Glasgow getting a ****** star hotel

A Dubai-based hotel company has unveiled plans for a "five-star super deluxe" hotel in Glasgow.

Jumeirah Group hopes to open the 26-storey development in the city's Argyle Street in 2011.

The hotel would have 160 guest rooms and suites and 85 serviced apartments. It would also feature a rooftop cocktail lounge, restaurants and bars.

The development would be Jumeirah's fifth hotel in Europe and its first in the UK outside London.

Construction of the hotel, designed by Ian Simpson Architects, would be overseen by Progress Property Developments.

'New dimension'

Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell said: "Today's announcement is a resounding vote of confidence in Glasgow and its future ambitions.

"This is made all the sweeter by the fact that Jumeirah does not operate anywhere else in the United Kingdom outside London."

Simon Calder, the Independent's travel editor, said the new hotel would transform Glasgow's skyline and image.

"The fact that the Jumeirah group have chosen to put Glasgow with London, New York and Shanghai as one of the locations for a new hotel speaks volumes for the city," he said.

"It's also going to create a new dimension to Glasgow and Edinburgh's relationship - Edinburgh will certainly be looking to see how they can respond to it, maybe by going for the elusive seven-star hotel.

"Boutique hotels, which are offering a bit of class and individuality on a budget, are very popular - but a high-end six-star hotel has to be a good thing."