Where to Stay in Bristol

Updated: February 18, 2023
By Santorini Dave

5-star hotel with view in Bristol.

The view from a balcony at the historic and charming Berwick Lodge near Bristol.

Best Places to Stay in Bristol

The 8 Best Hotels in Bristol

1. Berwick Lodge

As one of the few truly independent hotels in Bristol, Berwick Lodge is a rare find. The Victorian manor house features 14 beautiful en-suite bedrooms, with large windows, beds, and incredibly spacious bathrooms with roll top baths. Each room is themed around an ancient civilisation. There’s a lovely fine dining restaurant on the ground floor. The garden, meanwhile, is expansive, with views across to Wales. Berwick Lodge is not in Bristol City Centre, but is convenient for Cribbs Causeway, the M4 and M5, and is only an easy 20 minute drive to Clifton Village. Phone number: 0117 958 1590

2. Marriott Bristol Royal

The Marriott Royal is the oldest hotel in Bristol, and its location on College Green makes it one of the city’s landmarks in its own right. Step outside the Miller & Carter steak restaurant and you’re basically in the grounds of Bristol Cathedral. The hotel has been recently restored, so the rooms are neutral and airy, with standard fittings. There are a wide variety of room types to suit different budgets, but the twin double Deluxe Room offers particularly good value. Junior suites are great for families, and some have nice views. Sadly, the pool has recently shut down, but the gym is still operational. Phone number: 0117 925 5100

3. Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel

Another historic hotel in the heart of Bristol, the Grand is a slightly cheaper option. On the ground floor, it’s got a bright restaurant and bar with a lively atmosphere. Foodies can choose to look further afield, as the excellent St. Nick’s Market is just steps away. The family rooms come with a sofa bed and significant floor space, but the compact double room offers the best value for solo travellers or couples. There is a good fitness centre and warm pool for guests to use, but it’s in an external building, so you’ll have to dash across a side street. Phone number: 0117 929 1645

4. The Bristol Hotel

With dimmed-down lights and a relaxing ambience, The Bristol attracts a more mature crowd – you won’t have to worry about wedding parties here. The English restaurant features an entirely glass section, with views of Bristol’s floating harbour. The rooms are comfortable and up-to-date, and all of them feature smart TVs that include Chromecast. Staff at The Bristol pride themselves on their excellent treatment of guests, so you can expect five star customer service. Phone number: 0117 923 0333

5. Marriott Bristol City Centre

As the biggest hotel in Bristol with 300 rooms, you’ll inevitably see the towering silhouette of the Marriott City Centre as you enter the city. All rooms are fairly large, with a reading chair, table for two, and even a desk area. In good weather, the outdoor barbeque/bar is a good place to socialise, with colourful murals reflecting Bristol’s famous street art scene. In bad weather, the gym and pool will keep you entertained. There’s a lot of nightlife in the Old Market area next door. If you’ve come to Bristol for shopping, the Marriott City Centre backs onto Cabot Circus shopping centre.
Phone number: 0117 929 4281

6. Bristol Radisson Blu

This sleek, modern hotel in Bristol Harbourside is great for a weekend break. The higher floors and mezzanine suites easily offer some of the best views in the city, but even the standard rooms have big windows for maximum views. Each room has a notably large bed and bold décor. Returning guests are treated with special care – if this is your second stay, you might find a chocolate brownie waiting for you. The Radisson Blu’s public areas, meanwhile, are also worth mentioning – there’s a small gym, plus a stylish two-level restaurant and bar area. Phone number: 0117 934 9500

7. Mercure Bristol Brigstow

The Brigstow’s rooms are fairly standard, with the decoration being colourful yet classy, and the bathrooms stocked with nice toiletries. It’s the Buttermilk and Maple restaurant that’s worth writing home about, though – many locals go there for brunch. Look out for the French toast and good selection of pancakes. It also hosts weekly live music events, and regularly broadcasts sports matches. If you’d prefer to venture outside for food, you’ll find a few of Bristol’s famous floating restaurants just across the cobbled Welsh Back street. Phone number: 0117 929 1030

8. Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa

With 42 rooms, the Harbour Hotel considers itself a boutique offering. The Grade II listed former bank building is just as stunning on the inside as it is on the outside, inkeeping with the other old banks and merchant houses on Corn Street. You’ll find a seafood restaurant and a cocktail bar on site, plus an elegant spa with romantic underground swimming pool. As a guest, you’ll get free use of the spa. The luxury continues in the rooms, with Egyptian cotton bedsheets, complimentary gin and sherry, plus White Company toiletries. Phone number: 0117 203 4445

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave I'm Santorini Dave. I started this site in 2011 with a short article on tips for visiting Santorini with kids. We're now a small team of writers and researchers dedicated to providing the best travel content on the internet. We focus on Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece, offering recommendations for top hotels, neighborhoods, and family-friendly hotels worldwide. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.