Travel / Hotels
Behind the scenes at Bristol’s Leonardo Hotel ahead of opening day
The first purpose-built Leonardo Hotel in the UK is opening on Monday, with the finishing touches currently being carried out before the first guests are welcomed through the doors.
Leonardo Glassfields on Temple Way has almost 200 bedrooms, and an on-site restaurant and bar which hotel bosses hope will both become destinations in their own right.
Coffee from Wogan in St Jude’s, beers from Wiper & True in St Werburgh’s and gin from Psychopomp in Kingsdown is evidence that this is an international chain who want to support local Bristol businesses.
is needed now More than ever
The hotel’s bar will be stocked with locally sourced drinks – photo: Martin Booth
Much of the menu at the hotel restaurant, Leo, will be locally-sourced – photo: Martin Booth
“Because this is the first purpose-built Leonardo hotel in the UK, it’s our chance to put our stamp on the brand,” says Leonardo Glassfields general manager Ryan Foster, who has relocated to Bristol from Belfast to open the new hotel.
“Leonardos are more localised in the community so there’s a chance to have local suppliers, including food and beverage.”
Deputy general manager Billy McCabe said that “for us, it’s not just about bringing a national chain into a city, it’s very much about the integration into the city”.
He said: “We won’t just be a destination for people travelling into Bristol, we are opening a new branded restaurant, Leo’s, which we will like to be a destination for the local community, just as much as for our hotel guests.”
Billy added: “I’m feeling very excited. You can see such a potential here. When I walked into this hotel for the first time, I fell in love with it. Now we’re starting to piece the elements together. The vision is there. Now I just can’t wait to show it to the Bristol community.”
Leonardo Glassfields general manager Ryan Foster (right) and deputy general manager Billy McCabe (left) – photo: Martin Booth
Photos of Bristol street art are among the framed artwork on bedroom walls – photo: Martin Booth
The hotel’s main entrance is currently accessed from Broad Plain – photo: Martin Booth
The hotel is next to the former Printers Devil pub – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: New hotel to open in Bristol from Europe’s fastest growing chain
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