A RESTORED sugar house, formerly a collection of grade II-listed warehouses from the 1700s and very much a relic of Bristol's trading past, this is now a typical Hotel du Vin, a stylish blend of old and new. Access is via one of Bristol's main thoro
ughfares, but you enter through a cobbled courtyard used for outdoor drinks in the better weather, past the fountain and into the reception area, with its modern staircase. All other public rooms are in the original style – the bar, with its heavy beams and slouchy sofas, the restaurant a candlelit yellow panelled room, and full of atmosphere. There is also a library, a billiards room and a walk-in humidor.
Getting there Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) flies from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Bristol international airport seven days a week. One-way fares start from £37.98, plus booking fee. The airport is eight miles south of the city centre, but there is are designated taxis and the Bristol Flyer coach service.
Room Service Rooms are individual and modern in style, some with beams, all with moody lighting and big, very comfortable beds dressed with Egyptian linen. The bathrooms are also large, with powerful walk-through monsoon showers, and some rooms also have a bath. There are several double-height loft suites.
What's the food like? The Hotel du Vin chain was founded on good food and a great wine selection. The Bistro restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and features seasonal, locally sourced products. You'll find classic dishes such as braised pig cheeks with black pudding, sea bream on a bed of spinach, calf's liver with mustard mash or pork belly with red cabbage and prunes, finishing with a caramel parfait with honeycomb and roasted cashews. The wine list is, of course, very good too. A three-course dinner costs approximately £40 per person.
Out and about Bristol is good for walking and shopping, and at night its many bars and restaurants turn it into something of a party city. It also has some great sights: the rejuvenated waterfront – try a cruise along the canal to get a very different impression of the city – the SS Great Britain and the Clifton Suspension Bridge, both created by that wonder of the Victorian age, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Then there are the dizzying views of the Avon Gorge from the bridge, not to mention Clifton's pretty Georgian squares and streets. There is also a famous zoo and several galleries and museums, including one charting the history of the city's slave-trading past.
Little extras The Hotel du Vin has its own brand of shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion, and a note in the bathroom invites you to take them away with you.
The bottom line Full-price nightly rates start from £145, room-only, but there are special offers available from £99, so it is always worth enquiring.
