Holiday Inn Express Bristol City Centre, Bristol

Since my younger son moved to Bristol in 2008, I had never stayed the night there when visiting him. However, in May 2012 my elder son and his partner were driving up to Snowdonia and wanted to stop somewhere on the way for a night. They suggested I go with them on the Friday afternoon and we spend the night in Bristol. We wanted a hotel in the city that wasn’t too expensive and had a car park. I offered to do the research, and the choice was between the Holiday Inn Express and the Ibis, both at £59 for a room. I’ve seen the rooms at the Portsmouth Ibis and found them claustrophobic; we all ... more

Arriving by car is an experience... although there is on-site parking facilities (you'll have to pay more for the experience) it wasn't a very inviting prospect. You'll need to fight you're way into the hotel through a back entrance to retrieve a code for the prison-style car park that you'll experience. Although a slightly traumatic experience - condemning your car to behind bars - at least you can believe it is safe. However, in other ways the hotel shapes up quite well, the staff are polite and helpful. The rates are reasonable for it's central position - one which is especially convenient ... more