Mollie’s Motel Bristol: REVIEW
If you’re looking for a stylish, convenient and affordable place to stay in Bristol, or need a motorway stopover on your way to the South West, the 123-room Mollie’s Motel might just be your perfect match. Inspired by the classic American roadside motels of the 1950s and 60s, and with interiors designed by Soho House, Mollie’s offers a chic, retro experience that’s both fun and functional. Boring motorway hotel this is NOT. Here’s my review of Mollie’s Motel Bristol.
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Mollie’s Motel Bristol location
Located just off the M5, a mile from Bristol’s large out-of-town shopping mall, Cribbs Causeway and a short drive (around 15-minutes) or bus ride north of the city centre, Mollie’s Motel provides an ideal base for exploring Bristol.
Its location offers easy access to the city’s major attractions and Cribbs Causeway retail park, and is particularly well-placed if you plan on going to inland surfing lake, The Wave (2.8 miles/11-minutes by car), Aerospace Bristol or Bristol Zoo Project.
Situated outside the city centre means there’s plenty of free parking at this UK Motel. While it’s further away from Bristol’s foodie scene and nightlife, there’s a great American-style diner onsite, which is relaxed and family-friendly. Very welcome if you’ve had a busy day exploring or a long drive.
For me and my three young children, this worked perfectly, as we had spent the day visiting a number of Bristol events and attractions and there’s no way I’d have wanted to take them very far in the evening.
Arrival and first impressions
My three kids and I arrived at Mollie’s Motel Bristol on a hot, sunny July evening after a jam-packed day exploring a number of Bristol attractions, followed by a splash around in the water park at Cribbs. We were quite tired and so the fact that Mollie’s Bristol was really easy to find and easy to park was greatly appreciated. NOT having to use detective-level sleuthing skills to find a parking space and lug our bags for miles was, for me, a parenting win of high proportions.
Mollie’s Bristol has all the hallmarks of a classic American roadside motel and drive-in diner. Growing up on visions of these type of venues in American movies, and with my kids having a fairly healthy American Netflix diet, there’s something undeniably appealing about this concept for us Brits.
The sleek, dark wood cladding of the motel, offsets the striking red neon sign bearing the Mollie’s Motel name, contrasted strikingly by vintage-style, mint green bikes, available to hire at the front door.
The motel reception doubles as the bar and motel lobby, and while there were friendly staff on hand, I wanted to attempt to check-in via the Mollie’s Motel app.
This app lets guests use their smart phone as a contactless room key, motel TV remote, EV charging monitor and food ordering device by linking their booking. For some reason I couldn’t get the app to recognise my booking, so was aided by the staff for check-in and we were given a room key to use instead.
The lobby area oozes Scandi vibes, is welcoming and comfortable, with a leatherette banquette seating area, hanging pendant lights, warm lamp lighting and a dedicated, communal workspace with free superfast WiFi. Guests can also purchase from an array of vibrant, tempting snacks, Cowshed toiletries and cocktails in the island counter, known as the ‘General Store’. There’s also complimentary artisinal coffee made from Mollie’s own award-winning blend (Darkwood – ethically sourced from Brazil, Colombia and India) and a selection of teas.
From the lobby you can access the large, grassy garden area, which has lots of seating available. This was a great space for my kids to let off some after-dinner steam, just bolting round the lawn. Pull up a red pew (and matching parasol), or do as I did, which was grab a glass of wine and head to the large, chunky, wooden seating, which catches the last of the evening summer sun.
The bedrooms
Despite being named as the ‘Best Budget Hotel’ in the Sunday Times Best Places to Stay, nothing about the rooms at Mollies feels ‘cheap’.
As I was staying at the motel by myself with all three kids, I opted for a bunk room, which is much fancier than it sounds, and considering it was quite a narrow room, it didn’t feel poky at all.
High-spec, with a luxe Soho House look, the bedroom featured terrazzo finishes, a power rain shower and large, custom-built bunk beds with crisp white linens built into one wall, making this an exciting and well-equipped space for the four of us.
The kids loved the roomy, stacked beds (complete with Hypnos mattresses I’m told – the same quality of bed as a Soho House room), while my daughter enjoyed the GHD wand and Dyson Supersonic hairdryer.
I appreciated the shelf beside the bed (perfect for balancing a glass of wine) along with delicious-smelling Cowshed toiletries, fluffy towels and a TV, which you can cast to from your Mollie’s app. We all snuggled in our various beds for one of our own movies in the evening. There are also ready-made Mollie’s Spotify playlists to listen to, depending on your mood.
The room was on the ground floor, and had a large window looking out over the garden courtyard, but with a netted curtain for privacy and heavy curtains to block out the light. Tea and coffee were provided in the room (as well as in reception), although instead of a kettle, there is a hot and cold tap further down the corridor for us to make drinks (to reduce energy consumption).
The downside of this does mean, if you want a drink first thing in the morning, you may have to nip down the corridor in your jammies! They suggest taking the tray provided to carry your drinks, although this can be tricky to manoeuvre if you have to go through several heavy-ish doors.
Despite being so close to the motorway, the sound insulation in the bedrooms is very good, so you’re not kept awake for hours at night by passing cars.
Mollie’s Diner
Obviously, as you’re a bit of a way out of the city centre and its plethora of restaurants, one of the highlights of Mollie’s Motel is its onsite dining. Located in a separate, lofty building, just across the driveway, this retro American-style diner is everything my teenage self wanted from a restaurant, and everything the parent in me needs for feeding their offspring.
Think padded dining booths, swivel bar stools and chrome tables, monochrome floor tiles, an all-day menu, fluffy pancakes, waffles and juicy burgers, mini kid-pleasing meals, towering milkshakes, killer cocktails, bottomless coffee, hot wings and squeezy tomato-shaped ketchup dispensers.
We ate one dinner and a breakfast here and found the place had a really nice atmosphere, buzzing with a mix of young families, couples, and larger groups. Sliding doors, which are left open on sunny days lead to an outdoor seating area, with some clearly intentional landscaping. There’s also a range of plant-based dishes on offer, plus a good wine list and ales from Bristol Beer Factory.
In addition to the diner, which closes at 10pm, Mollie’s Motel has a 24-hour bar and lounge area by the reception desk for guests who fancy a nightcap.
Value for money
When I was looking to stay in Bristol, I explored a number of hotel options for myself and the three kids. Knowing we’d mostly be exploring the city during the day, I wanted accommodation that wasn’t too expensive, so I originally looked into staying at places like the Bristol YHA Hostel (a basic room on the Harbourside with four metal bunk beds, and no parking), which came in at around £110 for the four us. Considering the quality of the accommodation and the amenities offered, I thought my stay at Mollie’s Motel for £146 offers excellent value for money.
Room rates are reasonable and competitive for the area, making it an affordable option for guests who want to enjoy a touch of luxury without breaking the bank.
Accessibility
Ground floor rooms at Mollie’s Motel are designed for accessibility, featuring fully adapted showers with grab rails and panic alarms. Interconnecting rooms can work for carers, and the forecourt includes EV charging bays specifically for disabled drivers.
Getting there
If you’re travelling by car, Mollie’s Motel is on the A4018 just off the M5 at Cribbs Causeway (junction 17).
For those arriving by train, Mollie’s is a 10-15 minute taxi/Uber ride from either Bristol Temple Meads or Bristol Parkway stations. Buses 75 and 76 run from the motel to Bristol city centre every 10-12 minutes, though it’s a good idea to check the schedule if you plan to go out in the evening.
Final thoughts on Mollie’s Motel
With its stylish and playful vintage Americana aesthetic, quality bedroom comforts, friendly service, convenient location and free parking, Mollie’s Motel stands out from the typical motorway hotel.
It’s a great, fun choice for anyone planning a family trip to Bristol, or looking for a stopover off the M5 Motorway, or even a solo business trip. It’s particularly handy if you’re visiting Cribbs Causeway, The Wave inland surfing lake or Bristol Zoo Project.
The attention to detail in everything from the luxurious Hypnos mattresses and rain showers to the grassy outdoor space and Cowshed toiletries, elevates the motel’s charm, and the on-site diner, with its retro décor and American fare means it’s likely to be an instant hit for families.
In short, Mollie’s Motel combines style, comfort, and affordability in a way that feels both practical and indulgent. It’s an excellent choice for travellers who want to enjoy a taste of the Soho House experience without the steep price tag.
Staying at Mollie’s Motel
There are currently Mollie’s Motels in Bristol and Oxfordshire, with a third Mollie’s set to open in Manchester at the site of the Old Granada Studios in 2024, alongside the first Soho House in the north. Over the next few years, an additional ten Mollie’s locations are planned to launch across the UK.
Watch my TikTok review of Mollie’s Bristol:
