Formerly a boot factory, this historic building in Bristol has been lovingly spruced up but remains true to much of its character. Exposed brick walls are — as you might expect — adorned with canvases, prints and photographs. It’s all very cool, as is the crowd in the bar-restaurant. Here, bar tables extend off the columns that support the extremely high ceiling and attentive staff mix cocktails behind the brick bar. The ambience is lovely: groups of friends sit at the sage velvet banquettes chatting — some eating, some just drinking.
Overall score 8/10
Main photo: the Artist Suite at Artist Residence Bristol
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Rooms and suites
Score 8/10
The 23 rooms are fun: you might have an upcycled wardrobe, a four-poster made of bamboo or African table lamps, hand-carved bed head or a pampas-grass mirror. My attic room was bright and the bed cloud-like. The bathroom came with a clawfoot Victoria bathtub and big bottles of Bramley products.
Food and drink
Score 8/10
The menu at the smart bar-restaurant is divided into small plates, veggie dishes, mains and pizzas that come with rave reviews. Highlights include the hummus with pickled crudités, padron peppers; salt and pepper squid with saffron aioli, and crayfish linguine with lemon, parsley and chilli. The pizzas, especially the “mean green” with pesto, kale, mozzarella and tomato, are first rate. Breakfast includes the usuals — smoothies, granola, avo on toast and full English — alongside other dishes such as sweetcorn fritters and banana-bread French toast.
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What else is there?
Score 3/10
There is a small coffee bar where you can grab a drink to sip in the library lounge with its armchairs, vintage dining table and huge windows. This is a base for exploring Bristol — don’t expect a spa or treatments. It’s not that kind of place.
Where is it?
Score 8/10
Stokes Croft, with its arty pubs and cafes is on the doorstep, while Cabot Circus, the city’s smart shopping centre, is a couple of minutes’ walk. A Voi scooter is the way to get around this city known for its hills — and there are parking spots all over. Pick one up in nearby Brunswick Square via the app. Then take a look around the happening Harbourside, admire the Georgian architecture in Clifton and head over the suspension bridge to explore the Ashton Court Estate.
Price Room-only doubles from £115
Restaurant Mains from £12
Family-friendly Y
Dog-friendly Y
Accessible N
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