Having a unique hotel experience tends to be a priority to enjoy the full scale of a trip away, wherever you're travelling to. When searching for an ideal stay, words such as 'luxury' and 'VIP' usually contribute to the perceptions of what makes a five star establishment.
However, one Bristol based business owner hopes her local B&B can serve as inspiration that even an eight-bedroom bed and breakfast can achieve that. As TripAdvisor’s highest ranked B&B in Bristol, Southville Guest House has been heaped with praise online, with guests commenting on its hygiene, value and customer service.
Owner Tracy Hale firmly believes that by building a genuine connection with every visitor, and having a deep understanding of Bristol’s charm and history, is key to making any resort, big or small, feel like luxury. Many reviews left on the review site talk about its ‘excellent location’ and ‘cosy’ aesthetic.
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One reviewer, who visited Bristol during the Easter break, wrote: “Fantastic place, Tracy is a fab host too, felt at home, excellent location. breakfast was lovely too, a nice colourful and trendy place to stay.
“My son has special needs and this was a great location for him as well. He felt comfortable which was the main thing, clean and fresh. Got my steps in and a few lovely ciders too. Definitely be back again.”
Another reviewer, who emphasised that Tracy is ‘a credit to her industry’, added: “Would definitely recommend it. Although it is a shared facility the hygiene was exceptional. The rooms were clean & comfortable.
"Tracy is an outstanding host & is a credit to her industry. The breakfast is self service & was plentiful. The street is very peaceful & the parking facility is literally a stone throw away & really is a bonus as permit parking is everywhere.
"The guest house is perfectly situated within walking distance of town centre & the fabulous Clifton suspension bridge. We will definitely be going back.”
Tracy spoke to Bristol Live about her journey as an independent business owner and why, despite its challenges, she believes that small establishments such as Southville Guest House provide an unfiltered insight into one of the most popular cities in the country. She said: “I really love my job and I love the people that come through.
"I find that I’ve been really lucky having a small business despite hitting hard times because COVID was tough. I was competing with the big hotels that were able to slash their prices for £29 a night.
“Unfortunately a few other local B&Bs shut down during COVID and I did manage to stay afloat - I’m really pleased. Lots of tourists are coming back now and I can tell them everything I love about Bristol.”
While reaching first place on the top B&Bs list on TripAdvisor is a proud professional achievement, Tracy ultimately hopes to continue operating in the city that nurtured her, while being able to spread pride amongst both locals and visitors. She said: “Big hotels can be impersonal - I get to spend time talking to guests.
"I’ve got maps of Bristol where I circle local spots from St. Nick’s Market, North Street and to all the local small businesses - I always gravitate towards all the local small businesses and they are the backbone of Bristol. I was born in Bristol and I grew up in Southville, so I remember playing on this street while I was little and I remember calling the harbourside ‘The Docks’.
"It’s such a pleasure because I get to do what I love in the place where I love to be meeting people from all over the world and all walks of life. They’ve all got their stories so everyday is an adventure.”
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