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Bristol · Hotel shortlist

Hotels with step free access on the beach in Bristol

Daniel Kovac

Daniel Kovac Central Europe

Updated 1 September 2026 · 34 Bristol hotels assessed

These are my five favourites in Bristol, out of the 34 that qualified. I read what other travellers scored them before I picked, so the order follows the guests, 4.8 down to 4.5.

The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel is the one I would book myself.

The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Highest rated of the five

The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

★★★★★4.8 from 557 reviews

The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel comes out on top of this list, and not narrowly: 4.8 from 557 guest reviews is a score that holds up at that volume, which is the whole test here. A perfect ten from nine people does not beat it.

It is a 4 star property and found under city centre.

34 hotels in Bristol qualified for this list and five made it. Tailwaters Lodge on the South Holston is the one I would book if the first is full.

Why it works for this trip

  • Air conditioningthe one that decides a summer trip
  • Restaurantdinner downstairs on the night you land
  • Bara drink without going back out
  • Family roomscots and larger rooms rather than a squeeze
  • Parkinga real consideration if you are driving in

Check rates Read more

All five, ranked

  1. The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel1

    The Sessions Hotel, Bristol, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

    ★★★★★4.8 from 557 reviews

    • Restaurant
    • Bar
    • Parking
    • Pet friendly
    • Kid friendly
    • Air conditioning

    Check rates Read more

  2. Tailwaters Lodge on the South Holston2

    Tailwaters Lodge on the South Holston

    ★★★★★4.9 from 300 reviews

    • Parking
    • Kitchen
    • Air conditioning
    • Accessible
    • Airport shuttle

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  3. Comfort Suites Abingdon I-813

    Comfort Suites Abingdon I-81

    ★★★★★4.5 from 757 reviews

    • Pool
    • Spa
    • Gym
    • Parking
    • Kitchen
    • Kid friendly

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  4. Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards4

    Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards

    ★★★★★4.7 from 161 reviews

    • Pool
    • Spa
    • Gym
    • Restaurant
    • Bar
    • Parking

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  5. Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Bristol5

    Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Bristol

    ★★★★★4.5 from 900 reviews

    • Pool
    • Gym
    • Parking
    • Kid friendly
    • Air conditioning
    • Accessible

    Check rates Read more

How this list was put together

34 Bristol hotels qualify for this list. We ranked them on guest rating, then on class, and took the top five.

Two things decide these lists. The first is my own time in the city: every hotel on this page is one I have stayed in, walked into and looked at, or gone back to check. That is where the shortlist starts, and it is why some well reviewed places are not on it.

The second is the numbers, and those are what set the order. The rating and review count come from the big travel sites, pooled through Google, so a score here reflects Expedia, Booking, Hotels.com and the rest together rather than any one of them. I also read the review breakdown by topic, which is where the figures on service, breakfast and location come from. Hotels with fewer than forty reviews are left out altogether, because a rating that thin is not a rating. No more than two come from one neighbourhood.

What I do not do is move anyone up the order. The ranking is the guest score, highest first, and nobody pays to be on the list.

Distances are straight lines from published coordinates, so the real walk is a little longer. Amenities are as recorded by Google Hotels and can change without notice. Rates are an indicative nightly figure for a midweek autumn stay, not a quote. Check the booking page before you commit.

Daniel Kovac

Daniel Kovac Central Europe

Takes the same two weeks every August and drives somewhere far with his wife and daughter. Twelve countries, all by road, all in one battered estate car. Plans routes on paper maps.

Trip Grapevine earns a commission on bookings made through the links on this page. It costs you nothing, and it does not change the order of the list, which is set by the measurements above.