Number Thirty Eight Clifton

Everything was shipshape and Bristol fashionable at Adam Dorrien-Smith’s ‘handsome, double-fronted’ Georgian merchant’s house turned boutique B&B when our inspector visited. ‘At one of the highest points of the city, it overlooks the wide sweep of the downs on one side, rooftops and distant hills on the other.’ Bedrooms and suites are ‘deeply comfortable’, styled with ‘unfussy good taste’ and some with wood panelling. A large loft suite with ‘a spectacular outlook’ had a bath and walk-in shower. The smallest rooms have just a shower, but all have a super-king-size bed, a minibar fridge and 100 Acres bath products. A rear terrace with outdoor seating is ‘reached via rather precipitous stairs’. You can order a cocktail in the lounge until 8 pm, when the ‘friendly and efficient’ staff stand down. They can also recommend great restaurants. At breakfast there is a buffet with fresh pastries, ‘delicious compote and granola’. A cooked breakfast, charged extra and ‘well worth it’, includes free-range eggs and smashed avocado on sourdough with bacon. ‘Try to nab a table with a view’, and request a parking permit when you book.