Hotel du Vin Stands Out Among Boutiques

Hotel du Vin, one of the U.K.'s fastest-growing hotel chains, isn't your usual slew of reconstituted commercial buildings outfitted with trendy furniture.

It's a five-star lineup of 11 boutique hotels housed inside historic structures such as a Georgian townhouse, a 19th-century brewery and a hospital. Each wine-themed property features luxury staples like marble bathrooms, Egyptian linens and eclectic decor. Each hotel's restaurant ranks high in its local dining scene, with extensive wine lists.

The company hasn't expanded to the U.S. or mainland Europe, so we checked out Hotel du Vin Glasgow.

The exterior facade of the Hotel du Vin in Glasgow, Scotland, makes you feel like you're living in a posh neighborhood.

First impressions: It's not the quickest or cheapest cab ride from Glasgow's main airport, which is serviced by British Airways (BAIRY Quote)and budget carriers Ryanair (RYAAY Quote) and EasyJet. The endless rain that pours on this city gives nearby golf courses like Cowglen and Cawder their legendary greens. But there will be no golfing today, as the cab speeds toward a row of Victorian townhouses on the edge of the city's center. "Welcome to One Devonshire" says a dapper bellman as he opens the cab door.

Scene from a lobby: The hotel's building, known as One Devonshire Gardens, sits behind a row of manicured trees. Inside, a stone staircase leads to a 10-foot door that opens to a hushed lounge that flickers with candlelight even in the afternoon. A couple thumbs through an antique book while resting on one of the ornate sofas.

Checking in: At one of the two desks that serve as the hotel's check-in counter, a stylish receptionist searches for reservations inside a heavy-looking binder. She suggests seeing a new art exhibition in the city. Between small talk, I take in the views of the main interior hallway, which features an aristocratic double staircase framed by stained glass that makes the red carpet glow.