Artist Residence Bristol: The City’s Coolest Hotel
Bristol has long been in need of a great place to spend the night. So when one of my favourite UK hotels, Artist Residence, announced they’d be opening their fifth location in the city, I was all ears. Just 5 minutes from Cabot Circus shopping centre and arty Stokes Croft, it’s a great base for exploring Bristol.
Getting to Artist Residence Bristol
The newest Artist Residence is a 20-minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads train station. Trains run direct from London and take an hour and a half. If you’re driving, there’s no on-site parking, and the nearby NCP is expensive. We paid £26 for 24 hours – something to be aware of if you’re thinking of bringing a car.
First impressions
We drove down to Bristol on the weekend Storm Eunice was wreaking havoc across England, so we couldn’t wait to get inside and hide from the rain. As we rounded the corner onto Portland Square, we were greeted by Artist Residence’s signature neon sign letting us know we’d arrived. Aside from its pink sign, the outside is fairly unassuming, blending in seamlessly with the other townhouses on the street. Artist Residence is based in a converted boot factory – a period property with large windows. As with all of their hotels, good design is at the heart. Expect quirky artwork and rustic touches.
The rooms
We checked into The Loft Room which had bundles of space and an impressive roll-top bathtub. These rooms are some of the largest in the hotel and have a separate seating area, perfect for longer stays. The bed was huge, incredibly comfy, and lent itself well to the industrial theme. One of my favourite things about Artist Residence hotels is their attention to detail. There were Neom sleep sprays next to the bed, and a toiletry bag full of things you might have forgotten – toothbrushes, toothpaste, cotton wool pads and earplugs. There’s Bramley toiletries for you to use during your stay, and dressing gowns which were perfect for us as we spent the night cosy in bed watching Homeland (yes, we’re very late to the party!).
There’s 23 rooms to choose from in the hotel, ranging from the cosy ‘broom cupboard’ to the spacious ‘artist suite’. The price between the rooms varies a lot, but always keep an eye out for offers, as Artist Residence regularly run deals.
Food and drink at Artist Residence Bristol
Downstairs, The Library was the perfect spot to spend the evening, drink in hand by the roaring fire. In the morning, a buffet-style breakfast was on offer here too (not included in your room price). They’ll shortly be opening their on-site restaurant and bar which I’m sure will elevate your stay even further. Although I can’t comment on the food in this hotel, I’ve stayed at Artist Residence locations before and they always offer a varied and delicious menu.
Things to do near Artist Residence Bristol
Bristol is a bustling city and one of my favourite places to spend the weekend in the UK. Artist Residence is based near Stokes Croft, a great place to hunt down some Banksy artwork.
Wander into town and you’ll find Wapping Wharf, a series of shipping containers perfect for grabbing lunch. Some of my favourite places to eat at Wapping Wharf are:
- The Athenian – Award-winning Gyros
- Cargo Cantina – Incredible mexican
- Salt and Malt – Local fish and chips
- Root – Vegetable-focused small plates
- Tare – Serving a seasonal 5-course menu
- Bristol Dog Town – Hot dogs and beers
- Buxton and Birdpies – Handmade pies
- Seven Lucky Gods – Asian small plates
You can’t visit Bristol without walking to Clifton and seeing the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It sits on the cliffs of the Avon Gorge and you can walk across it for free.
Can I bring my dog?
You can, you’ll just need to pay £15 per dog.
Check-in time
Check-in is at 3pm, and check-out is by 11am. You can arrange a late check-out for £20 an hour.
Artist Residence price
Rooms at Artist Residence Bristol start from £125.
Book a stay here if…
You’re visiting Bristol for the first (or second, third and fourth) time and want a genuine feel for the city. Artist Residence hotels are some of my favourite in the UK for their excellent service and beautiful bedrooms, and their newest opening exceeded my expectations.
My stay at Artist Residence was kindly gifted, but all opinions are my own. If I wouldn’t recommend somewhere to a friend, I wouldn’t recommend it to you.
