Setting is the raison d'être of this Park Inn outpost, which is located directly across from a massive arena and within walking distance of city-center amenities. Being an upscale member of the Radisson family, it also boasts a solid lineup of on-site features, including a branded restaurant/bar, seven meeting rooms, and, most notably, a Pace Health Club with a gym, pool, and spa. Its 252 air-conditioned rooms -- all outfitted with modern conveniences like walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi -- are a good size, too. However, their look doesn't feel upscale: They don’t quite achieve the hip look designers were aiming for, and the overall vibe remains more corporate than cool. If proximity to the arena is important to you, consider the Crowne Plaza as an alternative -- it’s also a property with a familiar brand name that offers on-foot access.
Setting is the raison d'être of this Park Inn outpost, which is located directly across from a massive arena and within walking distance of city-center amenities. Being an upscale member of the Radisson family, it also boasts a solid lineup of on-site features, including a branded restaurant/bar, seven meeting rooms, and, most notably, a Pace Health Club with a gym, pool, and spa. Its 252 air-conditioned rooms -- all outfitted with modern conveniences like walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi -- are a good size, too. However, their look doesn't feel upscale: They don’t quite achieve the hip look designers were aiming for, and the overall vibe remains more corporate than cool. If proximity to the arena is important to you, consider the Crowne Plaza as an alternative -- it’s also a property with a familiar brand name that offers on-foot access.
The 45-room Arden Hotel is an upscale boutique located right across the street from the Royal Shakespeare Company theaters. Rooms are stylish and classic, with bright purple accents over a muted palette, and great amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, Nespresso machines, and Espa toiletries. Many have separate showers and soaking tubs, and a few have clawfoot bathtubs in the bedroom. The brasserie is a popular spot for pre-theater dinner and evening drinks, and the cozy Lounge draws couples and small groups of friends for afternoon tea. Freebies include breakfast, turndown service, and Wi-Fi throughout, but the biggest perk here is the free on-site parking, which is a rarity in town. For more Old World charm, it's worth considering The White Swan Hotel, housed in a mid-15th-century building with original historic features in some rooms.
The 45-room Arden Hotel is an upscale boutique located right across the street from the Royal Shakespeare Company theaters. Rooms are stylish and classic, with bright purple accents over a muted palette, and great amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, Nespresso machines, and Espa toiletries. Many have separate showers and soaking tubs, and a few have clawfoot bathtubs in the bedroom. The brasserie is a popular spot for pre-theater dinner and evening drinks, and the cozy Lounge draws couples and small groups of friends for afternoon tea. Freebies include breakfast, turndown service, and Wi-Fi throughout, but the biggest perk here is the free on-site parking, which is a rarity in town. For more Old World charm, it's worth considering The White Swan Hotel, housed in a mid-15th-century building with original historic features in some rooms.
Brooks Guesthouse is a mid-range boutique hotel with a fun retro vibe located right next to the lively St. Nicholas Market in the center of Bristol. The 23 guest rooms run small and are sparsely furnished, but are clean and comfortable overall, save for a few signs of wear and tear. The Rocket Rooms are actually vintage-style camper trailers parked on the hotel's roof, but come equipped with all the comforts. Wi-Fi is free while breakfast is charged extra -- but it's pretty cheap if booked via the hotel website. The garden courtyard offers a place for guests to relax outdoors with a drink from the honesty bar. On the downside, noise from nearby bars is an issue, and there's no parking. For a property with more features, including a mini gym, travelers could consider the Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre.
Brooks Guesthouse is a mid-range boutique hotel with a fun retro vibe located right next to the lively St. Nicholas Market in the center of Bristol. The 23 guest rooms run small and are sparsely furnished, but are clean and comfortable overall, save for a few signs of wear and tear. The Rocket Rooms are actually vintage-style camper trailers parked on the hotel's roof, but come equipped with all the comforts. Wi-Fi is free while breakfast is charged extra -- but it's pretty cheap if booked via the hotel website. The garden courtyard offers a place for guests to relax outdoors with a drink from the honesty bar. On the downside, noise from nearby bars is an issue, and there's no parking. For a property with more features, including a mini gym, travelers could consider the Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre.
The 119-room Ibis Styles London Croydon offers considerable perks paired with rates much lower than the average central London stay. The main drawback is that this two-pearl property is a 30-minute train ride to the city. Rooms are ultra-modern and bright with flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and freebies like Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and bottled water, but the small rooms have limited storage, and bathrooms are devoid of products. There's free breakfast in the lobby's eatery plus a bar that serves burgers and curries in the evening. Parking is available on-site for a nominal fee. Budget-conscious travelers may do better at Euro Hotel Clapham, as it's 10 minutes closer to London. Even better: It's within walking distance of the tube, which is cheaper and more convenient than the commuter train that's a five-minute drive from the Ibis Styles.
The 119-room Ibis Styles London Croydon offers considerable perks paired with rates much lower than the average central London stay. The main drawback is that this two-pearl property is a 30-minute train ride to the city. Rooms are ultra-modern and bright with flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and freebies like Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and bottled water, but the small rooms have limited storage, and bathrooms are devoid of products. There's free breakfast in the lobby's eatery plus a bar that serves burgers and curries in the evening. Parking is available on-site for a nominal fee. Budget-conscious travelers may do better at Euro Hotel Clapham, as it's 10 minutes closer to London. Even better: It's within walking distance of the tube, which is cheaper and more convenient than the commuter train that's a five-minute drive from the Ibis Styles.
