I remember visiting the hotel a few years ago and was excited to go back. Memories of modern rooms with a touch of luxury and a fabulous restaurant overlooking the waterfront were still fresh in my memory. It would be good to see if it had changed.
If you are coming by car, parking is easy as the hotel has a multi-story car park next door. Take a ticket and get it validated by the hotel to park for £5 for 24 hours. A bargain in the centre of a popular and busy city like Bristol.
Check in was by Javier, who was very efficient and pleasant. When he offered us a warm towel to wipe our hands, I thought I was back in Dubai! Flavoured water was also available free of charge in reception and was so refreshing, a sparkling concoction of apples, cranberries, and elderflower, delicious!
Our room wasn't ready but they offered us a room on the third floor with a view of the harbourfront area, and of course, we agreed! If you book directly through them you get a priority upgrade too so that is good to know.
love the decor!
The decor was fresh, modern and with a pop of bright pink, I loved it! This deluxe room was well appointed with complimentary bottled water, a Nespresso machine, safe, iron and ironing board and hairdryer. I was really pleased to see robes and slippers as you don’t get these all the time. There is nothing nicer than relaxing in a fluffy soft robe whilst watching tv in a hotel ( eating chocolate is optional).
Spacious room with desk, TV, Nespresso machine and separate seating area
Room service options
The room service options sounded really tasty. From light options such as soup of the day to healthy superfood salads to British classics like burgers, fish and chips and steak, there were options for everyone. I liked the sound of West Country cheeses with crackers, cider and apple chutney. Great to see that the Bristol Hotel uses local food producers, bravo!
The bathroom was compact and bijou, but everything was in excellent condition and modern. The toiletries were excellent quality too being from the Temple Spa brand. Good to see a bath and a shower.
It was great to see a safe in the room, which I feel is an essential these days. I also appreciated the note that was left encouraging you to conserve resources - if you did not want to change towels every day, just let the staff know.
So after a freshen up, we went down to the hotel bar for a drink and a meal.
cool seating area by the lifts
As we waited for the lift we spotted a cool seating cream leather seating area. I bet many a guest has sat there after a glass of wine waiting for the lift to arrive.
lounge area
So down to the lounge. The lounge area was designed in muted shades of beige, cream and browns and felt very restful and somewhere good to relax.
bar
The bar area was very smart and the drinks selection were decent. My eyes were immediately drawn to the cocktails. I mean it would be rude not to have one, wouldn't it? So we ordered a Pinacolada and a Margarita. The Pinacolada was fruity and rich, but the creaminess came from the creamed coconut not cream, so good if you are avoiding dairy. Mr W enjoyed his Margarita, which can be hard to get right, having the right mix of sweetness, sourness and salt. Peanuts and some sort of delicious chilli crackers were provided complimentary. So far so good.
As we sat and relaxed we spotted a piano, but Mr W resisted a round of She'll Be Coming Round The Mountain on the old ivories, best keep that one until later!
After our drinks, we went down to the beautiful River Grille restaurant.
The menu that evening was, for want of a better word, a mix of 'posh' dishes such as sea trout fillet with roasted cauliflower and salsa verde and comforting British classics such as sirloin steak and fish and chips.
Two dishes that caught my eye were the duck breast with savoy cabbage, crushed new potatoes and port sauce and the slow-cooked lamb shank with colcannon, romanesco broccoli, beets and jus, both at £18. I have an issue with mashed potatoes after being served cold mash at school so colcannon may have been one mash too far. I selected the lamb however they kindly substituted crushed new potatoes instead of the colcannon. Mr W went for the Jasper grilled chicken breast with Jerusalem artichokes, rainbow carrots, beets and jus also priced at £18. But firstly our starters - scallops and tomato and basil soup.
scallops
The scallops were presented exceptionally well and tasted fantastic. On a bed of carrot and ginger puree, the combination of flavours really brought out the sweetness of the scallops, and the ginger wasn't overpowering. A drizzle of lemon oil added a freshness to the dish and the seared crust was well executed. If I was being picky though I would have liked an extra scallop as they were so delicious!
tomato and basil soup
The tomato and basil soup had a hint of heat that added an extra kick. Served with fresh soda bread and Welsh butter it tasted homemade but had a refined edge that you get with restaurant style cooking.
lamb shank
Then onto the mains.
The slow-cooked lamb shank was divine and really well cooked so the meat fell off the bone, and the crushed new potatoes were incredibly well seasoned, and buttery. The dish was a generous portion so if you love lamb and are hungry I would definitely recommend it. My only criticism of this dish is that the Romanesco broccoli was a little underdone for me as it was very al dente.
Jasper chicken
Mr W's Jasper chicken was pan fried so it gained a scrumptious crispy skin and was set on a plate of interesting vegetables such as cooked beetroot and artichoke. The jus added a nice richness and sweetness to the dish and it was not overly heavy on the stomach. A well prepared and well cooked dish.
Could we manage desserts? Of course! Mr W managed to squeeze in a lemon meringue pie for dessert and I was tempted by the chocolate and raspberry bombe.
The lemon meringue pie had a crisp pastry case with a creamy sharp lemon custard filling and a soft meringue top. A good lemon meringue pie, the meringue was slightly under done but good all the same.
I asked the waitress for a recommendation for dessert and was advised that the chocolate and raspberry bombe was amazing so I was really looking forward to it. When the chocolate bombe arrived it was definitely a WOW moment! A crisp white chocolate shell was presented on the plate, and I watched tentatively as the waitress dribbled warm sweet milk chocolate sauce over the dish.
As she did the chocolate shell melted and inside oozed out a decadent chocolate mousse. A further surprise was a raspberry jelly inside the shell, a lovely fruity flavour combination with the rich layers of chocolate. This was my favourite part of the meal and I think as an expert on desserts (Well I've eaten enough!) I can say it was an outstanding dessert, rich without being overindulgent, and extremely well presented. We decided to leave coffee and further drinks, as we were too full to eat another morsel. What did we think of the meal? An excellent meal, that was very near perfect.
Bed beckoned and after one of the most comfortable night's sleep in a long time, we stumbled down to breakfast the next morning. Breakfast was also served in the River Grille, and it was lovely to sit and watch the world go by on the waterfront whilst eating our breakfast.
Gregg serving us at breakfast was very personable and informed us it was a buffet breakfast, and after our toast and tea order, we eagerly went to check out the selection on offer.
The selection was everything you would expect in a hotel of this calibre and ranged from pastries and muffins, cereals, fresh fruit, meats, cheese and yoghurts and a hot breakfast served buffet style. I liked the fact that they had a 'juice of the day' which was rhubarb and other items you don't always get such as fresh smoothies, bircher muesli and soda bread were available.
The breakfast was excellent and we both enjoyed it very much.
The Bristol Hotel is a very good four-star hotel on the waterfront area of Bristol, with an excellent restaurant. The deluxe room was well appointed and the staff were personable and very well trained. It's classy and chic without being stuffy. With room rates starting at £96 a night for a double room I feel for a city centre hotel of this standard it is very well priced too. Would we stay again? Most definitely and we honestly can't wait to go back. Highly recommended.
Bed beckoned and after one of the most comfortable night's sleep in a long time, we stumbled down to breakfast the next morning. Breakfast was also served in the River Grille, and it was lovely to sit and watch the world go by on the waterfront whilst eating our breakfast.
Gregg serving us at breakfast was very personable and informed us it was a buffet breakfast, and after our toast and tea order, we eagerly went to check out the selection on offer.
The selection was everything you would expect in a hotel of this calibre and ranged from pastries and muffins, cereals, fresh fruit, meats, cheese and yoghurts and a hot breakfast served buffet style. I liked the fact that they had a 'juice of the day' which was rhubarb and other items you don't always get such as fresh smoothies, bircher muesli and soda bread were available.
The breakfast was excellent and we both enjoyed it very much.
So with heavy hearts, it was time to leave the hotel and check out.
Check out the video my husband made for our travel blog and YouTube channel Fly Drive Explore
The Bristol Hotel is a very good four-star hotel on the waterfront area of Bristol, with an excellent restaurant. The deluxe room was well appointed and the staff were personable and very well trained. It's classy and chic without being stuffy. With room rates starting at £96 a night for a double room I feel for a city centre hotel of this standard it is very well priced too. Would we stay again? Most definitely and we honestly can't wait to go back. Highly recommended.
The Bristol
Prince Street
Bristol
Prince Street
Bristol
BSI 4QF
United Kingdom
+44 117 923 0333
United Kingdom
+44 117 923 0333
This hotel looks like an elegant place to stay on a trip to Bristol. The food looks great! What was your favourite meal?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed the chocolate and raspberry bombe!
DeleteThe hotel looks so stylish. The food setup loos fantastic too. My sister lives in Bristol but I've never explored it that much x
ReplyDeleteIt's such a vibrant city, we try and visit once or twice a year.
DeleteI love everything about this hotel but I am particularly drawn to The River Grille - just looking at the scallops and lamb shank tells me that this is my kind of restaurant!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you when I ate there. The food is so up your street.
DeleteIt looks like they have thought about all the little touches and everything is so well presented. This is such a great location too, close to Clifton and college green but right by all the bars and shops.
ReplyDeleteYes it is an excellent location.
DeleteWhat a lovely stay! Bristol is one of my favourite places so I love this, the room looks gorgeous and the breakfast is making me feel so hungry right now!
ReplyDeleteWe stayed when we went to the SS Great Britain. It's a great hotel, we've stayed before and would certainly go back.
DeleteWe've actually stayed in this hotel before although didn't eat there. It's lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt is!
DeleteThis sounds like a lovely hotel to stay at during the holidays. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks Crystal.
DeleteThe hotel looks amazing, so modern and fresh and I think I'd have fallen in love with those dessert options
ReplyDeleteThe chocolate and raspberry bombe was fantastic.
DeleteWe've only had one brief visit to Bristol city centre, In must go back and this hotel looks perfect. Its so nice to see some colour in a hotel bedroom. it all looks wonderful. Mich x
ReplyDeleteI loved the colour too, so many hotel rooms are beige these days.
DeleteWhat a wonderful hotel! I love Bristol and haven’t been for a while so I might try and persuade the OH after seeing this! The scallops from your meal look incredible too :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a really lovely hotel. Hope you get the chance to visit one day.
DeleteWow, what an amazing place!!! The food looks spectacular- that chocolate bombe... yum!
ReplyDeleteThe dessert was out of this world.
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