Best family-friendly hotels in Bristol, as recommended by parents

Bristol prides itself on being one of the most family-friendly cities in the UK. Packed with free-to-enter museums, parks and a zoo, Mumsnetters often recommend it for a fun, cultural city break in the UK. The first UK city to be named a European Green Capital, it’s one of the most walkable cities in the country, with lots of buggy-friendly routes to enjoy.

If you’re considering a family trip to Bristol, you’ll want a hotel that’ll give you and the kids a warm welcome, a convenient base for exploring and a good night’s sleep. Using the power of the Mumsnet forums, we’ve gathered the best of Bristol’s family-friendly places to stay.

What are the best hotels for families in Bristol?

• Best overall: Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel

• Best for a budget break: YHA Bristol  

• Best boutique hotel: Hotel du Vin Bristol

• Best with a pool: Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel

• Best central location: The Bristol Hotel  

1. Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel

Bristol Marriott Royal Hotel | Check availability

"Marriott Royal is in the most fabulous location, so central and the bar was lovely. We stayed in the summer and would definitely return" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Doyouthinktheysaurus

Set right on College Green, next to Bristol Cathedral and the historic waterfront, the Marriott Royal is Mumsnetters’ most recommended hotel for family breaks in Bristol. There are plenty of options when it comes to family rooms, with suites sleeping up to five and some rooms offering views of the river or cathedral. Nearby you’ll find the excellent We The Curious - Bristol’s science museum, which has loads of hands-on exhibits kids will love.

Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads (2 miles)

2. The Bristol Hotel

The Bristol Hotel | Check availability

"We have stayed in The Bristol Hotel many times before and always had a great stay. A good location for touring the city as well" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Trafalger

With views across the river, the Bristol Hotel is a smart, upmarket hotel with light and airy rooms. A 10-minute walk from the SS Great Britain, there’s lots of history to explore in the area nearby. Family rooms and adjoining suites are available on request, as are Nintendo Wiis, high chairs and cots. Parking is free in the hotel’s secure, weather-proofed car park, and there’s a good children’s menu at the on-site restaurant.

Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads (1.2 miles)

3. Novotel Bristol Centre

Novotel Bristol Centre | Check availability

"We stayed in the Novotel Centre; DH, me and DD in the same room (it had an enormous double sofa-bed). Was nice. Bed, huge delicious breakfast and overnight secure parking came to just shy of 70 quid, and there was a Tesco Express a minute's walk away that we bought a picnic tea from before having a nice walk around" - recommended by Mumsnet user, silverten

Just five minutes' from Bristol’s main train station, the Novotel is a great choice if you’re arriving by public transport. There’s an on-site gym, a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Kids stay free when sharing a room with two adults, and there are video games and baby equipment as well as a healthy kids’ menu. What’s more, families with kids get complimentary late checkout on Sundays, giving you that bit of extra time to get going in the morning.

Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads (0.2 miles)

4. Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel

Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel | Check availability

With modern decor that complements Bristol’s eclectic atmosphere, the Mercure Grand Hotel is located near the pretty Castle Park and the city’s shopping quarter. The four-star hotel is set in a grade II listed building and makes a great, central base for exploring the city. There’s a fully-equipped gym and a large heated swimming pool, for those who like to stay active. Family rooms are kitted out with two queen-sized beds.

Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads (1 mile)

5. YHA Bristol

YHA Bristol | Check availability

"The youth hostel is very central. They have family rooms" - recommended by Mumsney user, MinnieMountain

With vibrantly decorated communal areas and clean, no-frills rooms, the YHA hostel in Bristol’s Harbourside area is a great value choice for a family holiday. Rooms sleep up to five and there’s a choice of en-suite or shared bathrooms. The hotel’s cafe serves good quality, fairly priced food all day, and there’s a fully-equipped kitchen for self-catering guests to use. Less than a mile from Bristol’s main train station, this is the perfect base for a family adventure.

Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads (1 mile)

6. Premier Inn Bristol City Centre

Premier Inn Bristol City Centre | Check availability

"If choosing Premier inn would recommend the King Street one which is closer to the harbourside. The Haymarket one is a converted office block close to the shops but less great for tourists" - recommended by Mumsnet user, catslife

With lovely views of the river, the Premier Inn on King Street is another budget-friendly option worth considering. It’s got the comfortable beds, clean rooms and full English breakfasts you can expect from a Premier Inn, and Mumsnetters recommend this particular location over the other Premier Inn in Bristol. The location is hard to beat, with the city centre on your doorstep. There’s no parking on-site, but hotel guests can get a 25% discount at the nearby NCP multistorey on Queen Charlotte Street.

Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads (1 mile)

7. Hotel du Vin Bristol City Centre

Hotel du Vin Bristol City Centre | Check availability

"Hotel Du Vin is great. Lovely building, great service and central" - recommended by Mumsnet user, ButFleecesarewarm

While Mumsnetters most often recommend the Hotel du Vin for a romantic break without kids, it’s also a brilliant option for a luxurious family getaway. Extra beds and cots can be added to the stylishly decorated rooms for an extra fee, and you’ll need to book these in advance as not all rooms can accommodate them. There’s an ace children’s breakfast menu - plus under 4s eat for free.

Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads (2 miles)

8. Future Inn Bristol Cabot Circus

Future Inn Bristol Cabot Circus | Check availability

"We’ve stayed in a hotel by Future Inns right in the centre, it has interconnecting rooms" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Ricekrispie22

Interconnecting rooms can be a real godsend while travelling with kids. You get all the comforts of a hotel, without having to share a room with the little rascals. The Future Inn is right next to Cabot Circus shopping centre, make sure you find time for a bit of retail therapy while you’re there. Kids will love the thick American pancakes served for breakfast at the hotel’s restauran, followed by plenty of running around in the many nearby parks.

Nearest train station: Bristol Temple Meads (0.8 miles)

Is Bristol good for families?

Bristol is a great place to visit as a family. There’s always plenty to do and are entertainment option for kids of all ages. The city has art galleries, historic buildings and museums for a bit of culture, plus a zoo, an aerospace centre and an aquarium to keep the kids happy.

What are the best family-friendly attractions in Bristol?

We The Curious is Bristol’s revamped, climate-conscious science museum. Packed with hands-on exhibits and boasting a planetarium, it’s a must-see for visiting families.

Wild Place Project has replaced Bristol’s zoo, which closed after 186 years. The zoo’s animals moved just a few miles north to the Wild Place Project, which is open to visitors now.

What’s the best family-friendly hotel in Bristol?

The best family-friendly hotel in Bristol is the Marriott Royal on College Green. With its unbeatable location and great balance of luxury and laid-back, Mumsnetters highly recommend it.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what family attractions in the Cotswolds were being recommended.

We then did some online research, looking at what things to do in the Cotswolds had won accolades or had been featured in 'best choice' lists, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family-friendly things to do in the Cotswolds at the moment.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.