The roadside motel is a well charted piece of infrastructure in the United States, with post-War designs specifically catering to motor vehicles and the freedom of road trips. These same foundations have been converted into chic California motels, creating a new hospitality category: roadside stopovers worth visiting in themselves.

Functional, motel architecture is harder to come by in the United Kingdom where turnpike inns and coach houses predated the connection to motorways. But fortunately motel brand Mollie’s has made a brave foray into this gap in the market, launching their Bristol address near the M4 to pair with a location south of Oxford.

The new-build emulates the motel form, with interiors and 123 rooms designed by Soho House. There are three room categories – Double, Twin, Bunk – each obeying minimalist interior with softening wooden surfaces. Decorations and wall art is restrained, providing ergonomic rooms that work well for families and those looking for a restful stay without the fuss of ornate pillows and elegant rugs. Dyson appliances and Cowshed toiletries introduce a pampered layer and trusted standard.

The dining setup in the adjacent Diner has been pulling a local crowd beyond the guest list at the motel. Expect large shakes, burgers, pancakes and fry-ups – a license to lean into United States cuisine in West England.

A General Store is available to hotel guests for purchasing snacks on-site (there isn’t a nearby store). There is no gym at the hotel. Bike storage is located in a caged shed within the hotel car park, for those coming on two wheels.

Training Notes

Runners and cyclists can use the unexciting Cribb’s Causeway to get out of town of town. Open water swimming is available at West Country Park during summer months, with the nearest indoor swimming pool being Filton – a 25m pool with £10 guest passes.

For Bristol city centre training, coffee shops and restaurants, see our Bristol training notes.

Learn more at mollies.com