Eurovision Song Contest: Glasgow hotel bookings soar as city named in final two

Hotels are already booking up fast in Glasgow after the city was named one of just two contenders to host the Eurovision Song Contest.

Scotland’s biggest city is going head to head with Liverpool – with the 14,000-capacity OVO Hydro lined up as the venue if Glasgow wins.

Eurovision – which is coming to the UK because war-torn defending champions Ukraine can’t host – takes place over five nights, culminating in a grand final on the Saturday.

Although the event’s dates haven’t been confirmed, a search on Booking.com shows that 90% of Glasgow hotel rooms are already booked up between Tuesday, May 9 and Sunday, May 14.

Meanwhile, the hotel chain Travelodge said: “Anticipation is certainly rising as to which city will be hosting the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

“As one of the UK’s biggest hotel chains, we are seeing a surge of visits, not just from all corners of the UK, but internationally, to our website to research Travelodge hotels in the shortlisted cities.

“Glasgow is currently a very popular search location on our website, which attracts nearly a million viewers a week. Our six hotel teams across Glasgow have everything crossed that the city is selected as the host city.”

Room prices have rocketed at other hotels as a result of demand for those dates.

When STV News checked, a premium room at Yotel in the city centre for May 9-14 on a non-member rate was priced at £799 per night, a total of £3,995 for the week, up from just £122 per night from Oct 25-30 – an increase of over 550% .

The Glasgow Marriott’s deluxe room package for non-members costs £3820 over the dates in May (£764 per night) compared with £990 for a Tuesday to Sunday stay in October (£198 per night).

A Queen room at budget hotel ibis Styles’ is £1668 for a flexible booking over the five nights in May, compared with £737 in October 25-30.

UK Hospitality Scotland executive director Leon Thompson said: “If Glasgow is selected as the host city for Eurovision, then it will be a well-deserved accolade for the Unesco City of Music.

“After a very difficult few years, during the pandemic and its aftermath, Eurovision would provide a very welcome additional boost to the city which time and again demonstrates itself to be the perfect stage for live music events.

“Visitors coming to the city can be sure of a warm and friendly welcome, with the city’s hospitality businesses offering excellent experiences and service in pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs.

“As with all major events, accommodation will be at a premium. So, if Glasgow is successful then visitors planning to attend Eurovision, or simply travelling to the city to enjoy the atmosphere, should book as early as possible.”

Aberdeen and Edinburgh also put in bids to host the contest, but failed to make it through to the second stage.

Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield made the original shortlist of potential cities.