Best places to stay in Bristol?

Old Nov 4th, 2014, 06:41 AM
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Best places to stay in Bristol?

I'm visiting Bristol early in the new year to get a feel for the University and need somewhere cheap to stay, as I'm going to be there a few nights! I'm going with my boyfriend though so I don't want to be stuck in a hostel! Any ideas?
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Old Nov 4th, 2014, 06:52 AM
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airbnb.com? cheap private room in someone's house.
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Old Nov 4th, 2014, 08:08 AM
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You will need to decide if you want the best or something cheap. Do you also know which university you are interested in? There are two, and it could make a difference to where you want to stay.

The University of Bristol is older-established and more fashionable. The departments are largely based in the centre of the city, although there is no real campus - I think the word they use is "precints". Some of the student accommodation is in Clifton, about a mile from the central departments, while other student accommodation is in a suburb about two miles away.

The University of the West of England is larger and was created about twenty years ago from a former Polytechnic plus a number of colleges. It is larger and less fashionable, although SamCam, the Prime Minister's wife, went there. The main campus is at Frenchay, about 5 miles from the city centre, and UWE has two other, smaller sites as well.

Some students at both universities live in university accommodation, while others live in privately-rented student accommodation, of which much has been built in the city centre in recent years. All of the main sites of both universities are connected by frequent buses.

For somewhere to stay for a few days, I would suggest one of the city centre hotels, especially chains like Premier Inn, Travelodge, Ibis and Holiday Inn Express, which each have more than property in the city centre. Most of these would be handy for checking out the nightlife, although the Ibis Temple Meads Quay and Travelodge Mitchell Lane would be less convenient.

Prices can vary widely according to date, but for 3 days in early December I have found prices on Late Rooms of about £190 for 3 nights. Weekends could be more expensive. The YHA hostel, which is very conveniently located by the harbour, costs about the same.

I looked at AirBnB, but the choice seems to be between fairly expensive places in the leafy suburbs, or more basic rooms in places locals might describe as "edgy".

I hope you enjoy your visit.
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Old Nov 4th, 2014, 08:51 AM
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chartley has given you great info/advice. What is your budget? Travelodge often has terrific deals w/ advance booking/pre-paynment. Often cheaper then renting a room even on airbnb or vrbo.

But they can be VERY date specific w/ one night being £35 and the next twice that or more depending on occupancy. So check out their site and plug in your dates to see what pops up.
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Old Nov 4th, 2014, 09:02 AM
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http://visitbristol.co.uk/accommodat...-and-campsites

Well some hostels these days have private rooms for couples and can be convivial places to stay - well the price 15-18 quid a night is neat - don't dismiss hostels IME.
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 07:03 AM
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Thanks guys! All really useful!
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 07:04 AM
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I have found this hotel- http://www.cliftonhotels.com/bristol...city-centre/m?

Anyone heard of them? They seem really near the University
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 08:54 AM
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I couldn't open that link, but honestly anywhere in Clifton should be fine if it's the University of Bristol you are interested in.

I can't help you with anything to do with UWE, but some of Bristol uni's accommodation is out at Stoke Bishop, about 3 miles north of Bristol across a large common. There are buses or you can walk which is what I used to do, many, many moons ago. I do think that it's a bit of a disadvantage being stuck out there and I only stayed there for my first year, preferring after that to stay in student lodgings in Clifton, which is much more convenient and fun.

What subject are you proposing to study?
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Old Dec 18th, 2014, 03:46 PM
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Here is the correct link http://www.cliftonhotels.com/bristol...l-city-centre/
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 08:01 AM
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thanks, jj. I don't know it but I'd have thought that it was an ok place to stay for a few days whilst exploring Bristol and whether the OP wants to study at the uni there. There is a very good bus service goes from Clifton down into the centre and onto Temple Meads station - I think it was the 8 and/or 9 - they go different way but end up in the same places which would enable the OP to see a bit more of the city than just Clifton and the bit round the university.
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 11:24 AM
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The University of Bristol halls of residence at Stoke Bishop are even larger now than they would have been in Annhig's time, and there is a direct bus link between the halls and the lecture theatres, etc. One rarely now sees the lines of students striding across the Downs and down Whiteladies Road, as was the case a few years ago. Lots of student accommodation has been built in the centre of the city in recent years. Look at www.unite-students.com/bristol for an idea of what is now available. A far cry from my own student days, when the toilet was in the back yard of a terrace house.

Regarding the Clifton Hotels group that you found, my son stayed at The Clifton Hotel itself a few weeks ago, and described it as "tired". Look at the reviews on Trip Advisor for other people's opinions. The hotel is close to Whiteladies Road, and there are frequent buses to the city centre from outside the BBC studios.

I went to a reception recently at the Rodney Hotel, which is part of the same group and is situated in what is known as Clifton Village, a fashionable area of Bristol with restaurants and small shops. I thought the hotel rather cramped, and it seemed that some of the guest bedrooms were in the basement. It might be an interesting place to stay if the price is right.

Bristol is a busy city, and although there are lots of hotels, they are sometimes all fully booked. You are unlikely to find an amazing bargain.
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Old Dec 19th, 2014, 12:13 PM
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A far cry from my own student days, when the toilet was in the back yard of a terrace house.>>

Chartley, you were lucky! I omitted to mention the term I spent living over a post-office in Hotwells after which I decamped to Clifton which was much more to my taste.

Thanks for bringing us up to date with the accommodation situation. We had our own community out at Stoke Bishop and made a lot of our own fun, [make of that what you will] but generally, it was a much better student experience living in the city itself.

A la recherche du temps perdu I stayed in Clifton a couple of years ago when I had to do a long case in Bristol - I stayed at the Avon Gorge which was great, but probably out of the OP's league. There's a nice bar underneath which has a terrace overlooking the gorge which she might like on a nice out though. or for those with a taste for cider, there's always the [Clifton] Tap!
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Old Jan 16th, 2015, 05:34 AM
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Thanks guys this is really helpful!
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Old Jan 21st, 2015, 05:17 AM
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I'm gona go for this hotel- its the same company as the last one but a little bit cheaper. The people sounded really friendly on the phone, so hopefully it will be a good stay without breaking my purse!

http://www.cliftonhotels.com/bristol-hotels/washington/
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Old Jan 21st, 2015, 07:38 AM
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Let us know what the hotel is like.
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