Berkeley Suites

Rooms

The elegant red-brick Georgian townhouse is in a small terraced crescent just off Berkeley Square. There's a semi-circular enclosed private garden to the front.

Each Suite occupies a whole floor. Your living room has an upholstered sofa and chairs, small table, and a cinema projector (which some guests mention finding hard to operate, but we had no trouble). There's a nifty kitchenette inside a bespoke cupboard. The bedroom is separate; expect a Vi-spring mattress on the bed (we slept soundly) and a Roberts radio bedside. The Attic Suite is the smallest, due to the sloping eaves - though of course it has the most elevated views. The middle 3 have wonderful high ceilings and glass-walled bathrooms within the bedroom - these are our favourites. The Basement Suite is the largest, with a separate bathroom, but in winter it can feel rather dark, with a slight smell of damp (though it was well heated when we popped in).

In all are a welcome decanter of Bristol cream sherry, basket of nibbles, useful directories, Elemis toiletries, a drench shower over the bath, bathrobes and slippers. Boutique bliss.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Radio
• Safe box
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

To compensate for the lack of restaurant at Berkeley Suites itself, each Suite has a nifty bespoke kitchenette-in-a-cupboard, housing a hob, fridge and mini dishwasher, along with a decent quota of crockery, pots, pans and utensils. There are grocery shops all around, or you can order room-service meals.

However, we found it preferable to head around to the The Square restaurant at the main hotel for meals (you get a 10% discount for booking through i-escape). For breakfast there's a good buffet of yoghurt, cereals, croissants, dried fruit, compotes, fruit juice. Order additionally from the a la carte menu; we loved our poached eggs and smashed avocado on muffin, washed down with replenished coffee.

For other meals, the modern bistro menu is crafted from West Country ingredients: perhaps pan-fried brill with leeks, mushroom and chorizo, then apple and tonka bean tart. You may need to book ahead for weekend evenings.

In the warmer months, the rear garden does duty as an additional dining / social space, atmospheric at night with strung lights.

Features include:

• Bar
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Hob or stove
• Kitchenette
• Microwave
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Toaster

Activities

• Explore the Clifton Triangle on your doorstep: a lively intersection of streets featuring independent shops, high-street staples and fun eateries. Take in handsome College Green, the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol Cathedral, and Brandon Hill Park
  
• Stroll down to the Harbourside for Brunel's masterpiece, the impressive SS Great Britain liner, as well as waterside dining options, art venues, markets and museums. The curiously named We The Curious is an excellent science museum, the M Shed covers Bristol's history, while the Arnolfini has modern art spaces and a great little cafe. Boat trips are available, too
  
• Check out Brunel's other masterpiece, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, best seen from the Clifton Observatory (20 mins walk)
  
• Enjoy a swim and spa treatment at the Victorian-era Clifton Lido, followed by an upmarket lunch poolside (book in advance)
  
• Take a day trip to Bath by train (Bath Thermae tickets are available at Reception)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Golf
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets
• Theatre
• Walking tours

Kids

Children are welcome but the Suites are best suited to adults as there is nothing specifically for families on-site. That said, there are plenty of shops, restaurants, parks and activities nearby, and kids will enjoy the novelty of the in-Suite projection cinema (you can plug in your own device to watch your preferred choice of media). Note that the Suites can only take 1 baby or 1 child apiece.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

All Suites can fit 1 baby cot (free of charge) or 1 rollaway bed (additional cost). We would suggest the ground or lower-ground floor Suites are best for families as there are a lot of steps to higher floors

Distances:

• Airport: 25 minutes' drive (Bristol)
• Hospital: 5 minutes' drive (Bristol Royal Infirmary/Children's)
• Shops: a 2-minute walk

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Berkeley Suites (and its sister Berkeley Square Hotel) are set on a Georgian square near Clifton Triangle in Bristol, England.

By Air
Fly into Bristol Airport (12km / 30 minutes away) and either take a taxi, prebook a transfer with the hotel, or catch the bus.

By Car:
Easily accessible from the M4 and M5, with a private secure car park across Berkeley Square. If renting a car, see our car hire tips.

By Train:
Get the train to Bristol Temple Meads, then take a 10-minute taxi up to Berkeley Suites.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.