Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel

The hotel, a historic building with a grand facade, is primarily praised for its central location, making it an ideal base for city explorers and business travelers. While some aspects of the hotel show their age, many guests appreciate its unique character and welcoming atmosphere. For couples, the convenient setting allows for easy access to city attractions, and families find the spacious rooms accommodating for their needs. To make the most of your stay, consider requesting a room away from potential street noise and be mindful of the parking situation, which can be a point of contention for some.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a popular bar and lobby area that many guests find comfortable and inviting, often highlighting its stylish decor. While the bar is generally well-regarded, some guests noted it could get noisy, especially during events, and some found its closing hours to be early. The hotel also provides Wi-Fi, which is generally reliable. Guests appreciate the availability of ice machines and vending machines for added convenience. However, some reviews mention issues with the lifts, with one often being out of order, leading to wait times or the need to use stairs, which can be challenging, especially for guests with mobility issues or heavy luggage.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Room cleanliness receives mixed feedback; while many guests describe their rooms as clean and tidy, some report issues such as stained carpets, dirty windowsills, or mold in bathrooms. Room comfort is also varied. Most guests find the beds comfortable, though a significant number describe them as too firm or report being able to feel the springs, leading to disturbed sleep. Pillows are frequently mentioned as being thin or uncomfortable. Noise is a recurring issue, with many guests experiencing noise from adjacent rooms, corridors, and street noise, particularly on weekends, due to thin walls and old windows. Air conditioning is a major point of concern, with numerous reports of units not working, leading to rooms being too hot or too cold, often necessitating the use of small, sometimes ineffective, portable heaters. Some rooms are described as dark with poor lighting.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast receives varied reviews. Many guests find it to be good with a wide variety of options, including hot and cold selections, and appreciate the fresh orange juice and pancake machine. However, a notable number of guests describe the breakfast as average, poor, or overpriced, with complaints about lukewarm food, tasteless sausages, or limited options, especially for vegetarian guests. The coffee from the machine is often deemed unsatisfactory. The restaurant and bar also serve food, with some guests praising the quality of evening meals and pizza, while others find the food to be substandard or overpriced.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, placing guests within easy walking distance of city center attractions, bars, restaurants, St Nicholas Market, and the Hippodrome Theatre. It is also conveniently located near public transport and a reasonable walk from the train station. Parking is available in an adjacent multi-story car park, which is a significant convenience for a city center hotel. However, the parking facility itself is frequently described as tight and narrow, making maneuvering difficult for larger vehicles. There are also numerous reports of issues with the parking payment system, leading to unexpected fines or confusion upon exit, despite guests having paid at the hotel reception.

Staff & Service
The staff generally receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Many guests highlight the welcoming reception and the attentive service provided by the bar and restaurant staff. Specific mentions include staff going "above and beyond" to assist guests, offering room upgrades or complimentary gestures for special occasions. However, there are also instances of mixed feedback, with some guests encountering unfriendly or indifferent staff at the front desk, particularly during check-in or when addressing issues. Some guests report long check-in queues and difficulties reaching reception by phone from their rooms.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel occasionally hosts events or conferences, which can lead to increased noise levels and busyness, particularly in communal areas. Some guests have reported issues with room keys needing frequent re-validation. While the hotel aims to provide a comfortable stay, some rooms may lack certain amenities like a fridge or sufficient storage space (e.g., drawers). There have been isolated reports of housekeeping not servicing rooms daily or not replenishing tea and coffee supplies. The hotel has a pet-friendly policy, though specific details are not widely reviewed.