I have selected well-located Bristol hotels in the Old City, on the harbourside, near the station and in Clifton. To choose between them, think about morning journeys, evenings and the neighbourhood you want to return to.
If still undecided between areas, start with where to stay in Bristol. Then compare rooms for your dates with the same number of guests and the same cancellation and breakfast conditions.
The six hotels at a glance
| Hotel | Property | Choose it for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton Hotel Bristol City | 35–37 Broad Street, BS1 2EQ | A first stay in the Old City | A contemporary hotel rather than a small neighbourhood house |
| Leonardo Royal Hotel Bristol | Prince Street, BS1 4QF | The harbourside and a central sightseeing base | The view depends on the room category |
| Leonardo Hotel Bristol City | 3 Temple Way, BS2 0GS | Connections via Temple Meads | A walk to add to reach the Old City streets |
| Hotel du Vin Bristol Avon Gorge | Sion Hill, BS8 4LD | Clifton and the gorge | Longer journeys to the station, market and harbour |
| Premier Inn Bristol City Centre (King Street) | King Street, BS1 4ER | A simple hotel near pubs and the Old City | No on-site parking; a lively area in the evening |
| ibis Bristol Centre | Explore Lane, BS1 5TY | A simple place near harbour attractions | Compare the final price: the lowest rate is not guaranteed |
Clayton Hotel Bristol City: the central Old City choice
The Clayton is at 35–37 Broad Street, near Corn Street and St Nicholas Market. The colourful façade of the former Everard’s printing works is an easy landmark. Inside, you are booking a contemporary hotel with several room categories.
I recommend it for a first visit when you want to head in a different direction each morning. The Old City and nearest quays are explored on foot; Stokes Croft is to the north, while Park Street and Clifton lie west. The location therefore serves a varied itinerary, rather than just one particular attraction.
The Deluxe Double accommodates two people; for three travellers, the Deluxe Double Single combines a double and single bed. As a family or small group, check the selected category and beds carefully before booking.
If you dream of a small house with a few rooms and a very intimate atmosphere, this contemporary hotel is less suited to you. Choose it mainly for its central location, in a street worth exploring for its architecture too.
Leonardo Royal Hotel Bristol: stay beside the harbour
On Prince Street, Leonardo Royal is the former The Bristol hotel. The name change is recent; some guides or results may still use the old name. The address distinguishes it from the Leonardo on Temple Way.
Its strength is the quayside position near Queen Square and Narrow Quay. Start the day with the harbour, reach Harbourside attractions and easily return to central streets. It suits a stay where evening walks matter as much as daytime sightseeing.
Not every room category offers a water view. If the view is your reason for booking, select a category that explicitly mentions it. A waterside location does not mean every window overlooks the same landscape.
You will also be well placed for M Shed and SS Great Britain. For Clifton, plan a separate outing with an uphill walk or bus journey.
Leonardo Hotel Bristol City: prioritising the station
The second Leonardo in this selection is at 3 Temple Way. Its position suits arrival at Temple Meads, an early train departure or a stay including a day in Bath. It has family rooms, dining areas and the services of a large hotel.
Around Temple Way, you will not find the walks of Clifton’s streets or the covered market. The centre is accessible on foot, with that walk to allow for at the start and end of sightseeing. For a short stay, choose this hotel mainly if station proximity makes your journeys easier.
By car, also follow the hotel’s suggested route: a drop-off area is not somewhere to leave a vehicle overnight. Access information details car parks and any works, particularly around Broad Plain.
If your Bath from Bristol excursion is by train, this location avoids beginning and ending the day with an extra crossing of the centre.
Hotel du Vin Bristol Avon Gorge: for a Clifton stay
The hotel is on Sion Hill in Clifton, near the suspension bridge. Terraces and the gorge setting are part of its appeal. Choose it if you want Clifton to be the backdrop to your stay, including when you return in the evening.
Before booking for the view, check the category carefully: a room may face the village, and the Classic Gorge Vista advertises partial views of the gorge and valley. Its name therefore does not guarantee a full panorama of the bridge.
From Clifton, journeys to Temple Meads, street art neighbourhoods and harbour attractions are longer. If you want numerous visits across the city, the Old City is more convenient. Avon Gorge better suits a couple’s escape, with meals in Clifton and long walks on the hills.
Plan to pay by card or digital payment: the hotel does not accept cash. If you need an extra bed or adapted access, check that a room providing it is available on your dates.
ibis Bristol Centre: a simple base near the harbour
ibis Bristol Centre is on Explore Lane, near Millennium Square. You can easily reach the quays, Wapping Wharf restaurants and harbour attractions. Its main appeal is the location for a stay where you want to start days on foot.
I include it as a place to compare if you want a simple hotel in this area. Check the total price for your dates, breakfast and cancellation terms: the ibis brand alone does not guarantee the cheapest central room.
Premier Inn King Street: simple and well located in the Old City
This property is on King Street, near Welsh Back and Queen Square. It suits those wanting to devote their days to the city while keeping a chain hotel and central location.
Nearby streets offer dinner, pubs and easy access to the Old City walk. This is an advantage for a weekend of going out. If evening peace is a priority, check conditions and the room’s exact position before deciding.
The hotel has no on-site car park. If driving, add parking costs to your budget and check the walk from your chosen car park. The chain mentions several options in the area.
Compare its rate with other hotels in this selection for your dates. Belonging to a chain known for affordability does not guarantee it is the cheapest option every weekend.
View the King Street Premier Inn
Four things to settle before booking
- Beds: two people, three travellers and a family will not necessarily book the same category.
- The view: choose an explicit description if it motivates your stay.
- The total: breakfast, parking and cancellation terms can change the comparison between rooms.
- Arrival: check the final journey from the station or airport bus stop with suitcases.
For a first sightseeing stay, Clayton and Leonardo Royal are this selection’s two simplest starting points. One prioritises Old City streets, the other the harbourside. The other four serve more specific priorities: trains for Leonardo City, Clifton for Avon Gorge, a simple hotel near the harbour for ibis, and the King Street area for Premier Inn.