Aztec Hotel & Spa

The Aztec is located in a super convenient position – literally less than 5 mins from the M4 / M5 interchange, you can’t miss the place. With its own grounds off the road, coaches can pull up directly outside the entrance to the hotel making easy access to the hotel

Bedrooms: It’s worth pointing out that the majority of bedrooms have been freshly renovated with only a few left to do. We stayed in a suite on this occasion which, as you would expect, was spacious with a very large bathroom containing twin sinks, separate shower and bath. The Signature bedrooms are spacious, contemporary with a very cool curved sofa and very tastefully decorated. We loved them! The rooms have a large flat screen TV, desk with a lovely bathroom with a large standalone shower and some also have baths as well. The bedrooms here are pretty much perfect for both corporate and leisure guests.

Number of bedrooms: 128 (including 4 suites) and there is a further 36 rooms at the hotel's sister property (Lodge at Bristol) located 20 yards across the road

Number of floors: 3

Wi-fi: Yes, free wi-fi throughout the hotel and conference rooms, which worked really well. There is also the option to have secured internet and if required the broadband width can be increased as well. In the largest meeting space (The Cotswold Suite) there is also the possibility to install a hardwire which is great for hybrid conferences etc.

Business Centre: Yes, on the first floor

RESTAURANTS & BARS
The bar in the hotel is situated on the ground floor next to reception and is really nice, benefitting from a recent refurbishment with plenty of different seating options and a roaring open fire. We were lucky enough to take lunch here and it was absolutely delicious, with very nice service too.

The Curious Kitchen
Headed up by Head Chef, Aaron Marsh and Exec Head Chef, Marc Payne the restaurant proudly boasts two AA Rosettes of which the hotel is very proud of, and with good reason. Masses of natural light and a very high ceiling with gorgeous, exposed beams, it had lots of assorted styles of tables - booths, long tables, high tables with stools etc, including seating outside for the summer months. A maximum of 120 covers was available in the restaurant and 40 outside on the terrace

There was also a private dining room which can seat up to 38 diners in a hollow square configuration - it also had lots of natural daylight and was adjoined to a nice courtyard which could be used in nice weather conditions. This really would be a superb place to take your group as part of your meeting.

During our meal, Exec Head Chef, Marc Payne came to see us and talk us through the menu, this was a fantastic touch and the demonstrated the hotel’s passion for the restaurant and the food it served. The meal was delicious by the way – we can’t wait to go back!

The Conference Café
This is a fantastic pre-function area for all delegates to use – there’s free flowing freshly brewed coffee & tea, a multitude of biscuits, fruit and healthy snacks. With popcorn, freshly squeezed smoothies and juices as well. We love this concept and judging by the way it was being used during the review, the delegates seemed to love it too.

The Black Sheep
Situated 20 yards away, just across the road from the main hotel is The Black Sheep, which offers a cosy and intimate space that although its separate from the hotel, all the food served there is prepared by the Curious Kitchen team – thus giving guests & delegates a different option for food but still with the very high standards of the main hotel restaurant. It is worth noting that this venue can be hired for private functions too.

Fitness gym: Yes, the hotel has a fantastic gym – with lots of free weights and Techno Gym cardio equipment with built in internet and social media networks for you to browse whilst you workout – we loved this!! It was really good – definitely one of the better gyms I’ve used in hotels over the years!

Spa: Yes, including jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. Treatments were also available with 3 private treatment rooms, complete with a relaxing lounge area for guests to wind down, after a long day. Watch this space for an exciting expansion coming soon too.

Swimming Pool: Yes, a fab heated indoor pool which included the use of the steam room, sauna and jacuzzi. This is a really lovely place to be and very relaxing, with lots of comfortable chairs in which to relax. It’s worth pointing out that the swimming pool has two times throughout the day that are adults only, to ensure a relaxing feel when visiting on a spa day. This is a great and thoughtful touch.

MEETING ROOMS
The Aztec really comes into its own with its meeting spaces. This purpose built conference hotel has plenty of different options depending on the size of your meeting. From 220 to 4, there is a perfect space for you. Combining practical and stylish meeting rooms, you really can’t go wrong here.

The biggest room (The Cotswold Suite) has its own private entrance to the right of the main hotel entrance, and for your conference, one of the hotel team would be located to point your delegates in the right direction to the room. Great service and I think it’s always nice to be greeted on your arrival to any meeting.

LOADING / UNLOADING
The Aztec has excellent loading facilities; this will be great news for your AV suppliers! With double door access directly from the car park into the Cotswold Suite, your suppliers will be able to bring their equipment straight in without any problem at all.

Meet In Pods
These are one of my favourite features we’ve seen in any hotel – we absolutely love them! These semi-private areas offer flexible working space, or a place for a last minute meeting. They are cost effective and an innovative ‘halfway house’ between a traditional meeting room and a hotel lobby with on-tap refreshments of the Conference Cafe. Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended.

Cotswold Suite
This is the biggest room in the hotel and is perfect for a multitude of events – from conferences to gala dinners, awards ceremonies, weddings and Christmas parties – this room is perfect. Easy access and benefits from its own entrance and private foyer area outside the room for registration and coffee breaks etc. This meeting space offers great flexibility as it can be split into two self contained rooms (Cotswold 1 & 2) or opened fully as the Cotswold suite. Another terrific addition is the facility to run a hybrid meeting from this room with super fast hardwire connections available. It was set up for such a meeting during our visit and it offers great flexibility with colour changing lighting to accent your brand’s colours.

Cotswold Suite
Natural light: Yes
Size: 233 Sq.M
Theatre: 200
Classroom: 120
Cabaret: 128
Dinner: 200
Location: Ground floor
AV Equipment included: Large flat screen TV

Cotswold I
Natural light: Yes
Size: 111 Sq.M
Theatre: 100
Classroom: 50
Cabaret: 56
U-shape: 40
Location: Ground floor
AV Equipment included: Large flat screen TV

Cotswold 2
Natural light: Yes
Size: 121 Sq.M
Theatre: 100
Classroom: 50
Cabaret: 56
U-shape: 40
Location: Ground floor
AV Equipment included: Large flat screen TV

Culbone Suite:
This is the second largest meeting room in the hotel and is located on the first floor, just up the stairs from the reception area. Located next to the excellent Conference Café area, this is an excellent space and benefits from excellent pre-function areas with lots of tempting treats available during coffee breaks and lunches etc. Perfect for large training sessions, private dinners and seminars. Again, it offers great flexibility with colour changing lighting to accent your brand’s colours.

Natural light: Yes
Size: 102 Sq.M
Theatre: 80
Classroom: 40
Cabaret: 46
Dinner: 72
U-shape: 36
Boardroom: 36
Location: First floor
AV Equipment included: Large flat screen TV

Meeting Rooms / Boardrooms
The hotel has numerous smaller meeting spaces too for breakout sessions, boardroom meetings, interviews and more – lots of flexibility. Included in these smaller rooms are two that are slightly different, and we love them. Rooms 9 & 10 both offer something different and quirky in the way of a totally relaxed and unconventional meeting rooms that contain alternative seating, bean bags, easy chairs, click share facilities, interactive training screens – all in all, they offer a totally unique way to hold a meeting. Perfect for brain storming, directors away day etc and very much a space for creative thinking. Fantastic.