Berkeley Square Hotel

From the outside, the hotel appears like an old-style traditional hotel but it is a considerably more modern affair once you get inside, although the colour scheme in the public areas may not be to everyone’s taste.

The 43 hotel rooms are compact and functional and include comfortable beds, a work desk, a small sofa, a television with DVD player, a fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, a trouser press and en suite bathrooms. There are a few little extras such as complimentary Bristol Cream sherry in the rooms and there are lovely views of Berkeley Square from some of the rooms.

This hotel’s main appeal lies in its public areas and although the lounge, with its quirky decor, can seem a little pretentious, it is also a nice spot to relax with a drink or two and there is also a small garden area that guests have access to.

The main appeal for many guests is the private members’ club in the hotel basement that hotel guests have access to (although it is not open every night). Unlike your typical members’ club, The Square Club is more a place for rowdy young media types than octogenarians reading the Telegraph. While it may not be exactly what you’d imagine, it is nice having access to a venue that would normally be restricted to members only.

The presence of the club does mean that, unfortunately, rooms on the lower levels can suffer from external noise making sleeping difficult for some guests. If you’re staying on a Friday or Saturday night, then a room on one of the upper floors with a view of the square is your best option.

The hotel also has a restaurant, The Square Kitchen, which serves modern British cuisine prepared with seasonal West Country produce.

The hotel faces one of Bristol’s finest Georgian squares in a leafy area around midway between Brandon Hill (where you can find Cabot Tower) and the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. Its close proximity to the Bristol Triangle and the University of Bristol means that there are plenty of places to eat and drink nearby including a bunch of affordable dining options along Park Street.

In addition to the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery and Cabot Tower, which are only a couple of minutes walk away, there are several other points of interest within easy walking distance including Bristol Cathedral, the Georgian House Museum, the Red Lodge Museum and the RWA, which are all within a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Depending on when you stay, the Berkeley Square Hotel can sometimes represent good value for money considering the standard of accommodation. However, it’s not for everyone.