HOTEL COUTURE
We all know the holy grail of blending antiques with mod-cons at home, but hoteliers are ge ing savvy to this too. Sophie
Hannam books a stay at ve eclectic places whose interiors are on point
Having already created a small dynasty of cosy boutique hotels (Brighton, London, Oxfordshire and Penzance) the latest location on the Artist Residence hit list is Bristol, with a brand new artisan escape due to open later on this year. The walls in every AR property are a talking point, and brand founders Justin and Charlo e Salisbury begin each project by collaborating with their favourite local and national artists, to create unique artworks for each space. They’re equally drawn to period properties, so create interiors that are sensitive to the building’s history, while still feeling welcoming and homely.
A er ‘accidentally stumbling into hospitality’, the pair do things a li le di erently from larger hotel chains, and each venue is lled with unexpected surprises, whether that’s vintage headboards, antique signage, antler chandeliers, reclaimed ooring or quirky industrial furniture.
While prices vary from place to place, small rooms start from around £90 a night. We particularly love the decor in AR Brighton, the rst acquisition and Justin’s erstwhile family B&B. Now extending across two Regency townhouses, the 24-bedroom space echoes the town’s creative, bohemian nature, with each room having large, expressive paintings, and furniture that spans the eras. Downstairs is chic too, with a buzzing restaurant and a trendy cocktail bar. artistresidence.co.uk