Review: Number Thirty Eight
In the age of endless identikit high-rise hotels, where you might very well end up in your neightbour’s room and never know the difference, boutique hotels are worth a visit, not only for the comfort and space, but for the attention that staffhave time to bestow on you.
On a trip to the West Country, I now cannot imagine staying anywhere else but Number 38 in Bristol’s upmarket Clifton area. Clifton is where the old meets the new. This boutique hotel (just 10 bedrooms) is a converted townhouse that exudes warmth and charm (port and mince pies on arrival in the tastefully updated front room). Up the stairs, room 3 looks out over the beautiful Clifton Downs and the double glazing ensures peace and quiet all day long, while the window in the absolutely huge bathroom offers a panoramic view over the rooftops and colourful houses of this lovely city.
The bed in the room will doubtlessly please even the choosiest sleepers and the mini bar is generously stocked (fancy red wine, anyone?). The beautiful white bathroom has wooden floors, a power shower and a spacious cast-iron bath. Oh, and it’s bigger than my entire flat. The slippers and waffle bathrobe did not go unappreciated. Wear those when you consume the hotel’s luxury breakfast in bed.
The hotel is handily placed for a wander down to Clifton Village where the pubs serve locally brewed cider and West Country ales and there are more restaurants than you can try out in an entire week. The Clifton Sausage, for example, is a very affordable, cosy yet stylish restaurant that does British food well. Expect a selection of six sausages (obviously), with a choice of two types of mash, gravy, three types of mustard, well thought-out starters and a very warm welcome. My dinner was a pork, cider and wholegrain mustard sausage (okay, three), an absolutely massive, but perfectly cooked, toad in the hole and champ. Exactly what you need on a blustery December night. I found space for a generous portion of Bramley apple and pear crumble with plenty of nutmeg-flavoured custard. Try to get a table in one of the alcoves for extra cosiness, if you can. This place is well worth seeking out and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Number Thirty Eight – Clifton: a luxury double room is from £145 per night, including breakfast, 0117-946 6905, www.number38clifton.com
The Clifton Sausage, 0117-973 1192, www.cliftonsausage.co.uk
On a trip to the West Country, I now cannot imagine staying anywhere else but Number 38 in Bristol’s upmarket Clifton area. Clifton is where the old meets the new. This boutique hotel (just 10 bedrooms) is a converted townhouse that exudes warmth and charm (port and mince pies on arrival in the tastefully updated front room). Up the stairs, room 3 looks out over the beautiful Clifton Downs and the double glazing ensures peace and quiet all day long, while the window in the absolutely huge bathroom offers a panoramic view over the rooftops and colourful houses of this lovely city.
The bed in the room will doubtlessly please even the choosiest sleepers and the mini bar is generously stocked (fancy red wine, anyone?). The beautiful white bathroom has wooden floors, a power shower and a spacious cast-iron bath. Oh, and it’s bigger than my entire flat. The slippers and waffle bathrobe did not go unappreciated. Wear those when you consume the hotel’s luxury breakfast in bed.
The hotel is handily placed for a wander down to Clifton Village where the pubs serve locally brewed cider and West Country ales and there are more restaurants than you can try out in an entire week. The Clifton Sausage, for example, is a very affordable, cosy yet stylish restaurant that does British food well. Expect a selection of six sausages (obviously), with a choice of two types of mash, gravy, three types of mustard, well thought-out starters and a very warm welcome. My dinner was a pork, cider and wholegrain mustard sausage (okay, three), an absolutely massive, but perfectly cooked, toad in the hole and champ. Exactly what you need on a blustery December night. I found space for a generous portion of Bramley apple and pear crumble with plenty of nutmeg-flavoured custard. Try to get a table in one of the alcoves for extra cosiness, if you can. This place is well worth seeking out and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
Number Thirty Eight – Clifton: a luxury double room is from £145 per night, including breakfast, 0117-946 6905, www.number38clifton.com
The Clifton Sausage, 0117-973 1192, www.cliftonsausage.co.uk