🇬🇧 Bristol, United Kingdom
Hotel Du Vin
📍 Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NU
Your stay — Hotel Du Vin
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Bristol.
The Property — Hotel Du Vin
Hotel Du Vin in Bristol occupies a converted sugar house in the old city centre, blending original stone walls and timber beams with dark leather club chairs and a decent wine list. It feels like a French brasserie dropped into a dockside warehouse: polished but not stiff. Rooms are compact by chain-hotel standards, but the beds are good and the rainfall showers work well. Best for couples or solo travellers who want a central base with genuine character, not a faceless business hotel.
Chronicles of Bristol
Bristol grew rich on the 18th-century slave trade and sugar refining, then reinvented itself as a centre of engineering and aviation – Concorde was built here. The medieval core was badly bombed in WWII, leaving a mix of Georgian terraces, Victorian redbrick and bold postwar concrete. Today the city is defined by its independent food scene, street art (Banksy's early work is still visible), and a fierce civic pride that resists corporate blandness. The floating harbour is the main social and physical anchor, lined with converted warehouses and modern flats.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bristol guide →Best months
May, June and September: consistently warm (18-22°C), low rainfall, and the big summer festival crowds haven't arrived or have gone. Perfect for walking the harbour and eating outside.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are absolute peak, driven by school holidays plus the Bristol Harbour Festival (mid-July) and Balloon Fiesta (early August). Hotel prices can double, and the city centre is packed. Book 3-4 months ahead for a decent rate.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are ideal for budget-conscious travellers: mild days (12-16°C), lighter crowds, and hotel rates drop 30-40% from the summer peak. You'll still get good weather for sightseeing, just need a light jacket.
Weather & packing
Bristol's weather is famously fickle – you can get four seasons in one afternoon, thanks to the Atlantic jet stream. Pack layers you can peel off or add: a waterproof jacket with a hood, a thin jumper, and comfortable shoes that don't mind a sudden shower.
Live City Briefing — Bristol
- The Bristol Clean Air Zone (CAZ) now covers the entire city centre up to the M32 – most older diesel cars pay £9/day, so check your vehicle or plan to arrive via Temple Meads station (10-minute walk to Hotel Du Vin).
- Wapping Wharf's 'Cargo' container food court has two new openings for 2026: a Korean fried chicken spot and a natural-wine bar – both a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
- The Bristol Harbour Festival 2026 runs 17-19 July, with live music stages along the water and firework displays – expect road closures around Queen Square and the hotel's doorstep.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Du Vin, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building, facing away from Narrow Lewins Mead. These upper floors reduce street noise and are above the bar and lobby hum.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those overlooking Narrow Lewins Mead, because of traffic noise from the dual carriageway and pedestrians. Also steer clear of rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the lift can be audible.
Best views
The best view is from higher floors (third or fourth) at the back: you’ll see rooftops and a slice of the city skyline, rather than the junction and bus stops on Lewins Mead.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors are the quietest, as they are farthest from street-level noise and the ground-floor bar.
🔊 Noise notes
Narrow Lewins Mead is a busy city-centre route connecting the M32 to the harbour, so expect traffic noise from about 7am to 7pm on the front side. The hotel bar can be lively until late (especially weekends), so rooms directly above it may get bass thud.
Insider tips
Park at NCP Broad Quay (St Stephen’s Street) for £16 overnight — cheaper than most city centre options and a straightforward walk along the waterfront. Check in early if you can: the hotel often upgrades guests arriving before 3pm to rear-facing rooms if available.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel Du Vin
Free for all guests; typical download speed around 15–25 Mbps. Login via room number and last name, no time limit
One internal lift serves all floors; no stairs-only sections in the main hotel
Free digital PressReader access via hotel login; physical copies of The Guardian and The Times available at reception on weekdays
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00 without charge (subject to room availability). Late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged £30 until 14:00, after 14:00 full night rate applies
Complimentary for early arrivals and post check-out, left at reception desk
Step-free access at main entrance via ramp; one accessible room on ground floor. Lifts to all floors, but door widths in some bathroom areas may be tight for larger wheelchairs
No on-site parking. Nearest 24h public car park: NCP Broad Quay (10 min walk), £16 overnight (18:00–08:00). No EV charging on premises
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (local accommodation tax not applicable in Bristol for standard bookings)
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking. At check-in a £50 per night card hold is taken for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Emmanuel (68 m · ~1 min walk)
- Church: Chapel of the three Kings of Cologne (212 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: St John The Baptist (270 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: St James' Priory (370 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
The Galleries — 530 m · ~7 min walk
St James' Park — 386 m · ~5 min walk
Palestine Museum & Cultural Centre — 321 m · ~4 min walk
Bristol Beacon — 432 m · ~5 min walk
Argyle Place Park — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 159 m · ~2 min walk
Rowlands Pharmacy — 149 m · ~2 min walk
Colston Mini Market — 119 m · ~1 min walk
Bristol Bus & Coach Station — 420 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →British Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Offices for better rates than airport exchanges; avoid tourist-area currency booths which charge poor rates and high commissions.
Contactless cards and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are nearly universal; most businesses accept cards, but some small independent shops may be cash-only.
15% in restaurants is customary for good service (often auto-added to bills); round up for taxis; hotel staff tips are optional but appreciated (£1-2).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Chain café coffee (Pret, Caffe Nero, Costa) costs £2.50-3.50; independent cafés in Stokes Croft/Gloucester Road area often cheaper at £2-3.
Meal deal at supermarkets (sandwich, snack, drink) typically £3-5; fish & chips or kebab around £5-7.
Curry houses and Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurants in the area offer mains for £7-12; pub food usually £9-15.
Stokes Croft and Gloucester Road have clusters of independent takeaways (curry, kebab, pizza, Asian); St Nicholas Market (city centre, 10min walk) has food stalls at reasonable prices.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Lidl are common in/near BS1; Aldi and Lidl offer best budget prices.
Vintage and independent boutiques line Stokes Croft and Gloucester Road; larger high-street chains (Zara, H&M, Topshop) in city centre (5-10min walk); charity shops throughout for bargains.
Day bus pass (all-day unlimited Bristol buses) costs £5.50; single bus fare £1.70-2.50; cheapest airport option is bus (Bristol Airport Flyer ~£16 return) rather than taxi (£40+).
Use Oyster-style contactless card (same as London) or daily bus passes rather than single tickets. Visit free attractions: M Shed museum, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, and St Augustine the Less church. Eat lunch (set menus) rather than dinner at restaurants for 30-40% savings.
Good to know — Bristol
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bristol, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel Du Vin
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 159 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Rowlands Pharmacy — 149 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Bristol City Centre → Arnos Manor Hotel, Totterdown area
💡 Day Rider ticket (£4.50) provides unlimited travel. Routes 1 & 2 run directly past hotel. Most convenient local option.
Bristol Airport (BRS) → Arnos Manor Hotel, Arnos Street
💡 Book in advance through hotel concierge for better rates. Journey takes 25-30 mins depending on traffic.
Bristol Airport (BRS) → Bristol City Centre (near Arnos Manor Hotel)
💡 Most economical airport transfer. Hotel is walkable from city centre bus stops on Colston Avenue.
Bristol Airport (BRS) → Bristol Temple Meads Station (0.3 miles to hotel)
💡 Reliable and frequent. From Temple Meads, walk 5 mins or catch local bus to Arnos Manor Hotel area.
About Bristol
Wikipedia ↗
Bristol ( ) is a city and ceremonial county in South West England. It is located on the River Avon, and bordered by Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south with a short coastline on the Bristol Channel to the west. The county includes the majority of the Bristol conurbation, however, ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Du Vin?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor at the rear of the building, facing away from Narrow Lewins Mead. These upper floors reduce street noise and are above the bar and lobby hum.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Du Vin?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those overlooking Narrow Lewins Mead, because of traffic noise from the dual carriageway and pedestrians. Also steer clear of rooms near the lift shaft on any floor — the lift can be audible.
Is Hotel Du Vin noisy?
Narrow Lewins Mead is a busy city-centre route connecting the M32 to the harbour, so expect traffic noise from about 7am to 7pm on the front side. The hotel bar can be lively until late (especially weekends), so rooms directly above it may get bass thud.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Du Vin?
The best view is from higher floors (third or fourth) at the back: you’ll see rooftops and a slice of the city skyline, rather than the junction and bus stops on Lewins Mead.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Du Vin?
Park at NCP Broad Quay (St Stephen’s Street) for £16 overnight — cheaper than most city centre options and a straightforward walk along the waterfront. Check in early if you can: the hotel often upgrades guests arriving before 3pm to rear-facing rooms if available.
What time is check-in at Hotel Du Vin?
Check-in at Hotel Du Vin is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Du Vin have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; typical download speed around 15–25 Mbps. Login via room number and last name, no time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Du Vin?
None (local accommodation tax not applicable in Bristol for standard bookings)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Du Vin?
Meal deal at supermarkets (sandwich, snack, drink) typically £3-5; fish & chips or kebab around £5-7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Du Vin?
Day bus pass (all-day unlimited Bristol buses) costs £5.50; single bus fare £1.70-2.50; cheapest airport option is bus (Bristol Airport Flyer ~£16 return) rather than taxi (£40+).
When is the best time to visit Bristol?
May, June and September: consistently warm (18-22°C), low rainfall, and the big summer festival crowds haven't arrived or have gone. Perfect for walking the harbour and eating outside.
Top Attractions in Bristol
💡 The M Shed's top-floor cafe has a balcony with one of the best city views over the harbour. Free walking tours run Saturdays at 11am from the main entrance.
💡 Head to the upper gallery for the Qing dynasty ceramics—most visitors miss them. Check their website before you go as some special exhibitions charge entry.
💡 Go early on a clear day to see the Avon Gorge and, on very clear days, the Welsh hills across the Severn. The tower closes in high winds, so check the council website.
💡 Walk across at sunset for the best light on the gorge. The Leigh Woods side has a short trail with a different viewpoint back toward the city.
💡 Buy a ticket online in advance to save a few quid. The free harbour walk around the Great Western Dockyard gives you good views of the ship without paying.