Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, Bristol

The hotel is located in the Old City quarter and near the gothic St John's Arch, one of the original gateways to Bristol. St Nicholas Market, Bristol's best shopping attraction, is at the end of the road and has some great pop-up food options too. Temple Meads station is a 15-minute walk away. For music, head across Harbourside to the now renamed Bristol Beacon, or if you want a night at the theatre try the Bristol Old Vic.

By car: around 1 hour 30 minutes from Exeter, 3 hours from London and 4 hours from York. There is parking available at £15 per day.

By train: trains run to Bristol Temple Meads from Exeter St Davids (1 hour), London Paddington (1 hour 40 minutes) and York (3 hours 50 minutes). The hotel is a 15-minute walk from the station. Book trains to Bristol Temple Meads.

Gone are the days when the Rolling Stones were refused entry to the bar for not wearing jackets. Now there is a far more chilled-out atmosphere - and a more relaxed bar - and the Grade II-listed building houses a collection of artworks which reflect the city's love of street art.

Service is accommodating and friendly throughout the hotel and there is a dry cleaning service, which is handy. There is currently no gym at the hotel which seems odd for a hotel of this size. Six meeting rooms are available and there is a park too.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Swimming pool
• Wheelchair accessible
• Parking (£15 per day)
• Free Wi-Fi

The rooms are all of a decent size with subtle dark green walls and colourful furnishings, and feature local artworks. The cage-like wardrobe doors are a nod to the city's industrial past. Bathrooms have snazzy patterned tile floors and waterfall showers, and some have baths.

Room types: Compact Double, Standard Twin, Standard Double, Privilege Double, Family Room, Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, queen-sized bed, TV, tea and coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi

Brick walls, distressed colouring and a blend of wood and metal furnishings - Keepers Kitchen & Bar is more like a diner that a hotel restaurant and all the better for it. The menu has a British/continental theme with burgers, sharing boards and other "crowd pleasers".

Keepers Kitchen & Bar: relaxed, diner feel, unpretenious modern British and continental cuisine. Open daily 12-10pm.