The Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport opened in February 2017 and remains the only hotel located directly on the Bristol Airport site. After many past positive experiences, I booked a stay to avoid relying on buses from the city centre, taxis, or hotel shuttles for our 5:40 AM flight.
The hotel has recently been expanded, adding an extra 50 rooms, which is certainly needed given it’s often booked out.
The hotel extension
Booking
I booked a non-refundable stay back in January 2024 direct via the Hilton app after booking a package trip to Rovaniemi.
I first clicked through via Avios.com to earn 4 Avios per £1 spent. I do not have Hilton status, but I noticed that Diamond members earn only 1 point per £1 spent, compared to non-status and Gold members who earn up to 4 points per £1 (currently 6). Surely this should be the other way around!
The total cost was £133.25 for a Twin Room, which is reasonable by this hotel’s standards. Rates often climb to £200, and the hotel is usually booked months in advance. For my next stay, I’ve had to book via Booking.com as there were no rooms left booking direct, despite booking well in advance.
Location
The hotel is easily walkable from the main airport terminal. Access to Bristol Airport is more difficult than at most other UK airports. There is no train link; only regular Flyer buses from Bristol, Bath and Weston-super-Mare, plus coaches.
The new Bristol Airport bus terminal
That’s why the Hampton by Hilton Bristol Airport stands out. It’s on the airport site, and it’s a short walk of under 5 minutes to the terminal, with no shuttle required. If you’re travelling with lots of luggage, give yourself a couple of extra minutes – it’s still far easier than shuttles, but it’s not a flat, indoor walkway.
Well signed when exiting the multi-storey carpark
Access is not completely covered. You enter via the same walkway as before the Bristol Airport upgrade
Check-in
Credit: Hilton
Walking into the reception area, it’s very spacious and clean. It’s always a relief after a long flight or train journey. I always find the reception staff to be friendly and helpful. Official check-in is 3:00 PM.
The corridor was well-maintained
Seating in the reception area
The Room
The rooms here are clean and modern. Beds are comfortable, and soundproofing is reasonable. Some of the rooms are on the small side, but for a one-night stay, I found this ok. It’s very much a sleep-and-go room.
The standard setup of a Twin Room
Other room types include Queen/Queen with Sofa Bed/Queen Accessible, Super King, and Family Connecting Room.
The WIFI is free, fast, and reliable. I spent a few hours finishing some work before the trip.
Bathroom
The bathroom was functional and all we needed for a one-night stay. Plenty of towels were provided along with shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. I always find this hotel to be very clean.
It’s always nice to have body lotion provided, too. I’m always a fan of this one, though I do prefer individual toileteries.
Tea and coffee-making facilities were also everything we needed. I was surprised to find coffee bags rather than filter coffee, though I find the taste similar.
Dining
The restaurant here has lots of mediocre reviews. Despite staying here plenty of times, I’ve never dined here, so I thought I’d give it a go. Though it’s very convenient to have somewhere to eat if needed, the menu is very basic, as is the seating.
If you’re dining here, make sure your expectations aren’t high. The food is nice and perfectly edible, but nothing luxurious.
I’m sure you can agree, these dishes could have been more appealing! We ordered cheese-topped chips with a side salad and kids’ tomato pasta.
Cheesy Chips and a side salad
Kids tomato pasta
My 6-year-old was not a fan, unfortunately, despite tomato pasta being her favourite.
There’s also a paid coffee machine in the reception area, which is a nice touch, especially if you leave too early for breakfast or want a quick grab-and-go coffee.
A variety of snacks and drinks are also available.
Next to the bar, you’ll also find more snacks and toiletries for sale.
Just minutes from the hotel in the new multi-modal hub, you’ll find M&S food. Just inside the terminal, you’ll also find a WHSmith. New to Bristol Airport, there’s also a Ritazza, a Caffè Nero, and a Burger King before security.
The new Bristol Airport walkway – looking festive
Breakfast
Credit: Hilton
I’m always impressed with the breakfast offering. Again, it’s nothing luxurious, but a continental breakfast is served from 4:00 AM, and bags to go are available if required. At 6:00 AM, a hot breakfast is served buffet style.
Unfortunately, this time, our flight departed at 5:40 AM, so we missed breakfast. However, I always enjoy breakfast here, and I can confirm it’s a much better standard than the other dining. I will add photos after my next stay.
Parking
A view of the hotel carpark from the corridor
Parking is the one area where this hotel can feel unnecessarily stressful. The big thing to know is that you’re effectively dealing with Bristol Airport-style parking and enforcement, not a normal hotel car park setup. Plan carefully if you plan on parking here. It’s £45 per day, which is cheaper than other 12-24 hour options on the airport site, but it’s not available to pre-book.
If I were driving here, I would most likely park elsewhere. However, there is 1 hour of free parking, so you can check in and drop off your bags before moving your car elsewhere.
Other Facilities
Credit: Hilton
There’s also a small on-site gym, which is absolutely fine for a one-night stay. You’ll also find a Business Centre and meeting rooms.
Check-Out
The hotel has a convenient ‘leave your key in a box’ check-out. Official check-out time is 11:00 AM.
Getting it for Less / Hilton Status Benefits
As a Hilton status holder, you won’t find many extra benefits at Hampton by Hilton hotels, particularly at airport properties. Breakfast is included for everyone, and you’ll still earn bonus points on eligible stays (with nights counting towards status). However, Hilton’s complimentary upgrades do not apply at Hampton by Hilton. Late check-out can be requested (the new Diamond Reserve tier has guaranteed 4 PM late check-out on qualifying stays), but it’s subject to availability. If you’re paying cash, booking early is the single biggest money-saver.
Other Hotels Near Bristol Airport
If you’re driving, there are a range of reasonably priced hotels on the way into Bristol. There’s also the Holiday Inn Bristol Airport, which is unfortunately not on the site; it’s actually 3 miles away. I’ve stayed here before but found the shuttle a faff, and it’s £8 per person each way, which is similar to the cost of the bus to the city centre. It’s been refurbished recently, and it’s certainly a consideration.
City Centre Options
Radisson Blu Bristol Centre
If you have a morning flight that’s not too early, you could consider a hotel in central Bristol. If you’re arriving by public transport, the Bristol Temple Meads area is also convenient, and the A1 Flyer stops here. In the centre, I like the Radisson Blu Waterside (review here), and there’s also the Marriott Royal.
Final Words
Yes, it can feel expensive for a Hampton, and parking needs careful planning. But if you have an early departure and want the least stressful possible start to your trip, this remains the best hotel option at Bristol Airport. I’m glad we stayed here before such an early flight. I can’t imagine getting up any earlier for a flight and having to get to the airport beforehand.
Enjoying our first day in Lapland after some extra sleep – The journey from the airport to the hotel
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