The Bristol Harbour Lodge, a grand, centrally-located former financial institution
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It’s important to admire the chutzpah of the increasing Harbour Lodges group in taking up such an enormous conversion.
This Grade II*-listed Bristol constructing (in-built 1856) was once a Lloyds financial institution and is modelled on Jacopo Sansovino’s Sixteenth-century library in St Mark’s Sq., Venice — therefore its elaborate facade, full with angels, lions, ships and cherubs.
The previous Midland Financial institution subsequent door (pictured) is a part of the lodge, and collectively there are 42 rooms of assorted sizes and styles.
We don’t get off to the most effective of begins as we’re proven to a room with no window. The Italian receptionist agrees that for £176, which incorporates dinner and mattress and breakfast, we must always no less than be allowed some daylight.
What she comes up with is a unprecedented mish-mash, however we’re surprisingly taken with it. The bed room is on one stage, the bathtub, bathe and basin on a mezzanine above and the john off the steps between the 2. We get a window however no view — it’s an ‘inside room’.
Within the bowels of the constructing, amid previous safes, is a hugger-mugger spa. Crammed into nooks and crannies is a tiny pool (5 strokes and also you’re performed), sizzling tub, sauna and steam room.
A girl with garish tattoos on her thighs is stretched out on a shelf by the new tub; a pair are holding fingers with their eyes closed. I restore to the steam room to be by myself.
Issues search for within the Gold Bar, which could properly have been the financial institution supervisor’s non-public workplace, with elaborate masonry work and excessive ceilings. The barman shakes a fantastic margarita.
Ornate: The Gold Bar, which could properly have been the financial institution supervisor’s non-public workplace, has elaborate masonry work and excessive ceilings – and the barman shakes a fantastic margarita
The Jetty Restaurant is the previous banking corridor. It’s brilliant and buzzy however service is so sluggish our waitress gives us a free glass of wine, with a aspect order of apologies.
I select the tuna and avocado starter. Protected sufficient, however what’s with the wasabi ice cream cone that comes with it? Then I’ve the duck and squid combo, an terrible conflict of cultures.
Brekkie is a luxurious affair served on fairly Emma Bridgewater-style crockery, however the music’s far too loud. I ask for it to be turned down.
The couple from the bathtub look joyful. They, and we, are happy Bristol has a lodge as grand as this in such a central place.
