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Bristol, located in southwest England is recognized as a city of independent and creative people who love their city. In fact, it is voted one of the UK’s best places to live, year after year. It’s a city of contrasts in many ways, from posh neighborhoods like Clifton Village to the arty and gritty Stokes Croft. I’d say Bristol has a lot of personality—and offers something for every type of visitor.
Bristol is a very walkable city, though it is spread out. You’ll want to be centrally located if you’re visiting for a short break. For the traveler seeking a modern, essential, and comfortable hotel within close proximity to the Bristol Temple Meads train station and the city center, the Leonardo Hotel is a good option.
The Leonardo Hotel Bristol, which opened in 2021, is part of the Leonardo UK hotel group. It seems they may still be working out a few kinks with service, but overall it’s a pleasant place to rest your head. Temple Mead station has connections to London, Glasgow, and Cardiff, and it’s only a ten-minute walk from the hotel. It’s also very easy to get an Uber at this location. I never waited more than five minutes.
What’s nearby?
The Bristol Harbor is located within a fifteen-minute walk. This is a bustling spot with museums, cafes, and a number of monuments of historical interest, such as the S.S. Great Britain, formerly a passenger steamship noted for being the first passenger steamship to cross the Atlantic from Bristol to New York City. You can also take a pocket boat tour of the harbor for a quick overview of the area.
The harbor is also a great place to eat. Don’t miss the Cargo development of restaurants and independently owned shops. There are four Michelin guide-rated restaurants at the Cargo development, so named as it was built from shipping containers. Or, buy some fresh bread and a local cheese at the Bristol Cheesemonger and sit outside to enjoy the views of the harbor.
A sustainable choice
If sustainability is important to you, Leonardo Hotel Bristol is BREEAM certified. The BREEAM certification is a worldwide certification for assessing sustainable building methods. This includes environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
Rooms
The Leonardo Hotel has 177 rooms and offers two room types: a double queen and a king. The furnishings are neutral-toned and modern, very minimalistic. The DREAM beds, made for the hotel group, are very comfortable. However, I found the pillows too firm and would recommend that you clarify in advance what kind of pillows you would like.
There’s a built-in desk without drawers however there is enough hanging space and you can place a carry-on size bag on the shelf under your hanging clothes. All rooms come with a safe, wifi, mini fridge, coffee maker, and tea kettle.
The bathrooms are modern with a large walk-in shower (with great pressure), but no bathtub. There’s just enough countertop space to spread out your toiletries.
Note that the room does not really have a blackout curtain. It’s a design issue. If you need to sleep and are sensitive to light, be sure to bring a sleeping mask.
Dining options at the Leonardo Hotel
I ate in the bar a couple of times and the food was reasonably priced and good. There is a casual menu with salads and sandwiches. I had a mixed green salad and sandwich with goat cheese and veggies. Breakfast is buffet-style and offers standard English fare. There’s plenty of seating in the restaurant—however, if it’s full, you can spread out to the common area. This is a nice bright and open area, overlooking a garden and walking path.
Other amenities
Bonus for those who like to stay fit on the road, the Leonardo Hotel has a state-of-the-art gym featuring Technogym equipment with programmed guided sessions.
There is 24-hour reception, which is nice for late-night arrivals, snacks and drinks are available for purchase. If you need to work there’s a large, bright, common area with plenty of tables and a conference room that will accommodate up to twenty-five people.
Off-site parking is 14 pounds per day.
Overall, the Leonardo Bristol is a good location for the traveler who wants a convenient location, is budget conscious, and doesn’t require five-star attention. Rates start at approximately $100 per night.
You can check rates and make your reservation directly at the hotel website, or look for better deals at Booking.com, Expedia, or your favorite online booking site.
Photos of Leonardo Hotel courtesy of Visit Bristol. Bristol Harbour courtesy of Penny Sadler. My stay at Hotel Leonardo Bristol was sponsored.
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