Here's another corker from one of the UK's most innovative and creative hotel groups. Artist Residence Bristol has been a labour of love for Charlie and Justin Salisbury and their team. Housed in a handsome Grade-I listed Georgian townhouse and former boot factory on leafy Portland Square, it endured a litany of planning consents, and then a year-long lockdown hiatus. But boy, it was worth the wait.
The vibe is their usual eclectic mix of industrial, vintage, and bohemian - particularly apt for Bristol, with its rich street art and alternative music scene (think Banksy, Massive Attack, Idles et al). Alongside original coving, exposed brick, high ceilings and huge sash windows, its 23 rooms and suites bristle with upcycled furniture and thought-provoking artworks. Downstairs is a laid-back bar and eatery, plus a fire-warmed lounge-bar and a sun-trap patio for summer drinks.
Step outside, and you've got all the independent boutiques, cafés, pubs, street art and music venues that are revitalising Stokes Croft and St Paul's; plus the harbourfront and historic centre in easy walking distance. Come here for a fun and fresh look at one of Britain's most vibrant but underrated cities.
Highs
- Centrally located at the heart of the action, with loads of indie shops, cafés, pubs and the harbourfront all in walking distance
- We love the delicious breakfasts packed with local produce
- The vibrant restaurant is fast becoming the neighbourhood hangout (and our first-choice venue for i-escape cocktail parties!)
- Lots to look at: thoughtful design, vintage furnishings, enviable (and highly Instagrammable) pieces by local artists
- Great value for money
Lows
- No designated parking – although there's metered parking on the square, and other car parks close by (some with EV charging)
- This is a Grade 1 listed building, so it isn't totally soundproofed – ask the hotel which rooms are quietest
- If you're here for the iconic suspension bridge and chic Clifton village, be prepared for a bit of a hike
Best time to go
Bristol has plenty to do all year round. Summer is the liveliest season, with festivals and events most weekends, and plenty of open-air eateries and parks along the harbour. Key festivals include St Paul’s Carnival and the Harbour Festival in July, and the famous Balloon Fiesta in August. The colder months are a perfect excuse to explore the city's shops, cafés and museums; there's enough for a week just within walking distance of the hotel.
Our top tips
Bristol is gaining an enviable range of film venues. Near the hotel, The Cube is a tiny and wonderfully quirky venue showing a refreshingly eclectic mix of world and cult movies, as well as cabaret nights and live music. For indie cinema, The Watershed on the Harbourside is one of the best around, while for luxury and decadence, Everyman Cinema on Whiteladies Road is set in a gorgeous auditorium with plush, sofa-style seating and tasty food and drink brought to your seat.
- Boutique Hotel
- 23 rooms
- Restaurant and bar
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 23 rooms and suites vary hugely in size and price, but all share the Artist Residences' distinctive industrial-chic style (which, need we say, we love). They're gorgeously dressed with limited-edition art, brightly coloured pillows, upcycled furniture and vintage finds; and housed in high-ceilinged rooms with exposed brickwork, sculpted cornices, and big sash windows in the larger rooms.
Entry-level rooms, unassumingly dubbed Shoe Box or Broom Cupboard, are super-cosy but perfectly formed crash pads: ideal for short stays. Expect arched windows, comfy kingsize beds and compact bathrooms. Chapter St. and Boot Rooms are more spacious, with bigger beds: perfect for a special weekend away à deux.
For a bit more luxury, opt for the vast Club or Artist Suites in the Georgian half of the building. You get your own sitting area, a fabulous statement rolltop bath, and floor-to-ceiling windows with views of leafy Portland square. But our favourite suite was The Lookout: a mezzanine-style split-level apartment in the eaves, with a spiral staircase leading to a private terrace offering 180-degree views over Bristol’s rooftops.
All bedrooms offer fast WiFi, Smart TVs, Roberts radios, Nespresso machines, thoughtfully-stocked minibars (including Bristol ales and artisan gins), organic Bramley bath products, powerful plate-sized rainfall showers and, most importantly, extremely comfy beds. Boutique bliss.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Minibar
- WiFi
Eating
Boot Factory, the main restaurant and bar, is a fun and friendly hub for hotel guests and the local community alike. Expect laid-back but high-quality fare, with a courtyard garden for the sunny days, and visiting artists or musicians. It's open for business from breakfast to bedtime, offering separate menus for every meal, plus cocktails and other drinks. We could easily have lazed all day here, sipping Bristol roasted coffees and teas, then locally brewed beers or superb cocktails (we loved the gin and prosecco-based Portland Fizz).
Breakfast ranges from fresh pastries and yoghurts to house-made granola and full English. There's a separate brunch menu at weekends, and a lunch menu on weekdays with brunch-style offerings (Turkish eggs, sourdough toasties, buttermilk chicken burgers). In the evenings they offer a seasonal dinner menu, which is fresh, vibrant and ever-changing. It's served in their intimate dining room, The Snug.
Meantime, with Cabot Circus and Stokes Croft a 5-minute stroll away, there’s no shortage of other great places to eat out. Our top tip (book ahead) is Poco, an award-winning British tapas restaurant with an emphasis on seasonal veggies and ethical produce. Or wander on to trendy Wapping Wharf, a bustling waterfront hub of global cuisine served from converted shipping containers.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Restaurant
Activities
- Buzzy Stokes Croft and Picton Street (5 mins' walk) are a melting pot of innovation and culture, set amid an ever-changing landscape of independent cafes and art - a must for Banksy and street-art fans
- Just around the corner is The Cube Cinema, a wonderfully quirky venue showing a mix of world and cult movies, as well as cabaret nights and live music
- Soak up the indie vibe of Gloucester Road, the UK’s longest strip of independently owned shops; or browse high street and designer brands in the one-stop-smorgasbord of Cabot Circus (2 mins)
- Stroll down to the lovely harbourside (15-20 mins) for boat trips, art-house films at The Watershed, multimedia exhibitions at The Arnolfini, city history at the M-shed, and Brunel's first masterpiece: the SS Great Britain steam liner, brilliantly brought back to life
- Brunel's other masterpiece, the famous Suspension Bridge, is a 15-minute scooter ride away (Voi e-scooters are readily available for hire across all of Bristol); nip up to the Observatory for the best views over bridge and gorge
- While you're there, browse the upmarket boutiques of Clifton Village; or book a swim-and-spa in the refurbished Victorian Lido
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Cycling
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
Kids
Although all ages are welcome, we think the cool city vibe and stylised restaurant-bar are better suited to hip couples and friends. That said, all Workshop and Loft rooms can accommodate cots, whilst the Artist and Club Suites have space for an extra bed and a cot. There are also interconnecting rooms, including The Lookout and Boot Room combo.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Artist Residence Bristol is set on Portland Square in Bristol, near the city centre and the main access road (the M32).
By Air
Fly into Bristol Airport (12km / 30 minutes away) and either take a taxi, prebook a transfer with the hotel, or catch the bus.
By Car:
Easily accessible from the M4 and M5. Note that the hotel has no car park; you can use metered spaces nearby.
By Train:
Get the train to Bristol Temple Meads, then take a 5-minute taxi to the hotel.
Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Bristol 15.0 km BRS
- Heathrow 165.0 km LHR
Other:
- Beach 25.0 km
- Shops 0.2 km
- Restaurant 0.2 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 8 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape