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Floating Retreat: Glasgow's Hidden Gem - Urban Life Meet Canalside Tranquility

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Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV, DVD player, books, music library
2 bedrooms, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board
Exterior
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire house boat

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 477 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire house boat to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Floating Retreat: Glasgow's Hidden Gem - Urban Life Meet Canalside Tranquility

Discover a unique urban retreat aboard Gerda of Glasgow, a beautifully appointed Dutch barge moored just a 10-minute stroll from Glasgow's bustling city centre. This floating haven offers all the comforts of home with a dash of nautical charm.

Perfect for up to four guests, Gerda boasts an inviting open-plan kitchen and living area, warmed by a cosy log-burning fire. Two comfortable bedrooms and two well-appointed bathrooms (one with a shower, the other with a luxurious bath) ensure privacy and convenience.

Built in 2017, Gerda of Glasgow provides a distinctive base to explore one of Scotland's most vibrant cities. Immerse yourself in Glasgow's rich cultural tapestry - world-class museums, captivating art galleries, diverse restaurants, and electric nightlife are all within easy reach. Culture enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to the Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall, both less than a 20-minute walk away.

For nature lovers, Gerda offers the best of both worlds. Enjoy your morning coffee on the rear deck, watching ducks and swans glide by, or venture to the nearby Claypits Nature Reserve. This urban oasis offers wooded walks and serene paths along the Forth and Clyde Canal, just minutes from your floating home.

Feeling adventurous? Ask about our complimentary canoe, perfect for exploring the waterway at your own pace.

Just steps from Gerda, you'll find Ocho Cafe, an ideal spot for brunch or lunch with excellent vegan options. For those seeking relaxation, Ocho Spa offers a range of pampering treatments - perfect for preparing for a night out or unwinding after a day of sightseeing (booking advised).

During your stay, you'll enjoy complete privacy on board Gerda, your fixed accommodation in this prime location.

We're typically available to greet guests upon arrival, but we also provide a secure key safe for flexible check-ins. We're always just a phone call away for any questions or assistance you might need.

For guests looking to extend their Scottish adventure, we offer a fully-equipped, four-berth VW T6 Transporter campervan. Whether you're drawn to the rugged beauty of the Highlands, the winding roads of the North Coast 500, or simply want to explore Scotland's breathtaking scenery at your own pace, our campervan provides the perfect blend of comfort and freedom. Ask us for details and pricing to create your ideal Scottish getaway.

Property manager

Jonathan Patrick

Languages

Arabic, English, French

Property amenities

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Toaster
  • Electric kettle
  • Paper towels
  • Spices
  • Coffee/tea maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Towels provided
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Video library
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Safe
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels (on request)

Location highlights

  • On the waterfront
  • In the city center
  • In a rural location
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 828.8 sq ft (77 sq m)

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Children are very welcome.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number GL00126P

About the neighborhood

Map
Glasgow, Select

What's nearby

  • Buchanan Street - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • George Square - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
  • University of Glasgow - 4 min drive - 3.1 km
  • OVO Hydro - 5 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre - 5 min drive - 4.4 km

Getting around

  • Possilpark & Parkhouse Station - 3 min drive
  • Cowcaddens Station - 10 min walk
  • Glasgow International Airport (GLA) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chinatown Restaurant - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Theatre Royal Glasgow - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Castle Vaults - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Ardnamurchan - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪The Bucket List - ‬13 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Floating Retreat: Glasgow's Hidden Gem - Urban Life Meet Canalside Tranquility pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Floating Retreat: Glasgow's Hidden Gem - Urban Life Meet Canalside Tranquility?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Floating Retreat: Glasgow's Hidden Gem - Urban Life Meet Canalside Tranquility?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Floating Retreat: Glasgow's Hidden Gem - Urban Life Meet Canalside Tranquility located?

Located in North West, this houseboat is within 1 mi (2 km) of Glasgow School of Art and George Square. OVO Hydro is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) away. Cowcaddens Station is 10 minutes by foot and St Georges Cross Station is 15 minutes.

Floating Retreat: Glasgow's Hidden Gem - Urban Life Meet Canalside Tranquility Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 35 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 37 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Pauline S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A cosy stay
Loved our stay on board Gerda, everything that we needed and more! Loved the cosy evenings with the log burner. The location is a quiet haven near enough to the city to walk or use the subway. Jonathan met us on our arrival and was very attentive when we had questions about our stay. There is so much to see and do in Glasgow. Thank you for a great stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

lana g.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gerda is the best!
What an adventure finding a barge in the middle of Glasgow. We had so much fun! My son loved looking for fish and feeding the ducks while my husband and I enjoyed a glass and listened to music. She is a treasure for sure :)
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Memorable Glasgow Stay
Thanks Jonathan, for our lovely stay on the gorgeous Gerda! Quiet, safe, clean and stocked with loads of comforts for adults and teens (WiFi works great, Netflix, games, kitchen). Surprisingly spacious, and the beds were really comfortable, delivering a restful night's sleep after full days exploring Scotland. Minutes from all the neighborhoods, and transportation stations, whether walking or taking a car service. And don't worry about warmth in the winter - the heaters and fireplace work great! A unique experience that we'll always treasure.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

Liked: Cleanliness
LOVED our stay on Gerda!
The Gerda houseboat is a truly unique and elegant place to stay in Glasgow. Jonathan and Chris have outfitted it with everything you could need, from Tupperware for leftovers, eco-friendly bath products, to travel guides and extra outlet converters. They even stocked the fridge with a few food essentials and have a whiskey tasting bar! In addition, there are lots of great restaurants within a 5-10 minute walk, a nearby subway stop, and a wonderful coffee shop right at the wharf. We can’t recommend Gerda or its hosts more highly.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Kandy H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Scotland get away
Boat was great. Off street parking was a little bit hard for our big rental van but really enjoyed our stay
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Justin T., Denver, CO

Liked: Cleanliness
Vacation on Gerda
Staying on Gerda was a lot of fun for a week! Had a very livable living room and sleeping quarters and full kitchen! The owners are very attentive, hospitable and wonderful people. The neighborhood is very quiet and allowed us to sleep in every day we were there. A little walk to the center of town (15-20 minutes) but very close to a couple great coffee shops, Ocho and C7, which we enjoyed during our stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

corrie c.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous stay in Glasgow
Unique, comfortable, quiet in a part of town that day as very easy to get anywhere after a short walk to the nearby subway stop. Would happily stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bridget F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Get thee to gorgeous Gerda!
Finding this unique gem was the highlight of our trip! In a fantastic location, the boat is beautifully restored and very comfortable - especially important for my older parents. The location was fantastic and the owners were incredibly kind and helpful, even bringing over a bottle of wine to toast our celebration! This was an unmatched experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Ben G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved our Floating Cabin in Glasgow
The houseboat was so comfortable and nice for us during our stay. The wood burning fireplace was a huge help with the cold night and was a great nice end to each of our travel days. the access to the boat was a little difficult with the security barriers to the wharf but once we got used to it was ok.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Glasgow escape
Brillant. Narrow boat , Claire the host was very helpful and nice . Loved it . Will def go back . Not far to walk into town either
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

DAVID B., Reed City, MI, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique
This was a unique place to stay. It was near everyplace we wanted to visit while staying. The "Gerda" was very nice, we have never stayed on anything like her before. It was our last stay before heading home to Michigan. What a way to end our vacation! Claire was great! Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ian B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gerda barge in Glasgow
Beautiful Dutch barge on Glasgow canal. Everything we needed for a great stay. Great hosts who made sure we were looked after. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nicola R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic stay
We had a fantastic stay. Ideal location and very spacious property which housed everything we needed. Highly recommend .
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Khushroo B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Exceptional
Staying on a houseboat that was super spacious, kitted out really well to a high standard, super comfortable double bed, within walking distance from Glasgow city center, and really well priced; can't ask for any more Really friendly hosts Claire and Michael, living across the road in one of the flats and there for help if needed We even pulled off a short trip up and down the canal to pump out the sewage Loved it and highly recommended Thank you Claire and Michael
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

CHRIS R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing and very relaxing
Amazing
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Melanie D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy and unique houseboat experience
Great base for exploring Glasgow on foot
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Julie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Barge
Such a lovely barge with everything you needed and more. We were celebrating a birthday and visiting family in glasgow couldnt ask for a nicer place. Loved our stay and will definately return. THANK YOU CLAIRE
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Dream come True
Booked as surprise as I always dreamed of waking up on a canal boat on my 50th birthday, and was every bit as magical as I imagined. Ger-da was our floating home from home, a wee hidden gem in Glasgow, such peace and tranquility so close to the centre of my favourite city. Thanks to Michael and Claire the hosts for their help and support to make a dream come true.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Antonio T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thank you Gerda...you were great!
Never stopped on a houseboat before and we loved it.It's really nice and relaxing being by/on the water and the weather was great too!The boat is roomy and is kitted out with everything you need for your stay.Communication with the hosts was very good and made us feel welcomed on their boat.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Helen O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quirky and great
We had a wonderful stay on Ger-da! It was quirky enough to be fun for a holiday, but with all the luxuries needed for a comfortable break - 2 bathrooms, decent size rooms and beds, high quality kitchen area. Very easy downhill walk into centre of town.. but harder work on the way back up - or a £4.80 taxi ride! Hosts were so welcoming and friendly as well..
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Hidden Gem
We had a brilliant week staying here. Accommodation was very clean and facilities were excellent. Ideal location and very friendly hosts. Look forward to our next stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Catherine W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Haven close to the city
Gerda is a gorgeous, well maintained vessel, complete with every amenity we required. Car parking was convenient, safe, and free. Claire met us on arrival, and is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. We took full advantage of her local knowledge to get our bearings, find groceries, and eat out at local restaurants. We appreciated Michael stopping by to top up the water, after we did all our laundry. This eco-friendly boat is a 10 min walk from the city, and a short drive from The University of Glasgow - a wee haven in an oasis away from the hustle and bustle. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Anne S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Euros 2020 - Glasgow!
We needed a place to stay as we had tickets for the last 16 matches at Hampden Park. Came across this quirky accommodation which we loved. Great location - free parking and safe walk into Glasgow (about 10 mins). Took a walk along the canal and it's great to see local area being developed for walking and leisure, Plenty of shops, bars and restaurants to walk to or taxi very cheap. Boat spacious and quiet location. Highly recommend a stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

martin l.

Liked: Cleanliness
R
Excellent communication and just as described on Vrbo. Great location.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stephen B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Houseboat at Port Dundas
Fantastic barge on Glasgow Canal. Lovely owners, lots great places to walk on doorstep almost
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2021