Rooms with a view - 10 of Bristol's best

From Harbourside hotels and waterfront views to dramatic Avon Gorge-edge vistas, ancient spires and Somerset countryside, these Bristol hotels have rooms with beautiful, awe-inspiring and interesting sights to be seen:

On the waterfront: The Bristol

On a busy stretch of the city’s Floating Harbour, The Bristol’s water-side rooms (and its ground-floor restaurant The River Grille) offer a grandstand view of Harbourside life: Pero’s Bridge and passing river cruisers, the to-and-fro of Bristol ferry boats and at, night, lots of twinkly lights.  

A-spirations: Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel

This contemporary hotel sits on a hill above Redcliffe caves (the maze of red sandstone tunnels that delve under this area of the city) and offers the perfect spot to admire the heavenly spire of St Mary Redcliffe church. Over 800 years old, the cathedral-like Anglican church was described by Queen Elizabeth 1, as ‘the fairest, goodliest, and most famous parish church in England’.  On the other side of the church you will find DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol City Centre hotel; ask for a church view room.

Call of the wild: Camp Baboon at Wild Place  

Check into Camp Baboon at the Wild Place Project and enjoy woodland views from a cosy timber glamping pod (sleeps 4) set in the heart of this zoological conservation park. Sit on your own little verandah and gaze into the camp fire, or up at the stars; listen to the wind in the trees or the chatter of the gelada baboons next door.  

Castle from the air: Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre 

The west-facing rooms of this modern hotel offer an eyeful of Bristol history. What you see below is Castle Park – a popular green space between Bristol Shopping Quarter and the Floating Harbour – where the archaeological remains of a medieval castle sit alongside the shell of war-damaged St Peter’s Church.  

Double act: Number Thirty Eight, Clifton 

Overlooking the Downs in one direction and the city in the other, this hilltop townhouse has excellent views from every room. From the front rooms, it’s all grassy vistas (and limestone downland); from the rear, you can just see Wills Memorial tower and the Mendips beyond wiggly rows of coloured houses. The glamorous top floor suites are double aspect – the best of both worlds.  

So gorge-ous: Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin

Find us another city hotel that has better views than this one. A matter of opinion of course, but the classic Victorian hotel is perched on the edge of the rocky Avon Gorge and has the best views of Brunel’s magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge and the National Trust’s Leigh Woods beyond. The hotel has been rebranded as a Hotel du Vin, so the views are pretty good inside, too. 

Old city: Bristol Harbour Hotel 

Created from two adjoining 18th century banks, the Harbour hotel and spa is right in the thick of the old merchant’s quarter – once, it was Bristol’s answer to Threadneedle Street - the views peek at Georgian stonework, arches, spires and gargoyles and peer down the alley-ways that nip into St Nicholas Market.  

On a high: Radisson Blu  

Bristol’s tallest hotel offers brilliant views from most of its 176 rooms. Floor-to-ceiling tinted windows take in the Harbour, the city, the centre and beyond – you can see the countryside in the distance. The higher you go, the bigger and better the views: take a deep breath when you see the view from the giddy heights of the penthouses on the 17th floor.   

Aah, the country: Backwell House 

From nine sunlit rooms with bateau beds, roll-top bath tubs and Georgian windows, pig out on peaceful Somerset countryside: leafy meadows, sparrows, hedgerows and Backwell’s own ornamental walled garden. The food is excellent, too.  

Birders' hide-away: Bewick’s Lodge at WWT Slimbridge

Bring your binoculars to this apartment set in the former home of Sir Peter Scott, founder of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. Wake up to spectacular views of Rushy Lake abuzz with birdlife, including the eponymous Bewick’s swan in winter, from your four-poster bed or head up to Scott’s personal viewing tower. Nods to the legendary conservationist’s pioneering life and legacy are woven among the luxurious interiors, including much of his own artwork.

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