While it’s not situated in the most idyllic location (it’s just off the motorway), what it lacks in first impressions (the outside of the hotel lacks ‘wow factor’), it makes up for with a wealth of great facilities all at your fingertips.
The vibe
This 4-star hotel has a contemporary look / feel with comfort at the heart of the décor. The bar area has several seating areas that are perfect for hunkering down with a pint and the restaurant with it’s soaring beamed ceiling and artistic murals featuring seaside scenes, provide a nice nod to the local area.
The stylish and modern room options include: Signature Rooms, Signature Family Rooms (what we stayed in), Family Suites and Junior Suites.
Our room with its jazzy geometric print wallpaper in my favourite colour combo of mustard, grey and white, had a double bed, a small sofa (with a pull-out single sofa bed), a big screen TV, which was great for watching movies at night (and cartoons during the day for the kids), two large cupboards (fab for keeping your luggage out of sight) a small kitchen area with a fridge and tea/coffee making facilities, a small table with two chic mustard yellow velvet armchairs, and two large circular mirrors with sleek backlighting to add a bit of sophistication. The only thing we felt was missing from the room was a microwave, which is especially handy for families with small children, but we managed without.
Little touches such as fresh milk (which you could serve yourself from a machine down the hall - a big hit with our milk-guzzling toddler) and freshly baked cookies upon arrival, were well received.
After a speedy check in, we donned our swimwear and headed to the pool, located inside the on-site spa. Refreshingly, there are designated pool usage times for both children and adults, which means everyone can enjoy the facilities without stress. For smaller children, there is a tiny dedicated splash pool (about six inches deep), which is great for babies and toddlers who want to join in the fun but aren’t confident enough to go for a dip in the main swimming pool. Both of our children love the water and had a whale of a time kicking and splashing to their heart’s content. For those who would prefer to kick back and unwind, allowing the heat to ease their cares away, there is a hot tub and sauna.
For those who like to work up a sweat when on holiday, they also have a fitness centre with proper Technogym equipment on site, which looked pretty impressive.
The food The hotel boasts a 2 AA Rosette restaurant, giving visitors confidence they’ll be in for a treat when it comes to mealtimes. Breakfast is served buffet style and has a plethora of options to choose from including: a grilled English breakfast, poached eggs, fruits and yogurts, a selection of breads and pastries, and fruit juices, to kick start your day. |
Starters included the roasted beetroot and mascarpone with celeriac salad, which was beautifully presented with gorgeous bright colours that popped on the plate, and a selection of items from the chef’s table, including prawns, a Scotch egg, salami, sundried tomatoes and a kale salad, to name a few. For mains, I opted for the risotto and my husband had a steak with fries, which was OK, but not a patch on the other dishes.
The Aztec Hotel and Spa is a great place for families visiting Bristol to reconnect and unwind. Thanks to the on-site spa and restaurant, those who don’t wish to leave the hotel can hole up and enjoy a bit of downtime.
The details Rooms from £87 per night (for a Signature Room). The Aztec Hotel and Spa Aztec West Almondsbury Bristol BS32 4TS https://www.aztechotelbristol.co.uk/ Ashley Miln *During my visit I was hosted by the lovely team at the Aztec Hotel and Spa in Bristol. All opinions and photographs are my own. | Our experience overall Location: ★★★ Ambiance ★★★★ Food / drink ★★★★ Staff attentiveness/friendliness: ★★★ |