Bristol Hotels

Bristol, home to a range of great English figures from Brunel to Banksy, is a city certainly worth a visit. Voted as one of the world's top ten cities for 2009 by international travel publishers Dorling Kindersley in their Eyewitness series, it is certainly worth booking one of Best Western's beautiful hotels in Bristol and having a look around.

Bristol neighbourhoods

The historic city's heritage is concentrated in the Old Quarter, around College Green and the cathedral. From your Bristol hotel, pop down to Millenium Square and you'll be a stone throw away from the magical Old Harbour, the hub of the city's commercial success before the recent physical expansion and population increase forced the harbour to be relocated to the Severn Estuary. The Old Harbour is now a centre of art and culture, hosting frequent events and festivals. For a bit of peace and quiet, take a stroll around the magnificent Clifton Village or the neighbouring common, one of the nicest residential areas in the whole country. The famous Clifton Suspension Bridge, constructed by born-and-bred Bristolian Isambard Kingdom Brunel, provides breath-taking views of the Southwest's biggest city as well as the splendour of the Avon Gorge.

Shopping in Bristol

For contemporary high street fashion, the shopping centres of Broadmead and Cabot Circus rival the best in London, dotted with fashion fripperies, homeware must-haves and beguiling gadgets. Leave your Bristol hotel and check out the arty vibes of Park Street and Gloucester Road will appeal to those who take pleasure in purchases that are unique and different. On these streets second-hand sets the pace. Aspiring DJs and music fanatics will be in heaven strolling around the centre, the impressive concentration of record, instrument and vintage shops has attracted many a producer and artist to come and browse through the city's numerous and varied collections.

Eating and drinking in Bristol

Bristol is a city heavily influenced by foreign peoples and different cultures and this is plain to see in the varied restaurants and cuisines. Take a walk down to the charming harbour side from your Bristol hotel and you will be on the doorstep of the largest restaurant in the UK, Za Za Bazaar, a behemoth, buffet-style banquet serving an amazing selection of global cuisine and able to handle 1,000 covers at once. For some traditional Caribbean dishes, head to Rice & Ting on Cheltenham Road. Experience the atmospheric café vibe and one of the meal mixes (recommended by Jamie Oliver) while enjoying the sounds of some underground reggae and bashment. A huge plus of being situated in the South West is the city's proximity to the country's best cider and ale breweries. Bristol is full of traditional pubs and bars serving an excellent selection of beverages. For cider specialists, try The Apple by the harbourside, or if Ale is your choice, make your way to Zero Degrees in the city centre, a microbrewery that always has an interesting selection.

Culture and nightlife in Bristol

Bristol is quickly becoming one of the most exciting cities for nightlife and music in the UK. For a city of its size, Bristol has more than its fair share of popular new artists and its numerous festivals and carnivals (St Paul's and the Balloon festival being the most famous) attract people from all over the world. Stokes Croft and St Paul's are two of the liveliest areas in the city, both heavily influenced by foreign cultures and immigration. Jamaican influence is particularly palpable in both areas and the music and style of the numerous bars and clubs along these streets is testament to this. If it's theatre you're after, Best Western's hotels in Bristol are ideally situated near to the arty city centre. The Old Vic shows a range of classical theatre from Becket to Pinter, while the Tobacco Factory, whilst putting on sporadic art exhibitions and music nights, focuses heavily on perhaps this country's greatest playwright: William Shakespeare. Book a Best Western hotel in Bristol and enjoy one of the most diverse and interesting communities in the UK. It will remain with you for a long time, a fantastic UK city break.

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