Small but cool, the two apartments - a one-bedroom and a studio - occupy the second and third floors of the same townhouse. Run by the team behind the Artist Residence Bristol, they ooze the brand’s arty style. Jazzy colours are offset by fun patterns, vintage furniture and tongue-in-cheek artwork. Both pads come with small kitchens so you can self-cater, picking up ingredients in the village like a true local. I loved hanging out in the funky living room of our apartment, my workstation at the table, and then nipping out for regular coffee and cake breaks. It’s that sort of place: somewhere for couples or solos to enjoy trendy urban-village living - like being in a feel-good Richard Curtis movie.
Highs
- This is one of the best addresses in Bristol, right beside the famous Suspension Bridge and the lovely cafes, boutiques and restaurants of well-heeled Clifton Village
- Reasonably priced for such a fab urban location
- The arty design of the apartments is fun and quirky, with eclectic colours, patterns and canvases
- Set in a lovely old townhouse with original fireplaces and sash windows; you'll feel like a proper Bristolian here
Lows
- Parking on the streets here is pricey and competitive, though permits can be provided on request for a fee. Better to come by public transport if you can
- The apartments are up a few flights of stairs and there's no lift, so don't overpack
- It's a self-check-in system, and you're left to your own devices
- The studio is fairly compact, and both kitchens are small for doing proper cooking - discover Bristol's great foodie scene instead
Best time to go
Our top tips
- City Apartments
- 2 apartments for 1-2
- Self-catering (restaurants nearby)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
The apartments occupy the upper floors of a townhouse at the end of Clifton Village’s main street. It’s largely residential at this end, and just a few steps around the corner is the road up to the Suspension Bridge.
One-bedroom Apartment
The second floor houses the larger of the two pads. Enter into a hallway, then turn right for the main living space. Orange walls with soft pink and green furnishings (sounds clashy but it works) give it a fun and eclectic look. It’s an open-plan layout with the living room on one side, a little kitchen on the other, and a small dining table between two sash windows, which overlook the street. A pastel-pink corner sofa piled with knitted cushions dominates the space. The bedroom features an enormous super-kingsize that we found supremely comfortable, and the bathroom has a copper roll-top bath (plus separate shower) with Bramley toiletries. Ethnic patterns are hand-painted on the furniture, and artwork is playful - canvases of padron peppers, a space hopper at sea, and a Tetris floppy disk keep things cheery.
Studio Apartment
The smaller apartment is on the floor above, and the decor is equally vibrant. Moody colours dominate - think dark blue walls, deep red velvet armchairs, a black dresser with painted golden butterflies. It’s called a studio apartment but there are three separate spaces, so there’s enough room for a couple. As you enter, the bathroom is straight ahead, with a mauve-coloured bath and separate shower, plus a matching tiled floor. The kitchen - more of a kitchenette than a fully equipped space - is to the left, and the bedroom/living room is to the right.
Features include:
- Central heating
- Hairdryer
- Radio
- Toiletries
- Tumble dryer
- TV
- Washing machine
- WiFi
Eating
Both apartments have small but surprisingly well-stocked kitchens. You’ve got all the essentials - pots, pans, crockery, coffee machine, toaster and combination microwave-oven. The workspaces aren’t big but are perfectly functional for knocking up breakfasts and light meals. Coffee, tea, sugar and oil are provided (plus free prosecco as your i-escape gift), but for other supplies, you can easily nip into the village. There’s a Co-op 200 metres away, and a very well stocked greengrocers on the pedestrianised street.
But with so many foodie highlights in Bristol, we’d highly recommend getting out to eat. My favourite spot for a yummy brunch is Primrose Cafe, set below the arch leading to Clifton Village. On a sunny day, you can sit outside and soak up the hubbub of neighbourhood life. Veggies should head opposite to East Village Cafe, which doubles up as a homeware shop. Some of the best dinner options include Nutmeg, which serves punchy Indian fare, and Milk Bun, which specialises in juicy burgers. There’s also a good fish and chip takeaway, plus plenty of cosy pubs. For cocktails on a sunny day, pop around the corner to the White Lion pub, which has a big terrace with stunning views of the Suspension Bridge and gorge below.
Features include:
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
Activities
- Spend a morning in Clifton Village, cafe-hopping and browsing the boutique shops and Victorian arcade
- Then head up to the Observatory for a view of the bridge, and continue onwards to the leafy Downs, where there are approximately 400 acres to stroll
- Walk across the bridge to Leigh Woods or Ashton Court, both with lots of pretty walking trails
- Book a swim-and-spa in Clifton’s refurbished Victorian Lido, which also has a good Mediterranean restaurant
- Stroll down to the harbour and go for a wander or boat ride along the river. There are lots of cafes and restaurants lining the water, plus Brunel's SS Great Britain and the M Shed to explore
- Bristol has a decent selection of galleries, including the Bristol Museum and Gallery in Clifton, and the Arnolfini by the harbour
- On a rainy day, head to one of the city’s independent cinemas, which include the Watershed (good for art-house films) and (my personal favourite) the Everyman, where you can lounge on sofas and have food brought to you
- Culture vultures should head to Bristol Old Vic, Colston Hall, the Tobacco Factory, St Georges, and the Hippodrome for theatre, dance, comedy and live music
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Boat trips
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
- Theatre
Kids
These are small apartments, each with one bedroom, so kids can only stay if sharing their parents' bed. Both apartments can fit a baby cot (must be requested in advance), but no extra beds can be added.
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available
Families Should Know:
The stairs are quite tight and steep, with limited space for buggies.
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Clifton Village Hideaways are in Clifton, north of Bristol city centre in south-west England. They're close to the famous Suspension Bridge and Clifton's shops and restaurants.
By Air:
Fly into Bristol Airport (13km), which has numerous services from other cities across the UK and Europe. It's a 25-minute taxi ride to the apartments. Alternatively, you can take the Bristol Flyer bus service, which runs every 10 minutes from the airport to Bristol city centre.
By Car:
The apartments are easily accessible from the M4 and the M5. Parking is on the streets but a permit can be provided if you request in advance (extra cost). If you're driving through central Bristol, note that it has a Clean Air Zone, so you may need to pay a fee (the apartments are outside of the zone). See our car rental recommendations.
By Train:
Get the train to Bristol Temple Meads, then take a 10-minute taxi ride to the hotel. You could also get a connecting train to Clifton Down, from which it's a 25-minute walk to the apartments, or a bus to Clifton Village.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Bristol Airport 13.0 km BRS
- Heathrow 170.0 km LHR
Other:
- Beach 15.0 km
- Shops 0.3 km
- Restaurant 0.3 km