Travel / Bristol
A tour of the UK’s first luxury hostel boat
The UK’s first luxury boat hostel has opened its doors in Bristol.
Stepping onto the Kyle Blue close to Brunel’s Buttery, you’re greeted with panoramic views that no other hostel in the city can match. Through the boat’s big clear windows, light shimmers across the Floating Harbour as swans make ripples in the water.
Primarily aimed at travellers, the boat is a cross between a hostel and a hotel. Having only been open for a few weeks, you can still smell the new, decadent grey carpet that covers the floor.
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On the top deck, a spacious living area with plenty of comfy seating leads into a fully equipped, communal kitchen.
The luxury hostel is the brain child of Martin Jefferies, who studied mechanical engineering at Bristol University.
Since then he has travelled the world, living in California before returning to Bristol, which he describes as “the most amazing, eclectic, weird, creative, animated city.”
Having set up Bristol Backpackers on St Stephen’s Street almost 20 years ago, Martin wanted to create something similar, but also unique.
Kyle Blue is a century-old former Dutch barge and Martin has renovated the whole place himself with the help of his carpenter.
“When I got it I gutted the whole thing and took all of the walls, the engine and the gear box out,” Martin explains. “When I gutted the hull it looked like an upside down cathedral.”
You can still see some of the boat’s original features below deck where the bedrooms are. The boat is like a Tardis and it’s surprising how many rooms there are beneath.
Bedrooms are separated into dorms and small double rooms, which can accommodate most groups of people from couples to families as well as lone travellers. There is even a dorm with two mini beds designed for children.
The most impressive room is a spacious dorm that sleeps seven and has beautiful views of the water if you look through the port holes.
Designed for backpackers, there is no storage space in the rooms other than under beds and so packing lightly is advised.
The lack of space and simplistic decoration are reminiscent of hostel rooms, the bathrooms stand out as a luxury aspect.
Unlike most hostels, there are no communal bathrooms, but private showers and toilets. This is perfect for any traveller who wants a rare moment of privacy while they’re backpacking.
Seemingly never short of a new project, Martin has now started making sparkling wine at his vineyard in Somerset. He has ambitions plans for the Kyle Blue’s future, and ideas for Bristol’s first floating champagne bar in the pipelines.
For more information, visit www.kylebluebristol.co.uk
Read more: 14 historic photos of the Floating Harbour