Rooms

The 11 bedrooms are all equally elegant. Shades of pigeon-grey and mizzle lift the wood-panelled walls, carpets are stylish sisal, and distressed leather trunks, battered wooden boxes and industrial-chic tables hark back to a Bristol of times gone by.

The most luxurious rooms are the suites. There are 2 Loft Suites on the top floor, which run the depth of the house, enjoying open views of the Downs to the north and the city to the south. The East Loft Suite has soothing décor and loads of natural light; by contrast, the West Loft Suite is painted dramatic petrol blue, creating a real refuge.

In an adjoining building are the 2 newer suites: Suite 11 and Suite 12. Both are light and airy, topping 55 sqm in size, and the views through the original sash windows are knock-out. Sisal carpets, grey wood panelled walls, velvet-clad beds and chairs, and funky retro pieces create a classy look. We stayed in Suite 12 and loved the polished iron roll-top tub, and the bed was one of the comfiest we’ve ever slept in.

Also spacious with tubs and separate showers are the Luxury Double Rooms. If you can, book Room 3 - its freestanding bath is perfectly placed for enjoying the view. Room 7’s basement window lacks aesthetic appeal, but its bathroom does offer rooftop views.

Available as doubles or twins, the Superior House Rooms are ideal for friends sharing or children over 12. Both have showers; in Room 5 you get a bathtub-with-a-view, too. The smaller House Rooms are located on the lower ground floor, closest to the noise of the terrace, but they're beautifully presented, with walk-in showers in their ensuites (a couple have tubs, too).

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• WiFi

Eating

The Number Thirty Eight team excels at breakfast. Continental delights, including granola, pastries, fruit, yoghurts and stewed fruit compote, are all laid out in the elegant reception rooms. You can also select from various cooked options: the Full English will keep traditionalists happy, while garlic mushrooms with poached eggs on toast will tempt vegetarians. For me, the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and chives were perfect.

Available until 8pm are coffees, cream teas, wines and cocktails, best enjoyed in front of the fire or on the terrace as the sun sinks behind the rooftops. And in your room you’ll find a minibar stocked with drinks and nibbles to satisfy any impromptu cravings - Tyrells Crisps, Green & Black’s chocolates, locally produced apple juice and various tipples (we liked the Chateau Lavanau Merlot).

Adam decided not to offer any other meals at Number Thirty Eight, choosing instead to encourage guests to explore Clifton’s fabulous range of eateries. Bustling Whiteladies road is just a few minutes' walk away and a welcome pack in each room provides plenty of suggestions. The hotel works with local eateries to provide exclusive offers for Number Thirty Eight guests - perhaps a complimentary cocktail or glass of prosecco with your meal - and The Ox, The River Cottage and Polpo are particular favourites. Staff will happily book tables for you, just ask.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• No weekend in Bristol is complete without a visit to Brunel’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Walk across the Downs to the Clifton Observatory for elevated views of the bridge and the gorge beyond
  
• Clifton’s refurbished Victorian Lido has an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and a stylish poolside restaurant and bar (book well in advance). Equally, the upmarket boutiques in Clifton Village are a shopaholic's heaven, with many eateries to help keep you going
  
• Head to the harbourside to take in an art-house film at The Watershed, see a multimedia exhibition at The Arnolfini, and explore the city’s past at the M Shed museum. Boat trips are also available
  
• Culture vultures should head to Bristol Old Vic, Colston Hall, the Tobacco Factory, St Georges and the Hippodrome for theatre, dance, comedy and live music. For nightlife and live gigs, try the O2 Academy or Thekla
  
• Tour Brunel’s vast Victorian liner, the SS Great Britain. Built in Bristol, it shipped emigrants to the USA and Australia, and now sits in splendour on the waterfront
  
• Step out of the B&B and onto the Downs; at approximately 400 acres you'll easily forget you're in the middle of one of Britain's largest cities

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Hot air ballooning
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets
• Swimming

Kids

Number Thirty Eight welcomes children over 12, but there are no extra beds or interconnecting rooms, so you will need to take a separate room for your child/ren.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Number Thirty Eight is in Clifton, just to the north of Bristol city centre, in southwest England. It's set on the edge of the Downs (open parkland).

By Air
Fly into Bristol Airport (15km / 8 miles away), which has numerous services from other cities across the UK and Europe. It's a 25-minute taxi ride to the B&B. Alternatively, you can take the Bristol Flyer bus service, which runs every 10 minutes from the airport to Clifton.

By Car
Number Thirty Eight is easily accessible from the M4 and the M5, however local council restrictions mean you'll either have to pay for metered parking or request to go on the hotel's permit wait list when booking. There are a couple of car charging points nearby. See our car rental recommendations.

By Train
Get the train to Bristol Temple Meads, then take a 10-minute taxi ride to the hotel. You could also get a connecting train to Clifton Down, from which it's a short uphill walk to the B&B.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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