Best Western Bristol North The Gables Hotel

I spent two nights here after arriving late on Friday following a nightmare journey through floods and accidents. My room, 301, was advertised as a small double, but it was actually a great size with plenty of storage and space. It was quiet, warm, and brilliant overall, with a fantastic bathroom and rainfall shower, good towels, blackout blinds and curtains, and lots of heating and fan options. There was a Dolce Gusto coffee maker, but it needs instructions; for a cappuccino, use BOTH pods. The receptionist on arrival knew I'd been delayed and had asked the restaurant to hold my reservation, which I really appreciated. The receptionists were lovely. I ate in the restaurant both nights, once alone and once with friends. The calamari, steak, prawns, pasta, salads and desserts were all good quality, fresh, hot where appropriate, and thoroughly enjoyable. Breakfasts were great too, hot and good quality, with a good selection and decent sausages. The staff were all good, especially Kaitlyn in the restaurant, who's an asset. The main issue was finding the place in the dark. The signage is hard to see, and I'm not sure if a bulb on the sign was out. The value was great, I'd recommend The Gables, and I'll definitely return.

The breakfast selection was great, and the sausages were amazing. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the car park was huge. I stayed for work and will be back, though it's not the Best Best Western. The ground-floor room felt a little outdated, and the table lamps wouldn't switch on separately from the main light, which was a bit blinding at night. I wasn't keen on the restaurant food; honestly, it was no better than a Sizzling or similar chain pub. There are great contractors here.

Our first impressions were good: a decent location, nice staff and a clean room. The first night was fine, but on the second the hotel hosted a huge Christmas party in a conference room two doors down. The noise was horrendous, and after the party ended at who knows what time, lots of attendees passed our room, worse for wear after too much drink. If the hotel knew about the event, why put guests who weren't attending in the same wing when there were plenty of other rooms? For that reason, I can't recommend this hotel.

We arrived at 10pm and bought a drink at the bar, where Chris served us. The hotel and rooms are great, but Chris came across as blunt and miserable, and the welcome and hospitality were very poor. We felt targeted and picked on because we're 19, and thought Chris was very judgmental.