Hotel of the week

Leonardo Hotel Bristol Glassfields

WHERE AND WHY: This stylish, brand-new, 197-room eco-friendly hotel is located very close to the centre of Bristol and makes an ideal base for a short break in the historic city.

The Leonardo, just five minutes’ walk from Temple Meads train station, has a bright, contemporary feel – the spacious lobby has an assortment of comfortable sofas from where to enjoy a drink from the bar, as well as workspaces where you can plug in a laptop.

Rooms feature large, comfortable beds, trendy Anglepoise lamps, and Nespresso coffee machines.

COVID CHECK-IN: The hotel observes all Covid protocols, with staff in masks and hand sanitiser at the ready.

Cold items on the breakfast buffet are individually portioned even slices of bread for toast – and a member of staff will fill your plate from the hot buffet, which has everything you need for a Full English.

ON THE MENU: The on-site restaurant offers big sandwiches with chips, as well as pizzas, gorgeous salads and steak. My partner had a lovely chicken Caesar salad while I indulged in a 10oz ribeye with frites and Bearnaise sauce.

The steak was cooked perfectly to order, the frites were hot and crisp, and the sauce indulgent, as was the chocolate fondant for dessert (a new menu is to be introduced).

WHILE YOU ARE THERE: Bristol is a very walkable city, with the Old Market shopping district just five minutes from the hotel, and the pubs and bars of King Street 10 minutes away. Or hop aboard an e-scooter (they are available for hire via a smartphone app around the city) and check out the historic harbour, where Brunel’s SS Great Britain is in dry dock, although children may prefer the Aquarium.

And keep your eyes peeled for works by local graffiti artist Banksy – his famous Well Hung Lover is the easiest to find and can be seen from the Park Street bridge across from the picturesque College Lawn.

Be sure to visit Brunel’s Clifton Suspension bridge over the River Avon.

Get there by hopping on the No8 bus from the stop just across the street from the hotel, and check out the arty shops and trendy cafes of the chic Georgian enclave that is Clifton village after.

WAKE UP CALL: Rooms from £69 a night including breakfast. jurysinns.com/hotels/ bristol/leonardo-glassfields