Top 5 Luxury Hotels in Bristol
With the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics vying for summer supremacy, there’s been a Great British push to keep us within our native shores this holiday season rather than jetting off to more tropical climes. For some, the notion of a ‘staycation’ means foregoing luxury. The city of Bristol, the heart of the south-west, is out to make you feel differently. With wads of cash saved on flights, there should be no expense spared when working out where to stay in Bristol. My Destination has assembled the very best luxury accommodation in Bristol to prove there’s nowhere finer to staycation in style.
Photo credit: Phil Beard (Flickr)
With its prime location on Broad Street, one of Bristol’s four original roads, The Grand is one of the most central Bristol luxury hotels. Still, it might be a feat of will to leave your room; all have recently been refurbished with sumptuous beds, ensuite bathrooms, and a flatscreen TV. If you do make it downstairs there’s a sophisticated bar and restaurant, and free access for guests to the resident health club. A city of culture sits right on the doorstep, with only short walks to Colston Hall for plays and live concerts and the City Museum & Art Gallery for a stroll through Bristol’s rich history.
Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads
DoubleTree by Hilton, Cadbury House
Photo credit: Gary Bembridge (Flickr)
A remotely idyllic setting makes this 4-star boutique hotel just as delicious as its name. Although far from the city, everything you need is onsite; a pair of stylish restaurants, a bar, a high-class salon and a spa. The real luxury here is the surrounding Mendips, so magnificent that parts are designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. In sunny weather take a relaxing walk over undulating limestone hills, or get the blood pounding by abseiling into Cheddar Gorge. DoubleTree offers something very different to the usual Bristol city-break.
Nearest train station: Yatton
Photo credit: Hotel du Vin & Bistro (Flickr)
A fully-restored Sugar House renowned for its eccentric luxury, the Hotel du Vin boasts all the comforts and amenities of a modern hotel with a few exciting twists. Several spectacular double-height loft suites are available, and the hotel hosts its own bistro serving the finest local produce and an extensive wine list renowned for its eclectic tastes. There aren’t many Bristol hotels that allow you to take your glass of red to enjoy in the onsite library! The hotel’s prime location on Bristol Waterfront puts it within touching distance of shopping heaven Cabot Circus and everything else the city has to offer.
Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads
Thornbury Castle
Photo credit: Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars (Flickr)
Step inside Thornbury Castle’s heavy oak doors and you might think you’ve slipped back to a time when luxury was unabashedly indulgent. Fires crackle in ornate hearths, long tables are dressed in elegant tableware, and the staff proffer rooms with four poster beds and decanters of sherry! This is the only Tudor castle in England to open as a hotel, and contemporary comforts blend seamlessly with the grandeur of history. On site activities are charmingly traditional, featuring archery, croquet, clay shooting, falconry, and hot air ballooning, all spread across 15 acres of gardens and grounds, including a vineyard and helipad (for those arriving in style). Kings and Queens have stayed at Thornbury Castle, and you’ll feel like royalty by the time your holiday ends.
Nearest train station: Bristol Parkway
Photo credit: SwaloPhoto (Flickr)
As the tallest of hotels in Bristol, the Radisson Blu sports unrivalled views over the city centre and waterfront. Rooms and suites feature 3 contemporary designs: chic, fashion, and fresh, and all feature the modern comforts you’d expect, with the added bonus of floor-to-ceiling windows for sky-high sightseeing. There’s also a convenient dedicated smoking floor. A central location means the Radisson is surrounded by bars and restaurants, and makes it particularly handy for harbourside attractions like Bristol Aquarium, Brunel’s SS Great Britain, and Spike Island.
Related posts
Share and Enjoy
Category: Luxury Travel
About the Author (Author Profile)
David Owen is 24 years old and lives in London, UK. He has enjoyed travel writing ever since he wrote a poem at six years old about the seagull that stole his chicken nuggets in Wales. He hopes that, having completed BA and MA courses in creative writing, his talents are now somewhat improved. His favourite trip so far was a 2-week stay at Disney World Florida, a fact he probably shouldn’t mention in the company of travel writers. David also writes fiction, and has been published as a music reviewer and poet.Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
