WILTSHIRE & SOMERSET - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 353

Bristol's club scene is constantly evolving, but current major clubs include
Panache, All Saints Street ( & 0845/241-7185; www.panachebars.com), which
hosts the biggest student nights in the city (Phat Nights on Fri, cover £5; and
Paparazzi on Sat £6); and The Syndicate, 15 Nelson St. ( & 0117/945-0325;
bristol.thesyndicate.com; cover £2-£5), the biggest arena-like “superclub” in town.
Oceana, South Building, Canons Road ( & 0845/293-2860; www.oceanaclubs.
com/bristol; cover £5.50-£8), rounds out the top three with a little more glamor,
housing five glitzy themed bars and two club floors (one for R&B, the other for 1980s'
music). Clubs tend to open Thursday to Saturday from 9pm to 3am. Check Bristol-
nightlife.com for the latest.
Where to Stay
EXPENSIVE
Bristol Hotel Luxury in a top location right on the harbor sets this place
apart. Although rooms are small, they are beautifully decked out with sleek, modern
lines, soothing colors, and stylish, contemporary furniture. The views over the city are
a bonus, and the power showers, iPod docks, and Nespresso coffee machines are
thoughtful extras.
Prince St., Bristol BS1 4QF. www.doylecollection.com. & 0117/923-0333. Fax [phone] units.
£99-£120 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Free parking 5:30pm-9:30am. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; con-
cierge; gym; 24-hr. room service, Wi-Fi (free). In room: A/C, TV, Internet (free).
Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre In the heart of town, at the edge of Castle
Park, this modern 11-story hotel is one of Bristol's tallest buildings, and far superior
to other chains in amenities, style, and comfort. Many improvements have been
undertaken, and the hotel now attracts business travelers as well as foreign tourists.
The comfortable guest rooms are conservatively modern.
2 Lower Castle St., Bristol BS1 3AD. www.marriott.co.uk. & 0117/929-4281. Fax [phone]
units. £122-£135 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking £13. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; babysitting; con-
cierge; exercise room; indoor heated pool; room service; spa. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi
(£6 per hr; £15 per day).
Hotel du Vin This stylish boutique hotel is one of Bristol's best examples of
recycling. Six 18th-century sugar-refining warehouses, lying in the vicinity of the
docklands, were taken over and sensitively restored. Today, you'll find a series of “loft-
style” bedrooms with the original industrial features of the warehouses retained for
dramatic effect. Even if you're not a guest, you may want to stop for a drink in the
Sugar House Bar or a first-class meal in the contemporary French restaurant.
Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol BS1 2NU. www.hotelduvin.com. & 0117/925-5577. Fax [phone].
40 units. £120-£165 double; £190-£245 suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking £13. Amenities: Restaurant; 2 bars;
room service. In room: A/C, TV, DVD, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (free).
Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel In a prime position on the water, this mod-
ern hotel opens onto panoramic riverside frontage in the heart of the city. The bed-
rooms are spacious and stylish, with muted colors and contemporary design; most
rooms have ceiling-to-floor windows with views of the river or the city. Breakfast is an
additional £17. Ellipse, the on-site restaurant, serves fresh and well-prepared food
in light and airy surroundings, with views of the river.
5-7 Welsh Back, Bristol BS1 4SF. www.mercure.com. & 0117/929-1030. Fax [phone] units.
£131-£155 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Parking £13. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; use of nearby gym; room
service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Internet (£11 per day).

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