Bristol Harbor Inn

Elite '09

35

234

Amy K.

Seattle, WA

7/29/2008

We stayed here over the weekend for JP's college friend's wedding.  I don't have any major complaints like the other reviewers...the Inn is centrally located in Bristol, we could easily walk to restaurants, bars and the church where the ceremony was held so it was nice to park the car and not worry about it until we left.  

The staff seemed helpful enough.  Since we were taking a red-eye I called the night we were leaving to inquire about an early check-in for the following day.  I was told "no problem," and let them know we would be arriving most likely between 11 AM and Noon. Well, when we arrived our room wasn't ready.  We were tired and assured that the room would be ready within the hour.  We decided to go find some food, but as we were walking out the front desk said our room would now be ready in 15 minutes.  It was nice to see them make an extra effort to accommodate two weary travelers.  

We were on the third floor which has a weird layout, walking past some "antiques" for sale to get to our non-view room (we only paid $209/night for the room, the view rooms were running more).  The elevator is pretty scary, we stuck to the stairs.  Room wasn't huge, but not cramped either.  Had a fireplace which obviously went unused with 80 degree East Coast days.  Bathroom was a good size, but towels weren't the nicest.  

You receive a complimentary continental breakfast with your stay.  I didn't make it down but JP ran down one morning and grabbed a yogurt, english muffin and a bagel.  Apparently they were already out of fruit, which you think they'd plan ahead with a sold out inn for the wedding.

All in all, we had a clean room and comfortable bed to stay in Bristol and enjoy JP's friend's wedding.  I am sure there are tons of other much more quaint lodging options in Bristol if that is what you are after.

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Elite '09

268

1148

Allix T.

Allston, MA

3/12/2007

Aesthetically, the Bristol Harbor Inn is cute enough; however, my recent experiences there make me hesitant to ever recommend the BHI to another traveler.

Two of my closest friends got married over the weekend and booked the entire BHI (in the off season) for the big day.  They've been coordinating with the BHI since late summer so there's been ample time to have things arranged.

The staff at the BHI are some of the most unfriendly, uptight, and downright cold people I have ever met.  I normally don't name names in my reviews, but I have to call out Rafiella, the concierge at BHI, because she went out of her way to be rude to a bride to be on her big weekend.  First, she made a point to constantly "forget" who the bride was.  Also, when confirming rooms a few weeks ago, the bride (a very laid back woman), discovered that Rafiella had given her own room away.  

I could go on with a litany of other small misservices, but I hope I"m getting the point across as is.

Other strikes against the BHI include charging $120/room/night and then offering a "breakfast" that consisted of several loaves of Pepperidge Farm bread, a bowl of jelly, a bowl of hardboiled eggs, and a tupperware container of cereal.  (They refused to let us cater a bridal brunch in their breakfast room)--hardly enough food for a hotel full of people.  Those with allergies or dietary restrictions (like myself) had to go out to buy breakfast elsewhere.

The BHI staff also, upon check in, handed the bride and me letters discussing their "quiet hours" which begin at 10pm.  In the letter there contained a statement to the extent of: "we know you are here for a celebration, but other individuals, including those in your own party, may not wish to participate and may desire a quiet night's rest..."

Are you kidding me?  A woman books your hotel for a weekend when you would be otherwise empty--the only guests are members of the wedding party and family, and you hand out a letter like this?

I'm sure that someone in the past caused a disturbance and henceforward ruined the party at the BHI for all future guests, but still, you would think these people would have been grateful for the business.  Instead, they acted as if they were put out by our very presence.

There are so many great B&Bs in Bristol and the surrouding area.  Check out any of these before considering the BHI.

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29

369

Amanda M.

Portsmouth, RI

3/31/2008 2 photos

I think I'd probably recommend this place to travelers. I work in Bristol and only needed to stay when I had some car trouble one week. I don't know what other places in Bristol cost (here it's about $120 a night for a King bed), but it's right on the water and you're right in the middle of everything that Bristol has to offer, so it seems like a  good deal to me.

I thought the staff was really nice, and they have fresh fruit and cookies at the desk for guests. I had a King bed room which was upgraded to a "better room" for whatever reason, but it was tiny as could be, probably the smallest hotel room I've ever stayed in (and I've stayed in NY, San Fran, etc. who are notorious for teeny rooms). Though, for one person it was totally fine. It'd probably be fine to two people too.

I did however think the fireplace was super cute and the bathroom looked very pristine and luxurious with it's little lion embroidered towels. The bed was very comfortable and all done up with good linens.

The "breakfast" is nothing more than your usual dry continental breakfast with some cereals, english muffins and pastries, but it's not bad. The pastries were really good, I actually ganked some and brought them to work for my colleagues.

So yeah, I'd recommend based on location, and the price seems really good for Bristol.

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