6 min readBristol is an independent city and fiercely proud of it too, so where better to stay than in an independently-owned hotel, B&B, apartment or guesthouse?
Small and family-run places to stay in Bristol can offer a real personalised touch and a chance to get under the skin of the city. Our selection below includes larger hotels, luxury apartments and cosy guesthouses, as well as some award-winning campsites.
City centre
Brooks Guesthouse
This family-run boutique guesthouse is located next to St Nicholas Market in the city centre, close to the harbourside and Bristol Hippodrome. You can opt to stay in one of their affordable standard rooms, or one of the four airstream-style caravans on the roof if you fancy some urban glamping.
Image - Brooks Guesthouse
Kyle Blue
Stay on a refurbished barge in Bristol’s historic harbour! Kyle Blue can sleep up to 30 guests in private and shared dormitory cabins, and is available for exclusive use. Enjoy the views from the upper deck and private lounge, while tucking into a meal you've cooked in the self-catering kitchen.
Image - Kyle Blue
Clifton
The Berkeley Square Hotel
Housed in a Grade-II listed Georgian building, this hotel offers affordable luxury in the middle of the city. Just a short walk from the shops and restaurants of Clifton and Park Street, the Berkeley Square Hotel also has its own restaurant and bar, The Square Club, and offers guests access to their Square Works co-working space. It's also dog-friendly if you want to bring your pooch along!
Image - Berkeley Square Hotel
The Clifton Hotel
This three-star hotel, part of the local Clifton Hotels group (along with The Rodney Hotel, The Washington Hotel and the Berkeley Square Hotel) is just moments from Clifton Village but also within easy reach of city centre entertainment. Each room is stocked with complimentary refreshments, including a bowl of fresh fruit, loose leaf tea, biscuits, ground coffee and a cafetiere, or you can pop downstairs to Racks Bar & Kitchen, which is the perfect spot to grab some lunch or watch some sport.
Image - The Clifton Hotel
The Bristol Lido Townhouse
Combine a spa trip with a luxury stay at this five-bedroom Georgian townhouse, just around the corner from the Bristol Lido, where you can enjoy a discounted visit for £15, and also book into the restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Image - Bristol Lido Townhouse
Berkeley Suites
Located just off Park Street and around the corner from the scenic Brandon Hill park, these luxury apartments each have a private patio, tall ceilings and chic interiors. A freshly-cooked breakfast can be enjoyed at The Square Club next door, or you can ask to have it delivered straight to your apartment.
Image - Berkeley Suites
Country getaways
Wookey Hole Hotel
Situated adjacent to the world-famous Wookey Hole Caves (your hotel booking gives you discounted access to the Wookey Hole attractions and Wild Wookey caving experience), this large hotel is the perfect base for a family break or base for exploring nearby sites, including Cheddar Gorge, Wells, Bristol and Bath.
Both Wookey Hole Caves and the hotel are owned by the Cottle family, famous for founding Gerry Cottle's Circus, and co-founded The Circus of Horrors. The family also own nearby Bucklegrove Holiday Park and Mendip View Lodges, which offer more rural self catering stays.
Image - Wookey Hole Hotel
Berwick Lodge
Surrounded by 18 acres of private garden and woodland, this luxury country house hotel is just 20 minutes from Bristol city centre, and also within easy distance of the shops and attractions in Cribbs Causeway, with excellent links to the M4 and M5 motorways. A popular local wedding venue, this hotel also has its own 2AA Rosette restaurant, Hattusa, where you can enjoy dinner, cocktails or afternoon tea.
Image - Berwick Lodge
Lilycombe Farm
Comprised of three luxury cottages, this 5* Gold Award accommodation in the Mendip Hills can sleep up to 22 people, making it perfect for a special getaway with friends or family. As well as being on the doorstep of many local attractions and scenic country walks, Lilycombe Farm also has its own games barn with table tennis, table football, and a cinema projector screen.
The Old Parsonage
Choose between the main house for a luxury bed & breakfast, or stay in one of their self-catering apartments, all with access to the pretty gardens. The apartments are also pet-friendly if you want to bring your pooch along for a country break.
The Queens Chew Magna
Book a cosy stay at this pub in the scenic Chew Valley, where you can enjoy a warm welcome, local food and drink and stylish B&B rooms.
Image - Queens Chew Magna
Campsites
Brook Lodge Farm
This award-winning campsite has been run by the same family for over 50 years. The farm itself dates from the 18th century and is nestled just below the Mendip Hills, with great locations nearby for walking, bird watching and cycling.
The site has a range of pitches for caravans and motorhomes, as well as grass pitches and hard stand pitches. There's also a separate paddock with its own facilities for group bookings, a play area for children, and special accessible features such as a wet room.
Image - Brook Lodge Farm
Basecamp at Mendip Activity Centre
Based on the site of the independently-owned Mendip Activity Centre, this off-grid family adventure camp just outside Bristol has a range of accommodation options, from the option to camp where you like with your tent, or book one of their rental tents or lodge rooms.
The campsite, which is open during the school holidays, has a great selection of facilities, including fire pits, free daily activities, hot showers, flushing toilets, a camp shop and a fully-licensed bar and café. Guests also have access to a range of fun activities at Mendip Activity Centre, including kayaking, paddleboarding, climbing, archery, tobogganing, snowsports and Frisbee Golf.
Image - Basecamp at Mendip Activity Centre
Coastal Stays
Lauriston Hotel
Situated in the heart of Weston-Super-Mare and with views across Weston Bay, this independent hotel is a great choice for seaside lovers.
Image - Lauriston Hotel
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