How to Find a Hotel in Bristol, England

Bristol, located on the west coast of England, is one of the warmest and sunniest cities in the United Kingdom. Once a vital port, Bristol has switched its focus to aerospace in recent years, which marks an unusual contrast to its centuries old architecture.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Passport

Find the Right Accommodations in Bristol, England

1. To book accommodations, contact Bristol Tourist Information Centre at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).

2. Pick a mid-priced hotel from one of the major chains that recently have opened in England. Most of these accommodations range from $75 to $100 per night.

3. Consider bed and breakfast inns, which are perhaps the most popular type of accommodations in Bristol, if not all of England. Expect to pay $20 or less per night, including breakfast.

4. Stay at one of the international hostels near the center of Bristol. Most of these have internet access, and they usually cost less than $20 per night.

5. You can choose one of Bristol's luxury hotels if finances permit. Many of the newer hotels were actually converted from much older buildings and warehouses along the waterfront. These accommodations will usually run less than $200 per night.

Get to Bristol, England

6. Fly in to Bristol International Airport.

7. Use the public buses to travel from the airport to your hotel accommodations.

8. Hire a taxicab when you want to reach specific destinations within Bristol.

9. Consider renting a bicycle or walking to most of the sights. Bristol is a hilly city, and you can get quite a bit of exercise by avoiding motorized transportation. Besides, cyclists are everywhere!

Enjoy Bristol, England

10. Have a pint at The Hole in the Wall Pub, said to be Robert Louis Stevenson's inspiration for the Spyglass Inn in "Treasure Island."

11. Take a walk up Vale Street, possibly the steepest residential street in all of Europe.

12. Check out the Aardman Studios, home of the Wallace and Gromit animated films. Although damaged by fire in 2005, visiting Aardman is still a thrill for many visitors.

13. Cross the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which dates from 19th century and took over 30 years to build. This architectural wonder is one the most popular destinations in Bristol.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• If you're alone at night, you might want to avoid some of Bristol's traditionally rougher neighborhoods, such as St. Paul's, Knowle West, Southmead and Hartcliffe.