  What could be improved: Would have appreciated a quilt for the bed settee.

• Absolutely Terrible Stay – Unclean, Unsafe, and Hostile Experience – Narumon from Thailand – August 1, 2025 (1/10)

  nothing at all. Worst experience in my life.
  
  What could be improved: I stayed at Forbes Place from July 2–4 and it was by far the worst experience I've ever had through Booking.com. When we arrived late at night, the room was clearly not cleaned or prepared for any guests. Used towels were scattered on the floor, there were no bed sheets, and the toilet was extremely dirty. It was obvious no one had cleaned the place before our arrival.
  
  We messaged the host that night, but since it was quite late, we didn’t get a response—which we understood. However, we were left in a horrible situation. We couldn't sleep at all. We had to use our own towels to cover the mattress just to feel somewhat clean, and even then, it was very uncomfortable and unhygienic.
  Because it was raining and already too late to make other arrangements, we stayed the night—only to be woken up early the next morning by a maid who asked if we were checking out. This confused us, as we had booked for 2 nights. She told us the owner had scheduled cleaning for a new guest that day.
  
  We asked to speak with the owner directly. When we did, things got even worse. Instead of listening to our concerns, he yelled at us and blamed us for everything. We tried to calmly explain how unacceptable it was to stay in an unclean room, especially on dirty bed sheets likely left by previous guests. But he offered no apology—only hostility, yelling, and disrespect.
  
  To make matters worse, despite paying a cleaning fee, the room was not cleaned at all. On the day we checked out, my brother discovered bed bug bites all over his arms and body, which made the entire situation even more disturbing.
  
  This stay completely ruined what was supposed to be a happy occasion—my brother’s graduation. The trauma and stress we experienced at this place made it the worst stay we’ve ever had on Booking.com. We felt unsafe, unheard, and disrespected. I strongly urge future guests to stay away from Forbes Place.

• Estancia poco recomendable – Pilar from Spain – July 2, 2025 (4/10)

  La decoración, la comodidad de las camas, todo nuevo
  
  What could be improved: La desatención cuando me comuniqué con los propietarios por varios problemas pero sobre todo por uno muy importante, la cerradura de una puerta exterior que da a un patio estaba estropeada, lo que puso en riesgo nuestra seguridad y la de nuestras pertenencias. Tuvimos que arrimar una mesa de cristal para sentirnos "algo" más seguros. La ducha tiene un sistema muy malo, sí quieres regularla te va a costar mucho y si quieres agua caliente te ducharás con poco caudal, y si quieres caudal, ducha casi fría. Hubo más cosas mal pero ya se las comenté a los propietarios y no se hicieron responsables.

• Exceptional – Anonymous from United Kingdom – August 21, 2025 (10/10)

• Very Good – Stella from Greece – August 6, 2025 (8/10)

Surroundings