Where to Stay

Thanks to its wonderful Georgian architecture and plethora of attractions, Bristol is firmly established on the tourist circuit and is well-used to catering for all types of travelers and all kinds of budgets. Whether in the city centre or in the surrounding countryside, there is plenty of accommodation to offer the visitor a home-from-home.

Arriving and Departing

If you need a place to lay your head as soon as you arrive, fear not; whether you get here by train, car or plane there are hotels conveniently placed. Close to the airport is Town and Country Lodge, whose position and amenities make it a firm favourite with both business and recreational travelers. Plush Hotel Bristol Airport is a boutique-style hotel that is also close to the airport. Holiday Inn Express, City Inn and Marriott all offer convenience and comfort close to Bristol's major railway station, Temple Meads. Standing next to the National Express Coach station is the brand new Travel Inn (Central), which despite being a rather unlovely 1960s tower block, is actually very comfortable and reasonably priced. Its position, at the end of the M32 motorway, also makes it handy for those arriving by car. Just to the north of the city lies another important transport hub, the M4/M5 motorway intersection, and there are numerous hotels which are conveniently placed to offer welcome services to the weary tourist and travelling businessman alike. The Almondsbury Interchange Hotel, the deluxe Aztec and the charming yet inexpensive Abbotts Way Guest House, are all based in this locality.

City Centre

If being in the heart of things is important to you, there are plenty of hotels to choose from in the middle of all the city centre action. For luxury that only money can buy, try deluxe hotels such as the Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel, which houses an acclaimed restaurant, tea parlour and top-of-the-range leisure facilities. Jurys on the harbourside, is also worth a try, as are the Thistle, The Berkeley Square and Hotel du Vin (choice of visiting rock stars and trendies)—all of which compete with each other to offer the pinnacle of style, splendour and comfort. There are also plenty of places centrally placed, for those on a smaller budget. City Inn is famed for offering luxurious touches for very reasonable prices and many of the guest houses, whilst lacking in terms of opulence, more than make-up for it by the sheer warmth of their welcomes—such establishments include the Rodney Hotel, the Arches, and Seeley's. If you're travelling on a shoestring consider the Youth Hostel (which enjoys an enviable position right on the quayside) and the funky Bristol Backpackers hostel, where you may well make some new friends. A stay at any of these will put you close to all the shops, nightlife, restaurants and attractions of the busy city centre.

Clifton

Clifton, in the north of the city, has been described as the most elegant suburb in Britain and most visitors spend much of their stay exploring all this area has to offer. Its wealth of Georgian architecture and parkland exercise a unique appeal and sense of tranquility, making this a great place to base yourself. Exemplary among hotels in this area are establishments such as the Clifton Hotel, Avon Gorge Hotel, (which is directly opposite the Clifton Suspension Bridge and so enjoys an amazing view), the Glenroy Hotel and the The Washington, all of which are ideally placed, close to the lively strip of Whiteladies Road - the scene of many restaurants and bars. More modest buildings such as the Downs View Guest House (where a single Victorian family home has been converted to amply accommodate dozens of guests), Rosebery House and Downlands also offer excellent value for money.

South Bristol

Just over the River, fifteen minutes from the harbour area of the city centre (home to many of the city's attractions—see the District Guide) is the area of Southville. Staying at any of the very cheap B&Bs here is a very good choice for those wanting inexpensive yet centrally placed accommodation. Just slightly removed from all the hubbub of the centre, you can enjoy a day or a night's activity in town and then take the picturesque walk across the two small bridges back to your guest house—there are any number of places to try along Coronation Road.

The East - towards Bath

To visit Bristol and not pop over to Bath, just ten miles away, would be a true shame - not for nothing is the neighbouring city called the "Jewel of the west country." Staying on the east side of the city means you are ideally placed to travel between the two cities with ease. The suburb of Brislington, a village until it became incorporated into the city a little more than a century ago, contains Arnos Manor Hotel and The Beeches, which offer luxurious service in convenient locations. There are also plenty of smaller establishments such as the A4 Hotel and the Woodstock Guest House, which are less expensive but comfortable and welcoming all the same. Further to the east are small villages such as Saltford, which enjoy good accessibility but also have the countryside right on their doorsteps. Brunel's Tunnel House Hotel and the Prospect Villa Guest House are in Saltford itself, and nearby Keynsham offers accommodation which ranges from the informality of the Fiorita (where a family are putting a couple of spare rooms to good use), to the substantial and highly professional The Grange Hotel.

On the City's Edge

If city life isn't for you and you fancy enjoying the wonderful countryside that surrounds Bristol, you're spoilt for choice. Places to stay south of Bristol include Butcombe Farm, Herons Green Farm and Woodbarn Farm, which are steeped in the timeless beauty of the Chew Valley. A little further to the south the massive Mendip hills form an impressive backdrop to lodgings such as Miltons and the Winston Manor Hotel. Visitors seeking a taste of mankind's distant past might like to consider Auden House, located near the Stone Age complex at Stanton Drew. Golfing enthusiasts will be happy to hear of the Thornbury Golf Lodge and the Tracy Park Golf and Country Club. And finally, anyone seeking a tonic to the stresses and strains of modern living should try Ambassadors Health Farm for a weekend of pure pampering.

The Seaside

To the west of the city is the internationally famous seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare, home to traditional seaside pastimes like donkey rides, a walk along the pier and plenty of arcade games. A coastal town of this reputation has no shortage of accommodation—hotel and B&B brochures can be picked up from the Tourist Information Centre (Bristol). Closer to hand, the small town of Clevedon is rather more discrete and less commercialized. It has retained much of the character of its Victorian heyday and as such has a quintessential English air. Establishments such as the Walton Park Hotel and Campbell's Landing provide great bases from which to explore.