Artist Residence Bristol Shortlist*
Bristol, England
Good Hotel Guide Review
Once a boot factory, this fifth venture for Justin and Charlotte Salisbury on the corner of a Georgian garden square is promoted to the main Guide now it’s found its feet. Part of a renaissance of the formerly down-at-heel St Paul’s district, which still has an edgy feel to it, the hotel ‘gets everything right, in line with its brand of studied artistic quirkiness’, report our inspectors. ‘The interior is wonderful, with masses of space, and its industrial past much in evidence.’ Bedrooms range from ‘broom cupboards’ to the Artist Suite, with floor-to-ceiling windows and open-plan bathroom. A loft room was ‘light, with soaring, white-painted rafters’, fresh milk in a fridge, rugs on bare floorboards, ‘a very powerful shower in a large, flat-bottomed bath’. A reader’s 'broom cupboard' was ‘compact, but very comfortable’, with a ‘good range of coffees/tea, radio playing jazz as I arrived’. All have hand-picked artworks. In the drop-in café/bar, you can dine casually on dishes such as as 'tasty Korean-style chicken burger with salad’. Breakfast is ‘also good – avocado on toast with chillis’. Full marks for ‘terrific staff’ and a fun, ‘very young vibe’. (Donald Reid)
Hotel details
Address
28 Portland Square
St Pauls
Bristol
BS2 8SA
England
Telephone
0203 019 8623
Bedrooms
23. 2 accessed by external fire exit. Not suitable for wheelchair.
Open
all year.
Facilities
bar (breakfast, snacks, drinks), games room (table tennis), snug dining room, 2 event spaces, in-room smart TV, art workshops, courtyard garden with retractable awning.
Background music
all day in lounge and bar. Live music nights.
Children
all ages welcomed, extra bed £30.
Dogs
well-behaved dogs allowed in some bedrooms and bar (£15 a night, beds, bowls, treats).
Credit cards
Amex, MC, Visa.
Prices
Room-only doubles from £125, cooked breakfast from £8, full English £13.50. À la carte £35. Min 2-night stay Fri, Sat, bank hols (but check).
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