The Best Hotels to Book Near SS Great Britain
Cider, ships, the suspension bridge: Bristol has them all. These hotels are the best you’ll find near the SS Great Britain. Plus, they’re within easy walking distance of the town centre and are all bookable on Culture Trip.
If you’re big on nautical history, you’ll know that Brunel’s SS Great Britain is one of the most important historic ships in the world. If you’re not, you might know that some of Bristol’s best bars, restaurants and must-visit attractions have sprung up in the area around this iconic vessel.
1. Bristol Harbour Hotel & Spa
Boutique Hotel, Spa Hotel, Hotel
2. Avon Gorge by Hotel du Vin
Hotel, Luxury
If you like your rooms stylish and with a view, they don’t get much better than this. At the front, you’ll look over the quaint Georgian rooftops of Clifton Village. From the back, you’ll drop jaw at Brunel’s suspension bridge and the Avon Gorge below. Wander down to the expansive outdoor terrace bar to enjoy a pint of local cider with the Bristolians who still can’t get enough of the view, no matter how many times they see it.
4. Number 38 Clifton
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
5. Brooks Guesthouse Bristol
Boutique Hotel, Hotel, Guesthouse
6. Berkeley Suites
Apartment, Luxury
Remote working and travel are an ideal combo, but working while away sometimes needs a different set-up than a traditional hotel room. Enter Berkeley Suites. These apartments offer a luxurious hotel stay with a few extra perks. The wardrobe opens to reveal a mini-kitchen, allowing you to cook independently, while a digital projector doubles as both a TV for entertainment and a conference call helper. While you stay, you can also access the Square Club, a co-working space next door, and when work is done you’re perfectly placed in the middle of the city for exploring and adventures.
7. Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel
Hotel
Take a grand Victorian building in the oldest part of the city, renovate it and ask local artists to cover the walls with colourful prints – and you’ll get the Bristol Grand. Colourful, retro furniture in rooms and the lounge areas mix with industrial elements to create a modern vibe while also nodding to the hotel’s historic surroundings. The in-house bar and restaurant, Keepers, is a destination worth visiting in itself: the imaginative menu incorporates honey from the urban beehives kept on the roof.
8. Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel
Chain Hotel
This impressive hotel is part of the architecture of Bristol, occupying a prominent spot next to Bristol Cathedral. From arriving in the sweeping driveway to checking out, the guest experience is exceptional – which is no surprise, as they’ve been welcoming guests for 150 years. A recent restoration means that the rooms feel modern and clean, overlooking some of the city’s key landmarks. And the best ice cream shop in Bristol, Swoon, is just across the road – check the queue from your window and rush over as soon as it diminishes.
9. Berkeley Square Hotel
Boutique Hotel, Hotel
10. Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel
Hotel
Let’s be real. As you approach this hotel you might be put off by its high-rise concrete appearance. But we all know that it’s what’s on the inside that counts, and this couldn’t be more true here: characterful rooms offer riverside views and thoughtful features. What the exterior lacks in looks, it makes up for in location: not five minutes down the cobbled street you’ll find a barge selling what’s rumoured to be Bristol’s best burger, as well as a converted cider boat where you can sample a sip from almost every local maker. Trust us, there’s a lot of them.
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