Review: Artist Residence Bristol
Artist Residence Bristol review - in a sentence:
Superb value, stylish boutique bolthole in an up-and-coming corner of Bristol.
Design: 5/5
Although I'm a bit of a boutique hotel obsessive, I had never stayed in an Artist Residence hotel before. Despite this, I felt I already knew what to expect – the brand has such a strong visual identity that fans will be very familiar with the artfully 'undone' interiors.
The Bristol outpost is no exception; think distressed plaster, lots of quirky vintage pieces and tactile furnishings. Statement artwork is also dotted throughout (naturally!)/ A few of my favourite pieces were the Dave Buonaguidi in the library bar, and the Layla Andrews in the far corner of the dining room.
Once an old boot factory, the bones of the building are also incredibly beautiful, with high ceilings, original beams and exposed brick galore.
The end result is incredibly relaxed and homely, but everywhere you look there is something interesting or unique – it's a real haven for the vintage magpies among you!
Food & drink: 3/5
We enjoyed a really nice brunch in the hotel restaurant.
I'll admit, service was very slow, butttt the wait gave me more opportunity to snap away at the gorgeous artwork dotted around the dining room, and the floor manager kindly offered to comp part of our bill in apology too.
Location: 3/5
Just off leafy Portland Square, this is the perfect spot both for shopping (the city centre is right nearby) and for exploring Bristol's up-and-coming areas like Stokes Croft and Montpelier. This is the cool, edgy side of Bristol – think colour and bohemia, not drab cityscapes.
I really liked that the property is in a quieter area, but appreciate that some people may prefer to be closer to the centre.
To-do: 3/5
This is a city bolthole so there are minimal bells and whistles, but there's lots of beautiful nooks and crannies for you to enjoy a tipple or bite to eat, and the large dining space is a lovely communal gathering area.
Reasons to book:
Suuuuper affordable
Lovely design scheme
There are very few boutique hotels in Bristol so, if you need a place to stay there, I can’t think why you wouldn’t book here!
Any negatives?
The only real negative I can think of is that you’re slightly out of town (but that won’t be a negative for everyone)
The final word:
Bristol has been in dire need of a design-led boutique hotel. This fits the bill perfectly and doesn't break the bank. I booked my stay very last minute and paid around £200 on a Saturday night; that was cheaper than the city centre Travel Lodges, etc. A no brainer!