Premier Inn Bristol - Alveston

This hotel offers a unique stay, with many guests highlighting its spacious rooms, often featuring balconies that provide a pleasant view over a cricket pitch. This distinctive layout, a departure from typical hotel designs, contributes to a memorable experience. Guests consistently praise the exceptionally friendly and helpful staff, who are often described as going above and beyond to ensure a comfortable stay. The comfortable beds are a recurring positive, ensuring a restful night's sleep for most visitors. While the exterior of the building is frequently noted as being older or "tired," the interior often surprises guests with its comfort and cleanliness. This hotel is particularly well-suited for families seeking ample space, travelers breaking up long journeys due to its convenient location, business travelers needing a quiet base, and couples looking for a peaceful retreat. To enhance your visit, it is advisable to book a table at the popular adjacent pub in advance, especially during peak times, and if sensitive to noise, consider requesting a room away from the cricket pitch during evening events.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests appreciate the convenience of various facilities available on-site. A vending machine in the reception area provides easy access to drinks and snacks, along with extra milk, tea, and coffee supplies for rooms. While free Wi-Fi is offered, some guests found the connection to be slow or unreliable, though sufficient for basic browsing. A notable point is the absence of central air conditioning; rooms are instead equipped with portable electric heaters and fans, which some guests found insufficient during extreme temperatures. Many rooms boast the unique feature of a balcony, offering an outdoor space and views. However, some guests noted the lack of USB charging ports in the rooms, requiring adapters for modern devices. The hotel does not have lifts, meaning guests with luggage will need to use the stairs, which some described as wobbly. Additionally, there are no in-room phones to contact reception, and some bathrooms lack a toilet brush.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The spacious rooms are a consistent highlight for many guests, providing ample space for relaxation. The beds are frequently praised for being exceptionally comfortable, contributing to a sound night's sleep. However, feedback on cleanliness is mixed; while many reviews describe rooms as spotless and tidy, some guests reported issues such as dirty skirting, dusty surfaces, uncleaned toilets, or even slime and hair in the shower drains. The bathrooms also receive varied comments; some found them clean with good water flow, while others noted problems like rust, dirty grouting, mouldy tiles, or very small dimensions, making them challenging for average-sized individuals. Noise levels are generally low, with rooms often described as quiet, though external noise from nearby cricket club events can occasionally be disruptive. In-room amenities typically include a good hairdryer and well-stocked hot drink provisions. The overall room condition is often described as "tired" or "dated" by some, indicating a need for refurbishment, though others found them perfectly adequate.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast service generally receives high praise, with many guests describing it as "excellent," "delicious," and "well cooked." The breakfast room, a new addition, is noted for being clean, tidy, and cozy, offering a pleasant start to the day. Guests appreciate the variety of options, including hot food, pastries, and fresh items, with staff often ensuring popular items are replenished promptly. However, some guests experienced issues, such as food being dry, cold, or limited in choice, particularly on certain days or when the room was very busy. The hotel itself does not offer lunch or dinner, but the adjacent pub, the Ship Inn, is frequently highlighted as a major dining draw. This pub is consistently praised for its high-quality food, relaxing atmosphere, and friendly staff, though some guests found it to be a little expensive. It is often recommended to book a table at the pub in advance due to its popularity. Additionally, guests noted that other restaurants and takeaways are available a short drive away.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel is situated in a peaceful location, set slightly away from main routes and motorways, making it an ideal stop-off point for long journeys, particularly for those heading towards Cornwall. Guests find it easy to find and appreciate its convenient access to the M5 and M4. Its proximity to local areas like Thornbury, including the golf club, and an express bus service into Bristol city center, is also a significant advantage. The hotel offers ample free parking, with many spaces available, though some guests reported issues with lighting in certain areas of the car park. A recurring theme in reviews is the hotel's external appearance, which is often described as "tired," "dated," or resembling a "1960s motel style," leading to initial disappointment for some. Despite this, the convenient and quiet setting is generally well-regarded. However, some guests noted accessibility challenges, particularly for those with mobility issues, as the hotel lacks lifts and has wobbly staircases, and staff were not always trained on the available stair lift.

Staff & Service
The staff at this hotel consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback, frequently described as "friendly," "helpful," "polite," and "attentive." Many guests highlight their willingness to "go above and beyond" to ensure a pleasant stay, often creating a welcoming and caring atmosphere. The check-in process is generally reported as flawless, quick, and smooth, setting a positive tone for the visit. Guests appreciate specific services such as staff accommodating requests for extra heaters, reserving tables for large breakfast parties, or even providing thoughtful gestures like toys and coloring books for children. While the vast majority of comments praise the staff's excellent attitude and teamwork, a few isolated instances mention staff being "unfriendly," "gruff," or "disinterested" when addressing certain issues, such as room cleanliness or heating problems. Overall, the dedication of the team to providing excellent service is a standout feature, contributing significantly to guest satisfaction.

Additional Information
This hotel, a former Trust House Forte building, offers a distinctive chalet-like room style that deviates from typical hotel layouts, with many rooms featuring balconies. Guests should be aware that while the building has a unique charm, some have noted concerns regarding the security of the balcony doors, describing them as feeling flimsy. A recurring issue for some guests is the external noise emanating from the adjacent cricket club, particularly during evening events, which can include shouting and music, potentially disturbing sleep. For those traveling by electric vehicle, a fast charger is conveniently available on-site, though it is not free to use. The hotel also benefits from an express bus service providing direct access into Bristol city center, offering a convenient alternative to driving. Guests have the option for a late checkout, which can be arranged with reception. However, a few isolated reports mention issues such as an ant infestation in rooms or a lack of hot water, which were addressed with varying degrees of satisfaction by staff.