Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel

Wedged across a street corner, this handsome five-story 150-year-old hotel is a heritage building and Bristol landmark. Its facade has classic architectural elements, like arched windows, while the ground floor features French windows, and a portico made of ornate cast iron and glass. Inside, the lobby is traditionally decorated with masculine wood paneling, hardwood floors, and leather chesterfield sofas. Oil paintings and framed historical documents continue the clubby look. On the whole, the look is tasteful, if old-fashioned and out of step with current trends. The property's slow elevators seem to emphasize its age. The hotel caters to business travelers and tourists, especially couples.

The Grand Hotel Bristol is located in the city center in a business area of mostly offices and court buildings, but it has a historic feel. There are few shops and restaurants in the immediate area, but it's a short walk of about 10 minutes to the harbor, shops, restaurants, art galleries, and theater. Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station is 10 minutes away by public transportation, while Bristol Airport is a 44-minute drive from the hotel.

The Grand Hotel's 182 rooms offer and abundance of choice when it comes to room size, from Family Rooms to Singles built for solo travelers, but the latter can feel snug with little floorspace separating the beds from the wall-mounted TVs. Rooms were midway through a renovation during our visit, and the renovated rooms are decorated in an understated, modern style. A masculine color palette of grays, browns, and burgundy give the rooms a certain adult look. Narrow striped carpeting and red-velour chairs add an elegant touch, as do the framed black-and-white photographic prints. Bathrooms go for simplicity with black-tile floors and white walls. They have shower/tub combos (Suites include separate showers too). Sinks in some bathrooms can be tiny, with separate faucets for hot and cold water.

All guest rooms include air-conditioning, flat screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, and free Wi-Fi. Superior Rooms and Suites, add bathrobes, slippers, luxury toiletries, and bottled water. Rooms have neither minibars or mini-fridges.

Guest rooms yet to undergo renovation look tired and reveal several signs of wear and tear, like stained carpets, and dirty grout and broken showerheads in the bathrooms. Guests also complain about poor soundproofing.

The Grand Hotel Bristol offers a number of nice features -- but not all are on-site. A  breakfast buffet of hot and cold dishes is served in Tyrells (not included in standard rates), and it generally gets good reviews. Lunch and dinner are also served there, and room service is available. The underground cellar bar, Marlows, offers a wide range of drinks and light meals in the evenings.

Guests can use the swimming pool and fitness center at the Otium complex next door at no extra charge. The fitness center is small  but has a range of cardio and weight machines, as well as free weights. The hotel also has a sauna, steam room, and spa bath, along with massage treatments, all for additional fees. 

Six on-site meeting and special events rooms can seat a maximum of 600 people. Indoor parking is available for a fee, and the hotel also rents bikes. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.