Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre

From the outside, the Holiday Inn building is rather dull, a boxy structure of concrete, with a glass facade. Inside, though, it feels much more modern and bright, with a wall of windows and low brown leather couches grouped into sitting areas. Opening onto the lobby, the Spot restaurant is bright and comfortable with the same walls of windows and circular cushioned booths, wood tables, and stylish cylindrical dome lights. The meeting rooms are new and tech-friendly, and the small gym, too, is fully modernized and has south-facing windows, which let in ample natural light.

The hotel is located on a traffic circle on a busy ring road that goes around the entire city, meaning there is a lot of traffic around and limited pedestrian access. Those arriving from the train station will find it easier to arrive by taxi than on foot. There are plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants in the immediate area around the hotel. The Hippodrome is less than a mile away -- a four-minute drive or 15-minute walk -- and Cabot Circus shopping area is about a five-minute walk from the hotel. Bristol Temple Meads, the main train station, is a 25-minute walk or a seven-minute drive from the hotel. Bristol Airport is a 20-minute drive away without traffic.

There are 155 rooms at this Holiday Inn and, after a major renovation in 2011, all are colorful and modern, and decorated in a style that's typical of the mid-range chain. There are lime green or dark red accents, and stylish black and white canvas prints of cityscapes adorning the walls. Higher-tier rooms have wall-size glass doors that lead to a private unfurnished balcony, with additional triple-paned glass to eliminate outside traffic noise; higher-tier rooms have rainfall showers. Bathrooms are modern with basin-style sinks and tiled shower/tub combinations in most. All rooms are equipped with a coffee/tea kettle and mini-fridge (stocked upon request). The suites are quite large, with a separate sitting area with a dual-sided gas fireplace and two mounted flat-screen TVs. There are electronic outlets for USB ports and audio/video cables, and rooms have free (but weak and slow) Wi-Fi access.

There is free Wi-Fi in rooms and throughout the hotel, but its weak and slow, so it may be worth it to pay for an upgrade. There is a paid parking garage next door with highly discounted rates for hotel guests. There is also a small fitness room with high-end machines and equipment, as well as a business center and some meeting/presentation rooms. The Spot restaurant and bar offers breakfast (not included in rates), lunch, and dinner, with a menu that covers everything from Greek salads to burgers to curry; the restaurant offers discounts for small children. Room service is available 24 hours.