Artist Residence Bristol

Based in a former boot factory overlooking Portland Square in the nowadays funky and desirable Bristol neighbourhood of St Pauls, Artist Residence Bristol is one of the city’s most unique and comfortable places to stay, with all the cool, shabby-chic charm that we have come to expect from the Artist Residence group.

Once a squat, it was  rescued from dereliction about five years ago and has 23 guest bedrooms, including several suites, each decorated with the characteristic style of the other hotels in the group – vintage furniture mixed with a bit of industrial archeology, contemporary furniture, luxury bathrooms, the odd freestanding bathtub and works by local artists. Above all it’s an extremely comfortable place to spend the night: all rooms have good wifi and Smart TVs, Roberts radios and Nespresso machines – and most importantly good quality linen and comfy beds. There’s also a wide range of room types, from budget ‘Shoebox’ rooms to larger ‘Boot Rooms,’ a two-level apartment, ‘The Lookout’, which has a balcony with views over the city, and the top-of-the-range ‘Artist Suite’ and ‘Club Suite’, which look out over the square. Some rooms are dog-friendly and dogs are welcome in all public areas, and some of the larger rooms are suitable for young families - plus there are inter-connecting rooms available for more grown-up families.

Breakfast is available for an additional charge and served in the main restaurant, which is an appealing place to hang out all day if you so choose. Like the group’s other properties, Artist Residence aims to be much more than just a hotel, with a buzzy bar and restaurant, and a relaxed vibe that encourages plenty of non-resident activity. Interestingly, some of the people who used to live here come by from time to time, while, for visitors, Bristol is on your doorstep and yours to explore. In St Pauls and adjacent Stokes Croft you’re based in two of Bristol’’s most famously creative neighbourhoods, with lots of cool bars and restaurants, but the city centre is also just a short walk away, making this an ideal spot for a city break, where you can get comfortable, feel like a local, and explore the city – all at the same time.