Boutique hotels in Bristol | chic hotels with underground spas and rooftop terraces

Decorated with striking Cole & Son wallpaper and wood panelling, the cosy, chic bedrooms at Brook Guesthouse Bristol are remarkable in their own right. But for something a little more adventurous, make yourself at home on the roof. There you’ll find a collection of vintage-style Airstream caravans for an extraordinary urban glamping experience. Inside these sleek, aluminium camping trailers you’re presented with the luxuries of a hotel room, like a double bed with sumptuous goose-down duvet and small but well-equipped bathrooms with eco-showers. The view over the city from your lofty vantage point is quite something.

Before heading into the city for dinner, help yourself to an aperitif from the honesty bar in the hotel’s lounge and sit back on the plush leather sofas. The guesthouse is in the heart of Bristol’s medieval centre, next to bustling St Nicholas Market and only a short walk from the cosmopolitan Harbourside, which is lined with exciting bars and restaurants. Head to Chomp, just around the corner, for award-winning burgers (the secret is parmesan mayo) and juicy steaks. In the morning, watch your breakfast being cooked to order in the hotel’s open kitchen. Using local produce and free-range eggs, the menu includes favourites such as eggs Benedict and a full English as well as croissants and muffins warm from the oven.

The grand Avon Gorge Hotel offers you a truly exceptional view of Bristol: a sweeping panorama of the historic Clifton suspension bridge straddling the river Avon. Take a seat at the expansive, heated rooftop terrace and admire this feat of engineering surround ed by natural beauty. Sit under a parasol sipping a G&T and try light bites such as a gourmet burger or hot dog from the hotel’s White Lion bar menu.

The newly renovated rooms in this grand Regency-era building are full of personality, with deep, rich colours and mid-century modern furniture alongside antique artworks and original fireplaces. Large sash windows offer wonderful views of either the bridge or the neighbouring townhouses – upgrade to a superior room and you may get a private balcony.

Set in the peaceful, exclusive neighbourhood of Clifton, the hotel is ideally placed for exploring the graceful Georgian streets, filled with eclectic boutiques selling handmade pottery and jewellery and charming artisan coffee shops. Head to the fashionable Ivy Clifton Brasserie for all-day dining with British classics such as the famous shepherd’s pie. Or take a 20 minute stroll to see Bristol’s most important piece of maritime heritage, the SS Great Britain, which changed the world with its size and power.

This chic hotel and luxurious suites are found in an elegant grade-II listed townhouse that combines Georgian beauty with contemporary comforts. The Berkeley Square Hotel’s bedrooms are individually decorated – original artwork adorns the walls – and boast beds with sumptuous mattresses to ensure a great night’s sleep. Generous touches add to the welcome, like a complimentary decanter of Bristol cream sherry.

For even more lavish city living, choose one of the hotel’s glamorous suites. The spacious open-plan living area features a state-of-the-art cinema system and wall-mounted speakers – when you’re not watching a movie it can display a specially curated video painting. The bespoke kitchenette has thoughtful appliances, including a Delonghi espresso coffee machine with milk frother, as well as a dining area for two.

While staying at the hotel you’ll also be granted membership to the exclusive Square Members’ Club and access to the award-winning Square Kitchen for meals. Dine on innovative dishes created using West Country produce, such as the confit chicken ballotine with grilled octopus and chorizo. Afterwards, wander into the decadent and arty Lower Deck Cocktail Bar for a negroni or sit out on the magical outdoor terrace, decorated with leafy plants and twinkling lights.

For a peaceful retreat in a country house between the historic cities of Bristol and Bath, check in to Roseneath House. Set in the countryside, among the hotel’s spacious gardens, it’s an ideal spot for a tranquil weekend. The 19th-century villa – made of honey-coloured local Bath stone – is decorated with a pretty verandah of wrought iron and glass. Outside you’ll also find a luxurious hot tub where you can soak as water jets gently massage your cares away.

Settle into one of the hotel’s six bedrooms, which are decorated simply and elegantly with a neutral palette to create a restful ambience. Super king-sized beds provide a generous sleeping space, while premium mattresses help you to get a peaceful night’s sleep. Most rooms offer views over the countryside and gardens from large first-floor windows. Carefully chosen furnishings complement the historic setting with full-length, antique-style mirrors, rustic lamps and wooden beds.

In the morning, head downstairs to the hotel’s chic dining room with its parquet flooring and brass chandeliers. Start the day with a full English breakfast of sizzling sausages and all the trimmings, or a lighter meal with your choice of cereals, muesli, granola or fruit. Local excursions offer a range of experiences from glamorous sports events to historic attractions: try a day out at Bath racecourse, discover the age of steam at the Avon Valley Railway or practise your swing at one of several nearby golf courses.

Indulge yourself in grandiose style at this opulent 19th-century manor house. Each of the lavish bedrooms at Berwick Lodge has been individually styled, combining sophisticated country house chic with rich, exotic details from the owner’s Anatolian heritage. Book a statement deluxe suite and sleep in a magnificent bed crafted from a former church pulpit, before you snuggle up, sink into the claw-foot tub in its Turkish tiled bathroom. For a romantic stay, order flowers and champagne in your room on arrival, or request a soothing in-room massage if you’ve travelled a long way.

There are more treats on offer at the hotel’s restaurant – awarded 2 AA rosettes for its menu of sophisticated modern British cooking. Served in the grand dining room under sparkling chandeliers, dishes such as smoked salmon and Cornish crab with apple, fennel and capers or veal loin with scallops tortellini take centre stage. During the day you can also take afternoon tea in the wood-panelled drawing room in front of an open fire: expect inventive desserts such as a chocolate and yuzu macaron alongside the sandwiches and scones. Afterwards, take a stroll in the lush gardens that feature ancient trees, manicured lawns and a spectacular fountain.

Escape from busy city life at this rural retreat. Set amid the rolling Somerset countryside, SummerHouse offers breathtaking views across the idyllic Chew Valley to the rolling Mendip Hills. The rustic former farmhouse has been carefully restored as a bed and breakfast, and is filled with original details such as the authentic wooden ceiling beams and open fireplaces. Use of the spa is included, but you’ll need to book your pampering time: take a dip in the pool, unwind in the Jacuzzi as water jets massage you or revitalise your skin in the steam room.

Settle into your charming room with its beamed ceiling, antique furnishings and soft, neutral tones that reflect the hotel’s air of tranquillity. Some of the bathrooms are equipped with luxuries such as rainfall showers or freestanding baths. Windows look out on the undulating green landscape outside, adding to the overall feel of peace and relaxation.

In the morning, breakfast is served in the bright and airy conservatory with panoramic views of Chew Valley’s farmland and the Victorian brick aqueduct, which still carries water today. The menu offers choices such as toast made with fresh organic bread, fruit and cereals or a cooked Somerset breakfast with local bacon and sausages and the hotel’s own free-range eggs.

Two imposing former bank buildings, one of them inspired by St Mark’s Library in Venice, have been given a new lease of life as the luxurious Bristol Harbour Hotel. Behind the grand entrance are breathtaking interiors such as the former banking hall with its stone colonnade and decorative ceiling, now a magnificent events space.

The grandeur continues in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, the Jetty. Take a seat in an oversized wing-back chair and order dishes such as cod fillet topped with crab and a herb crust, or juicy steaks grilled on a Spanish-style plancha. For a nightcap, pop by the Gold Bar, which blends carved stone walls and bright, contemporary furnishings as well as it mixes eclectic cocktails, such as its champagne- and gin-based Bankers Bonus.

Retire to your plush bedroom, decorated with rich colours and bold prints. Sink into a sumptuous bed covered in crisp Egyptian cotton sheets or sit with a tipple from the complimentary decanters of gin and sherry. The contemporary tiled bathrooms feature walk-in rainfall showers and deluxe White Company toiletries – upgrade to a suite and you can soak in a freestanding stone bath. For even deeper relaxation, head down to the ancient bank vaults under the hotel, now transformed into a serene spa. Swim in the atmospherically lit pool or try a treatment with luxurious ESPA products.