Travel / Bristol
‘An eclectic blend of old-world charm and modernity’
Already well within the luxurious bracket of places to stay in Bristol, Hotel Du Vin has had a glow-up thanks to a £1.1m investment from its owners.
I can’t say that I was a regular before the refurbishment (or “revitalisation initiative”) in order to compare and contrast but I can now say confidently that this is the place for you if you want extravagance without leaving our home city.
Modern melds seamlessly within the special character of this beautiful 18th-century building, with the new design said to “embody the brand’s signature style – an eclectic blend of old-world charm and modernity”.
is needed now More than ever
Some rooms at the Hotel Du Vin Bristol City Centre feature a mezzanine level bathroom with two bath tubs – photo: Hotel Du Vin
We’re still very much in the city centre though. While other Hotel Du Vins have expansive views over rolling countryside, when I first drew back the curtains in our room here it was to overlook a group of people smoking on Johnny Ball Lane. Another window, however, did provide a glimpse of the historic St John on the Wall church.
A visit to Hotel Du Vin is not about what’s happening outside though but is all about what’s happening inside this historic former sugar house on the cobbles of Narrow Lewins Mead. The building which once stored and processed imported sugar from the Caribbean now feels within its own secluded bubble in the city centre.
Our room with the view of Johnny Ball Lane from one side and across to the walled city from the other side was joined via an internal door to a second room in order to allow me, my wife and our two daughters to fit comfortably into a living area about the same size as our flat only half a mile or so away.
Nespresso coffee machines come as a feature of some rooms – photo: Hotel Du Vin
While my ten-year-old asked me to film her in slow-motion jumping on the super king size bed within the room with its original brick walls and beams, her big sister was excitedly exploring the ensuite bathroom with walk-in monsoon shower and free standing roll top bath.
We also had our own Nespresso machine but I would implore any guests staying here from outside of Bristol to walk through the medieval gateway of St John on the Wall to find yourself on Broad Street which has speciality coffee shop Full Court Press.
More coffee was provided as part of a delicious breakfast but the liquid of choice here is of course wine, with each room named after a vineyard, old bottles scattered around the hotel for decoration and even an astonishing collection of corkscrews on display in the courtyard.
It seems rude not to enjoy a glass of wine at Hotel Du Vin – photo: Hotel Du Vin
The Bistro Du Vin wine list starts at £6.95 for a glass and rises to £149.95 for a bottle of a fine Bordeaux, but there are also plenty of offers available pairing wines with the food, including chateaubriand with a bottle of Argentinian Malbec, or even the promise of three courses served within 30 minutes if you’re in a rush.
Thankfully, we were not in a rush and could luxuriate in our luscious surroundings, exploring the corridors with their toffee-coloured carpets meant to be “a subtle yet quirky sugar cane-influenced journey” to the bedrooms; before walking into the walk-in shower one way and walking out the other, and trying on the dressing gown for size.
Hotel Du Vin Bristol City Centre is luxury without a hint of pretentiousness. This is a serious glow-up and one which has brought this magnificent building wonderfully back to life.
Martin Booth and his family were guests of Hotel Du Vin Bristol City Centre, where rooms start at £100 for a one-night stay. For more information, visit www.hotelduvin.com/locations/bristol-city-centre
Main photo: Hotel Du Vin
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