Two Bristol hotels have been among the very first to be awarded with Michelin Keys. A brand new international benchmark awarded by the Michelin Guide inspection team, it is based on anonymous stays or visits.
According to the Michelin Guide, Michelin Keys “aim to guide travellers to accommodations that stand out for their unique hospitality concept, distinctive character, warm welcome and extremely high level of service”.
Some 123 hotels were awarded the brand new Michelin Keys in Great Britain & Ireland, after presenting the coveted titles to selections in France, Spain, Italy, Japan, the US, Canada, Mexico and Thailand. The Key hotels in the country bring together a “wide range of concepts and accommodation types – from boutique design hotels to iconic luxury properties, secluded cottages or lodges to splendid heritage castles or manor houses”, the Guide says.
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Just like the famous Michelin Stars, which indicate the best culinary experiences, Michelin Keys reveal accommodation in the Guide’s hotel selection that offer the most outstanding stays.
Bristol hotels awarded Michelin Keys
According to the list, three accommodations in the Bristol area have been awarded ‘One Michelin Key’. According to the Guide, One Michelin Key hotels are: “a true gem with its own character and personality. It may break the mould, offer something different or simply be one of the best of its type. Service always goes the extra mile and provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments.”
These are:
Artist Residence, Bristol
Situated on Portland Square, Artist Residence Bristol is a four-star hotel situated in a Georgian townhouse and old boot factory. It describes itself as being “an eccentric home from home in the heart of the city”, with quirky decor and – you guessed it – plenty of artwork on walls.
There are Artist Residence venues in London, Brighton, Bristol, Cornwall and Oxfordshire, and all have been awarded the One Key. When it comes to the Bristol venue, however, The Michelin Guide says: “Each one of the Artist Residence hotels is unique by design; this one, occupying a Georgian townhouse (and a former boot factory) on Portland Square, is a tribute to Bristol’s unique artistic heritage, and features works by local artists as well as products by all manner of local purveyors.
“The style is an eclectic and fresh one, thanks to its diversity of influences; the comforts are substantial but sensible, and the vibe is pleasantly residential. The Boot Factory bar and kitchen serves three meals a day as well as cocktails and local beers.”
Number 38 Clifton, Bristol
Located in Clifton, Number Thirty Eight is another four-star hotel which consists of “twelve stylish bedrooms in a recently refurbished Georgian merchant’s house at the top of the city. It boasts panoramic city views from the rear of the building and the vast expanse of Clifton Downs to the front, and describes itself as “an alternative to the corporate environment of many city hotels, providing a contemporary ‘home away from home'” and being “ideally placed for a short stop-over or weekend city break”.
The Michelin Guide says: “Built in 1820, this substantial townhouse overlooks both the city and the Clifton Downs. Boutique bedrooms have coloured wood-panelled walls, Roberts radios and smart bathrooms with underfloor heating; the most luxurious are the loft suites, complete with copper baths. The rear terrace makes a great suntrap.”
Thornbury Castle
This five-star hotel in the heart of Thornbury is situated in a 16th Century castle with an abundance of rich history. It boasts rooms (or bed chambers) that are decorated to transport you back in time, expansive gardens, treatment rooms, and can even host weddings and other events.
The Michelin Guide says: “There are castles, and then there are castles — Thornbury, mere minutes from Bristol, is not merely a Tudor-style castle, but happens to have been visited by Heny VIII and Anne Boleyn themselves. Today, even as it’s opened its doors to the paying public, it retains as much 16th-century gravitas as any place in England.
“And though its atmosphere remains decidedly historical, its comforts and conveniences are subtly up to date. Dinner is a memorably grand experience, as is the hotel’s lavish afternoon tea.”
Michelin Key accommodation in Bath
Michelin Key accommodation in Bath include:
- The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa (Two Keys)
- Bath Priory (One Key)
- Homewood (One Key)
- The Gainsborough Bath Spa (One Key)
- The Queensberry Hotel (One Key)
- The Yard (One Key)