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Summary of reviewsThe Rodney Hotel, located in the picturesque Clifton district of Bristol, consistently earns high praise for its exceptional location. Nestled in a vibrant and charming neighborhood, guests enjoy easy access to iconic landmarks such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge and Clifton Observatory, as well as a plethora of independent shops, trendy cafes and gourmet restaurants. The peaceful, green surroundings and upmarket atmosphere contribute to a delightful experience, whether for sightseeing, attending events, visiting friends and family or exploring local parks and trails. Despite its central location, the hotel retains a quiet and peaceful ambiance.
Breakfast at The Rodney Hotel is heralded as a memorable highlight with cooked-to-order options like full English breakfasts and Eggs Royale receiving frequent accolades for their quality and taste. Vegan and gluten-free choices add to the appeal, while the beautiful and serene breakfast room enhances the morning experience. Although some guests mention a limited cold breakfast selection and a small dining area, the overall variety, freshness and attentive service are highly appreciated.
The in-house restaurant provides an exquisite dining experience in a luxurious setting with dishes like steak being notable favorites. Guests commend the food's gorgeous presentation and the service's excellence, though the restaurant's irregular hours, particularly on Sundays and Mondays, can occasionally be an inconvenience. Despite this, the hotel's prime location ensures ample alternative dining options nearby, adding to the overall positive dining experience.
Room reviews are generally favorable, highlighting cleanliness, comfort and traditional charm. However, the rooms can be small with some upper-floor rooms being hot and stuffy. Mixed feedback on the furnishings and decor indicates that some guests find them stylish while others believe they need updating. Despite these minor issues, most rooms are well-appointed with essentials and good natural light, making them suitable for short stays.
Cleanliness reviews vary with many guests praising the spotless and tidy rooms, while others note specific areas needing attention. Maintenance issues such as dusty areas and outdated furnishings occasionally detract from the experience, suggesting room for improvement in maintaining consistent standards.
The staff at The Rodney Hotel receive high commendations for their friendliness, helpfulness and professionalism. Guests frequently highlight the team's welcoming nature and the exceptional service provided by individuals like Henry and Beth. This attentive and kind approach significantly enhances the overall guest experience.
Wi-Fi service at the hotel is mostly praised for its reliability and strength, though some guests report intermittent issues with connectivity. Nevertheless, the general sentiment towards the Wi-Fi is positive.
The hotel's central location also means that guests have easy access to a vibrant nightlife scene with various bars, restaurants and cafes within walking distance. However, this convenience comes with occasional noise disturbances, particularly in street-facing rooms.
Beds at the hotel are largely described as comfortable and conducive to a good night's sleep, though there are isolated mentions of some beds needing updates due to old mattresses and springs.
Reflecting its three-star rating, The Rodney Hotel offers good value for money with practical amenities that cater effectively to budget-conscious travelers. While the historic building adds unique charm, minor issues like dated decor and small room sizes are noted. Breakfast options, though limited, are satisfactory and the overall facilities are deemed suitable for the hotel's rating.
As a historic Grade 2 listed building, The Rodney Hotel exudes traditional English charm. Guests are enchanted by its period features and old-worldly decor, despite some areas needing updating. The hotel's dog-friendly facilities further enhance its appeal, making it a pleasant destination for pet owners.
Overall, The Rodney Hotel stands out for its exceptional location, charming historical ambiance and friendly staff, making it a delightful and practical choice for travelers exploring Bristol. Show more
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Dog Friendly Hotel
It is listed as a top pick of dog-friendly accommodation. It likely offers a comfortable stay and welcomes pets.
3-Star Hotel
Located in Clifton, this hotel offers breakfast options and receives a good review score of 7.9. It provides a comfortable stay in a convenient location.
Historic Hotel
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Hotel with Parking
Room Types
Single RoomLight and airy rooms, each with minibar, complimentary fresh tea, coffee & fruit and a flat-screen TV.
Double RoomLight and airy rooms, each with minibar, complimentary fresh tea, coffee & fruit and a flat-screen TV.
Twin RoomLight and airy rooms, each with minibar, complimentary fresh tea, coffee & fruit and a flat-screen TV.
Small Double RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This double room features a minibar, a tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.5
Good
Location
The Rodney Hotel boasts an exceptional location in the heart of Clifton, one of the most charming and vibrant districts of Bristol. Guests consistently praise the hotel's prime position, nestled within easy walking distance to the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Clifton Observatory. This idyllic neighborhood is well-known for its tranquil, green surroundings and upmarket atmosphere.
Clifton Village itself is a hub of activity with a plethora of independent shops, trendy cafes and gourmet restaurants just a stone's throw away. Visitors can enjoy the delightful village vibe all while being well-connected to the broader city. A conveniently placed bus stop right outside the hotel ensures quick and easy access to Bristol's city center, main bus station and Temple Meads train station.
The location is not only practical for sightseeing but also for those attending events, visiting friends and family or exploring the local parks and trails—such as the recommended scenic trail via a historic cemetery, mere minutes from the hotel. The Clifton area, known for its historic architecture and lush green spaces, provides a superb backdrop for both relaxation and adventure.
Additionally, the hotel itself is described as comfortable and welcoming with many noting the friendly and helpful staff. The charming character property also offers quiet and peaceful nights despite its central location, making it a perfect choice for a pleasant and convenient stay in one of Bristol's most desirable neighborhoods.
Breakfast
The breakfast experience at The Rodney Hotel is widely regarded as a highlight by guests. Many praised it as excellent, delicious and worth every penny. The cooked-to-order options, from full English breakfasts to specific dishes like Eggs Royale and poached eggs with Hollandaise, were frequently highlighted for their superb quality and taste. Vegan and gluten-free options were mentioned positively, catering to diverse dietary needs.
The breakfast room, described as beautiful and serene, adds to the pleasant start to the day. Despite some mentions of a limited cold breakfast selection and a small dining area, the overall variety and freshness of the breakfast offerings left a strong impression. Guests appreciated the attentive service with breakfast often described as plentiful and well-presented.
While a few noted the service could be slow and found the continental spread somewhat lacking, the majority found the morning meal to be exceptional and a memorable part of their stay. The ambiance, coupled with the quality of food, makes breakfast at The Rodney Hotel a noteworthy experience.
Dinner
The Rodney Hotel's in-house restaurant has garnered a reputation for offering an exquisite dining experience with its luxurious and sophisticated dining room setting. Many guests found the food to be absolutely gorgeous and the service to exceed all expectations. Dishes like steak were particularly highlighted for being tasty and well-prepared, adding to the overall superb evening dining experience. Even guests who only had one course described the food as beautifully presented, notwithstanding some concerns about portion size and pricing.
Despite the evident quality of the cuisine, many guests were disappointed by the restaurant's irregular opening hours, particularly on Sundays and Mondays and sometimes due to events like weddings. This has occasionally forced visitors to seek alternative dining options nearby, though they note the hotel's prime location offers excellent nearby eateries, cafes, pubs and The Albion, which is highly praised.
Those who did dine at the hotel spoke highly of the breakfast and the unique afternoon tea offerings, further establishing the restaurant's good reputation. Some also appreciated the additional perks, such as a voucher off dinner, which added value to their meals. Communication regarding dinner bookings and restaurant availability could benefit from improvement to avoid the occasional frustration of finding the restaurant unexpectedly closed.
Overall, while the Rodney Hotel's dining experiences are generally met with high satisfaction, potential guests should be mindful of the restaurant's operational hours.
Rooms
The Rodney Hotel presents a variety of room choices, many of which are described as clean, comfortable and well-appointed. Guests appreciate the traditional layout and lovely setting of the hotel. Rooms are often noted for being snug and cozy with some offering nice touches and amenities like mini-fridges and complimentary items.
However, several reviews mention that the rooms tend to be on the smaller side with some single and double rooms being particularly compact. While the clean and comfortable beds stand out, the heat issue seems prevalent, especially in attic and upper-floor rooms, which can become quite hot and stuffy.
The furnishings and decor of the rooms receive mixed feedback; while some guests find them stylish and well-decorated, others remark that the interiors are outdated and in need of refurbishment. There is also mention of certain areas being dusty or requiring better maintenance.
Despite the varying room sizes and occasional maintenance issues, many rooms are equipped with the essentials and receive good natural light. The overall accommodation experience is functional and meets basic expectations, making it a practical choice for short stays.
Beds
At The Rodney Hotel, the consensus leans towards comfort, especially regarding the beds. Guests frequently mention that the beds are comfortable, cozy and conducive to a good night’s sleep. Many highlight the soft mattresses and the overall comfort with some describing the beds as really nice, extra comfortable and among the best they’ve ever experienced.
However, there are inconsistencies noted by some guests. A portion of the reviews point out that certain beds need updating, describing them as uncomfortable, narrow and occasionally plagued by old mattresses and springs. There are also mentions of beds being too small and a few instances of bedding being stained or containing holes. Despite these occasional drawbacks, the prevailing opinion highlights that the majority of the beds provide a comfortable and restful experience.
Cleanliness
The Rodney Hotel has garnered mixed feedback regarding its cleanliness. Many guests have praised the rooms as clean, beautiful and well-equipped with descriptors such as spotless, tidy and sparkling appearing frequently. Positive remarks highlight modern and comfortable rooms that are clean upon arrival, contributing to an overall positive initial impression.
However, some guests noted a need for deeper or more consistent cleaning. Several reviews mentioned specific issues like dusty areas, dirty carpets and mould in bathrooms. There were also complaints about cleaning discrepancies, such as housekeeping neglecting to remove wet towels and rooms not being cleaned thoroughly on a daily basis. Some reviewers pointed out problems with maintenance, including the presence of grime, mould and outdated furnishings. In particular, areas such as toilet brushes, floor crevices and sink areas occasionally fell short of cleanliness expectations.
Overall, while the Rodney Hotel has elements of cleanliness that meet guests' expectations, there is room for improvement in maintaining consistent standards throughout the property.
Staff
The Rodney Hotel consistently receives high praise for its exceptional staff. Guests frequently note the friendliness, helpfulness and welcoming nature of the team, making a lasting positive impression during their stay. Whether at reception or in the dining room, staff members are described as attentive, kind and professional. Specific individuals like Henry, the manager and Beth at reception are highlighted for their excellent service. The front desk team is particularly appreciated for being efficient and informative with staff available 24/7 to assist guests.
The welcoming atmosphere extends beyond check-in with the breakfast service and housekeeping staff also receiving accolades for their politeness and readiness to help. Many guests enjoyed the warmth and efficiency of the team, noting that nothing was too much trouble. The staff's ability to make guests feel genuinely cared for and comfortable contributes significantly to the overall positive guest experience at the hotel.
Wi-Fi
The Rodney Hotel boasts generally positive feedback regarding its Wi-Fi service. Many guests have highlighted the free Wi-Fi as a strong asset with phrases such as "great wifi," "WiFi worked exceptionally well," and "Wi-Fi worked excellent, strong and quick signal" appearing frequently. Guests commend the reliable and good Wi-Fi connection, which facilitated tasks like zoom calls, indicating the network's capacity to handle activities requiring strong internet. The hotel's in-room Wi-Fi has also received praise for its quality.
However, it's important to note that not all experiences were consistent. Some guests reported issues, including faulty connections and a complete lack of Wi-Fi during parts of their stay with one mention of the network not being secure. Despite these occasional drawbacks, the overall sentiment leans towards a positive experience with the hotel's Wi-Fi service.
Nightlife
The Rodney Hotel is centrally located, making it an ideal spot for those looking to explore and enjoy the local nightlife. Guests appreciate the proximity to a variety of nice shops, bars and cafes, which are all within easy walking distance. The area has plenty of restaurants and eateries, many of which are described as welcoming and offer numerous options for dining out and enjoying the local vibe.
However, while the central location provides easy access to nightlife, it also means that noise can be an issue, particularly for street-facing rooms. Some guests have noted disturbances from neighboring bars, late-night companies, early morning garbage trucks and even noise from the hotel's own kitchen.
Despite these challenges, the wealth of nearby bars, restaurants and cafes makes this hotel a convenient base for those wishing to immerse themselves in the local scene.
3 Star
The Rodney Hotel, nestled in the heart of Clifton village, provides a practical option for budget-conscious travelers. Reflecting its three-star rating, the hotel offers good value for money with amenities that cater effectively to short stays. While the structure is somewhat dated and the decor could benefit from an update, the historical value of the building adds a unique charm.
Guests have praised the cleanliness of the rooms, although they acknowledge minor issues and a sense of general wear and tear, from threadbare carpets to basic, yet clean furniture. The size of the rooms tends to be on the smaller side, but they are adequately comfortable for brief stays. Some rooms are well-appointed with extra features that enhance the overall experience.
Breakfast options, though limited to a cold selection, are satisfactory despite the crowded dining area. Visitors find the facilities suitable for a three-star hotel, albeit hoping for more amenities. Overall, The Rodney Hotel stands out for its affordability, particularly given its prime location, making it an ideal spot for tourists looking to explore the area without breaking the bank.
Historic
Nestled in the heart of Victorian Clifton Village, The Rodney Hotel stands as a captivating testament to traditional English charm. This Grade 2 listed building, dating back to the 1800s, is an old property that exudes historical significance and character. Guests are often enchanted by its authentic "English" feel, describing it as full of charm and character. The lovely Georgian building with its beautiful frontage and period features, showcases the essence of a traditional British home.
While some mention that the decor and fittings could use a bit of updating, many appreciate the tastefully updated elements that blend seamlessly with its old-worldly decor and traditional layout. The characterful building is lauded for its lovely communal areas, maintaining the cozy, homely atmosphere synonymous with a boutique hotel. Despite a few issues like heating problems and the need for some refreshing, the overall experience of staying in this historic gem is largely positive.
The Rodney Hotel's old-fashioned English charm, combined with its prime location in one of England's most charming cities, makes it a delightful and notable place to stay. Whether for appreciating its historical importance or simply enjoying a cozy spot in a picturesque locale, it remains a lovely, historic house with a lot of character.
Dog Friendly
The Rodney Hotel is well-regarded for its dog-friendly facilities, making it a convenient and pleasant destination for travelers accompanied by their pets. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's dedication to ensuring a welcoming environment for dogs, including accommodating rooms specifically designed for pets. Visitors with dogs, ranging from small breeds like Jack Russells to larger breeds like German Shepherds, have attested to the hotel's hospitable attitude. Its location is also praised, making it an ideal base for exploring local attractions such as Brunel's bridge and the downs. While the hotel generally provides excellent amenities for dogs, some guests noted the challenging nature of the stairs for their pets. Overall, The Rodney Hotel stands out as an excellent choice for dog lovers seeking a comfortable and friendly stay.
No, The Rodney Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Rodney Hotel.
Yes, The Rodney Hotel welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Rodney Hotel.