The Best Boutique Hotels in Bristol, UK

Once the love shack of King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Thornbury Castle is a Downton-esque show of upper-crust excellence. Stay in their former room; it’s now a suite with a four-poster bed, walk-in shower and luxury bathroom amenities. Frankly, though, all the rooms are royal-worthy. The property is a 30-minute drive to the city centre, but your compensation is a large, well-maintained estate with a dedicated space for roses; a flourishing herb garden whose contents are regularly pinched by the kitchen and bar; and a labyrinth.

Gastronomy plays a central role in this cosy boutique hotel near Bristol and Bath. It’s been run by Daniel and Gemma since April 2019; the former is a classically trained chef and a champion of local suppliers. Those carefully sourced ingredients make up a good portion of the hearty, seasonally changing restaurant menu. The rooms are comfortable and reasonably priced.

The Victoria comes straight from a period drama – the hotel is split across a pair of Grade II-listed buildings on a romantic Georgian square. The rooms, simple and homely in design, have pleasingly high ceilings, and most have leafy views. Breakfast is either a full English or a selection of granola, fruit and yoghurt. Choose the latter if you plan on tramping around Clifton Village, a prime destination for boutique shopping and latte-sipping.

If you’re planning a city break in Bristol, book a room at the Rodney. A prime spot in Clifton means you’re a quick walk from loads of great restaurants and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, one of the city’s main attractions. The hotel itself is part of a pretty Georgian terrace, and has 31 homely single and double rooms. There’s also an award-winning restaurant, No.4 Clifton Village, which serves afternoon tea and a seasonal menu of locally sourced ingredients.

Style reigns at the Artist Residence, a design-forward boutique hotel in the creative community of St Pauls. The guest rooms and suites are individually designed, with limited-edition prints, vintage furnishings and rainfall showers – some come with roll-top bathtubs. The Library bar and restaurant serves the type of all-day breakfast you’d find in hipster cafes, plus signature and classic cocktails, craft beers, and wine by the carafe.

Love a building with a past? The Gothic Mansion has a story or two to tell. It was built in 1862 by renowned architect William Venn Gough and has since been an orphanage, a refuge for WWII casualties, a children’s home and a hippy commune. It’s now one of the best boutique hotels in Bristol – and an occasional set location for TV shows. You’ll stay in traditionally styled rooms, with decor such as canopy beds, golden chandeliers and lots of patterned wallpaper.

Offering 12 stylish rooms, Number Thirty Eight is Bristol’s new cool boutique hotel. Hidden in the wonderful Clifton area of the city, this restored Georgian merchant’s house seeks to provide a home-away-from-home experience, with a gourmet breakfast, afternoon tea and a vast drinks menu. There’s even a terrace offering breathtaking views of the surrounding rooftops and the rest of the city.

If you want a Bristol boutique hotel experience with a modern and contemporary feel, then you’ll want to stay at Brooks Guesthouse. Situated right in the heart of the city, right next to the vibrant St Nicholas Market, there’s plenty to do and see just outside your hotel room. Breakfast is served in their open-plan kitchen with a choice of eggs, full English, granola and more. There’s even the option to rent an airstream-style caravan situated on their roof for a truly unusual experience.

Not only does this boutique hotel in Bristol cost under £100 a night, it’s also Bristol’s very first Art Hotel offering exhibitions every four months or so from contemporary artists. Each room comes with luxurious linen sheets, a complimentary decanter of Bristol Cream sherry, fresh fruit, teas, freshly ground coffee and handmade biscuits – now if that doesn’t tempt you, what will?

Having opened only a few years ago, this is the most talked-about hotel in the city. With an emphasis on luxury, the Bristol Harbour Hotel has fused two former bank buildings together to offer contemporary accommodation, while keeping the traditional interiors. With an award-winning restaurant and cocktail bar attached, not to mention the in-house spa, this is an extremely grand boutique hotel with a difference.