Hotel Review • Europe • England • Bristol • St Pauls

Artist Residence Bristol: The Ultimate Artist’s Home From Home—and Its Minibar Is Top-Notch

With a library, bistro, bar, and an ideal quiet city center location, it’s the ideal creative escape.

Courtesy of Artist Residence Bristol

BY ALEXANDRA PEREIRA

Why it works

Hotel Snapshot

There’s a hint of Banksy edge and Portishead cool dripped throughout this quintessentially Bristol bolthole. Artist Residence Bristol is a 23-key four-star boutique hotel in Bristol, England, starting from £144/$194 per night with breakfast and free use of the working areas.

Counting London, Brighton, Cornwall, Oxfordshire amongst their other locations, small hotel group Artist Residence count this one in Bristol, West Country, as their newest spot, and it’s so far proven a hit with guests and locals alike as a creative hub for talks, screenings and hangs (their Friday night happy hour and their excellent menu of locally-sourced produce drawing a fresh and relaxed crowd of artists and thinkers).

Design & Character

Set in a grand Georgian house on Portland Square, the house is all gleaming banisters, heavy doors, natural light, and old features married with striking modern art. There’s a hint of Banksy edge and Portishead cool dripped throughout this quintessentially Bristol bolthole. Shopping at nearby repsycho.co.uk/ and other vintage shops, or attending a gig, is probably more Bristol-wired than a natty wine bar, as is visiting Chinatown or harbourside for hand-pulled noodles or ramen—there’s a huge Asian diaspora. St Pauls offers proximity to nice wine bars and restaurants, as well as small galleries and earth-conscious shopping, plus the annual carnival, honoring its multi-cultural community, and borders Stokes Croft (5min walk), which offers even more nightlife and bohemian atmosphere.

The Rooms

Artist Residence Bristol is a 23-key four-star boutique hotel. Stepping inside from a typically wet British afternoon, dim lighting complements the flood of daylight through original sash windows into the enormous Artist Residence Suite, replete with creaking wooden floors, a gigantic roll-top tub, walk-in shower, and smatterings of art curated from local painters and draughtsmen. Good TVs, fridges, and organic cosmetics throughout each room, plus robes and soft linens.

The Food & Drink

As a nod to the building’s history, the Boot Factory diner/bar has soft and welcoming booth tables, poured concrete floors, stylishly chipped walls, and bursts of large, bright paintings. Standout dishes on the small plates menu are many - particularly the seasonal-centered vegetarian and pescatarian options such as charred hispi and Cornish trout. Order a boozy affogato for dessert. Cocktails are always changing, and nicely seasonal too, with their botanicals. The bar stocks an excellent gin and whisky collection, and a martini made with Black Cow Vodka (made with milk curds in Devon) is a must-try. Local pit stops also include Carmen Street Wine for a cozy, light chilled red, and the country’s first-ever vegan Portuguese dining room where the custard tarts will have you returning daily. plantuguese.com

Amenities

There is a 24h concierge, but no spa or gym - this space is about working quietly, reading, resting - or socializing with friends, colleagues or strangers alike. Proximity to the whole city is top. Their events page is worth checking out nearer your visit - as are local gig and theatre listings. https://www.artistresidence.co.uk/whats-on-bristol-new

Location & Neighborhood Recs

As a city, Bristol is known for its street art, growing food scene, underground art and music community and nautical history. Museums and art galleries can be found all over, as well as olde worlde pubs and good vintage shopping - there’s a big focus and following of sustainability and environmental work here in the city. Proximity by car or train to historic Bath and the wider Cotswolds - as well as the west coast and lower Somerset - make Bristol a good city alternative to London or Manchester.

Fast Facts

Address: 28 Portland Square, Bristol, BS2 8SA

Neighborhood: St Pauls

Nearest Airport: Bristol

Star Rating: ****

Starting Rate: Starting from £144/$194 per night with breakfast and free use of the working areas

Room Count: 23

Vibe: Relaxed, friendly and cool

Best For: Solo creatives, city breakers, couples. Families and dogs welcome too.

Amenities: 24-hour concierge/local parking/full breakfast available/pet-friendly/cots and camp beds available

Our Favorite Thing: The tub which fits two, if not three, in the eponymous suite.

Gallery

A closer look

Courtesy of Artist Residence Bristol

Courtesy of Artist Residence Bristol

Courtesy of Artist Residence Bristol

Courtesy of Artist Residence Bristol

Courtesy of Artist Residence Bristol

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