Premier Inn Bristol Cc - Lewins Mead

We had an appalling stay and didn’t feel safe or get any sleep. We were a family staying one night for a birthday after a 3.5-hour journey, with a family room and a single room booked. At check-in, reception confirmed we were family and said security wouldn’t be an issue. Later that night, my minor brother and sister came back with an appropriate adult, but security refused them entry, claiming they were “not family.” The guards shouted and acted aggressively and confrontationally, causing considerable distress. I returned straight away and was met by three security staff demanding my name and room number in an intimidating way. I said I felt threatened and unsafe, but their behaviour continued. Most concerning, my 15-year-old brother was made to buy another room for £110 just to get in, even though we already had rooms booked. A room was forced on a minor and never used. There are serious safeguarding concerns here: a minor was allowed to buy a room and threatened with removal, while a 15-year-old girl was allowed to enter a room alone, contrary to the hotel’s own policies. The following morning we raised everything with reception LIA. There was no apology, investigation, or record made. We were told there was “no handover,” so none of the aggression or safeguarding issues had been noted. The hotel showed a complete lack of safeguarding, professionalism, and basic duty of care. I’d strongly advise families, especially those with children, to avoid it entirely.

The downstairs Brewers Fayer restaurant deserves a special mention for its cracking food, helpful service and great staff. Its online menu has a good selection of gluten-free dishes, and staff are trained to avoid cross contamination. They also offer main courses for £5 from 12pm-6pm. One tip on cost: book well ahead if you can, as rooms can be £45 a night, but sometimes rise above £200 for a family of three. The hotel is right in the middle of Bristol, and the rooms are clean and modern, with plenty of plugs and a cool LED headboard light. We chose a comfortable Family Room with a double bed and an extra single. Premier Rooms are on the top floor and apparently have a kettle and fridge, but only sleep up to two people. My one gripe is the sheet-by-sheet toilet paper dispenser, which is a pain, so bring a roll. There are discounts for NCP parking, but a room at Future Inn might be a better deal if booked direct, as it includes free parking and may have nicer rooms for less.

The room had no view, but it was quiet and clean, and I slept well. My only small complaint is that the pillows felt a bit flat and weren’t very comfortable. The staff around the hotel were warm and helpful. I was impressed that they took food allergies seriously: breakfast was prepared fresh and separately, so I could safely enjoy a gluten-free Full English. It’s an ideal base for exploring the city centre, two minutes from the bus station and about five minutes from Cabot Circus.

We often pick Premier Inn when travelling because its branches are easy to find near city centres, and the Bristol one met our expectations. Rooms were clean and comfortable, while the friendly, cooperative staff made us feel welcome. The premium rooms are spacious and spotless, good for a short city break or work trip. Breakfast is consistently good, and it’s nice that they keep adding new food items. Wi-Fi was the only small downside, as it felt slow at times, especially in the evenings. Still, it’s great value for money, convenient and reliable, and a safe choice for a comfortable Bristol stay.