Following in the illustrious wake of Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady and Resilient Lady, Brilliant Lady has taken to the seas. She made a fleeting call in Portsmouth to show off the subtle yet imaginative differences to her sisters before heading to New York. Take a whirlwind visit.
Swinging seaside…a Slightly Smaller Balcony Cabin with twin hammock seats
Brilliant Lady is all but identical on the outside to Virgin Voyages’ other three ships but has tantalising differences, some influenced by the fact that she’ll be sailing to cooler climes – not least, Alaska – and the on-deck beach club atmosphere has needed to be refined. There’s been a slight rejig to allow the ship to pass through the Panama Canal, introducing ‘Slightly Smaller Balcony Cabins’, no chairs but a couple of Virgin’s scarlet hammocks.
The new-look Roundabout, a great place to chill
For all the signature silvery grey dotted with red, Brilliant Lady is somehow cosier, with warmer colours. That’s immediately evident at the Roundabout, the heart of all Virgin Voyages’ ships, the areas on each level around the big, spiral staircase. It all gets a colourful reimagining and the vinyl record store, often with a DJ at the turntable, has moved elsewhere. That leaves more room for comfy seating, turning it all into a multi-level bar and sitting room that flows into the rest of the ship.
The Athletic Club, better views, better seats
On deck, the Athletic Club, actually a largely open-air bar, has been redesigned to open up the views for the dramatic new sailings. It gets bigger seats, glass-panelled rails and outward facing day beds – there are plenty of warm days even in Alaska, and never-ending scenery which often features bears on the wilderness beaches, so always something to look out for.
Rojo, for a contemporary taste of Spain
Virgin Voyages’ commendable concept that all food (apart from a few special dishes here and there) is free, remains. There’s still no main dining room, instead a tantalising list of smaller, speciality restaurants – the big change is that vibrant, modern Razzle Dazzle has been replaced by the contemporary subdued comfort of Spanish tapas-and-more Rojo. The venue still serves Razzle Dazzle’s vegetarian-leaning cuisine by day but, come evening, there are starters such as olive confit octopus on a bed of brown butter potato fondue, plus dishes alive with almonds, chorizo, olives and dates.
Plenty of other places to eat, too, including the open-air Dock (and its indoors area, Dock House) at the rear of the ship, with a new small-plate grill menu. And The Wake, a grand steakhouse by night, but don’t forget the all-included brunch… plenty of posh eggy dishes (Benedict with soft shell crab), although I had the clam chowder. Err, accompanied by a couple of deliciously sweet churros! What’s also promised is Passport to Flavour, an event taking over the Galley buffet, celebrating the tastes of the US homeports, such as arepas (savoury South American flatbreads) from Miami and cedar smoked salmon from Seattle.
All at C… clam chowder and churros in The Wake!
Murder in The Manor
Duel Reality, Virgin’s trademark show, a high-wire, pole-climbing, leaping, gymnastic take on West Side Story is still here in the dramatic Red Room, a massive space that converts from theatre of gymnasium to dancehall. A dramatic new show is Out Of Time, following Dr Victoria Vortex’s out-of-whack time machine through music, dance and acrobatic cavemen. Meanwhile, Red Hot turns five decades of Virgin Records into a lively musical, mixing modern staging, historic imagery and a live band.
And, with Brilliant Lady readying to sail to Alaska and other spots less balmy than Virgin’s usual Caribbean and Med destinations, the Red Room now prepares to take over from the poolside for more nighttime party fun, with a giant inflatable octopus overseeing proceedings.
Big news is The Manor, a glitzy nightclub venue that’s reborn as a cool supper club. I saw Murder In The Manor, a madcap disco and dance take on those friendly TV crime capers, with a music star haunting and taking revenge on those responsible, so very unlike the entertainment on most cruise lines.
Another new Manor offering is Up With a Twist, a dinner-time entertainment, set in Lady Valentina’s Emporium of Excess with music – and excess – down the years. And on its way is The Diva Goes West, a country-themed drag show led by the ship’s towering drag queen, Dixie Krystals.
The once-a-cruise Scarlet Night extravaganza of food, drink and entertainment is prepared to come indoors for colder climes, taking over the Red Room, which also has a revamp of its own dance party, including trapeze and gymnastic acts overhead.
Trapeze at the Red Room party
Everyone gets a leg… a twin helping of octopus in Rojo
Brilliant Lady has departed Britain to spend early autumn sailing the east coast of the US and Canada, moving on to Miami for a Caribbean winter. She passes through the Panama Canal for a touch of America’s west coast then, from May, a summer with Alaskan voyages from Seattle and Vancouver.
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Hort’s Townhouse is on Broad Street a cobbled road in the very centre of Bristol’s old town. It is one of the four original streets dating back to Saxon times that were to become the nucleus of the city of Bristol.
This throbbing heart of the city surrounds the famous floating harbour, now converted to a fabulous tourist attraction. The hotel is close to St Nicholas Market inside and around The Exchange and featuring a large range of independent retailers and The Glass Arcade, where food outlets abound.
The 18th-century Grade II listed building that houses Hort’s Townhouse has seen many changes. Originally built as a house, it also served as an auctioneer’s office and warehouse. It is named after Sir Arthur Fenton Hort, author, schoolmaster and gardener who once owned this property. In 1922, it became home to the Exchange Dining Rooms, established on Wine Street by the caterers in the Hort family and later relocated to their premises on Broad Street. In those days, it was the most fashionable restaurant in Bristol. It is said to have been the first place in the city to mix cocktails.
Inside Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Berni Inn (the steakhouse chain that originated in Bristol) bought the building in 1943. Since the Berni Inn was sold, Hort’s Townhouse has had a variety of owners and been used as a pub with a cinema and a popular sports bar. It was acquired by Young & Co in 2022, who decided to honour its history with a total refurbishment in the style of the Roaring Twenties. This has proved to be a great success.
Decor at Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Comfortable and convenient for couples and solo travellers. Visitors for leisure or business enjoy the good location and the cosy spaces to relax over a drink. The addition of a lift to this old building makes it accessible for all. The hotel is also dog-friendly, with rooms suitable for pets as well.
Nineteen boutique bedrooms occupy two floors above the pub and dining area. There is a lift to the first floor so these rooms are accessible to everyone. Some of the rooms are designated pet-friendly (additional charge). All the rooms have been individually designed and include little luxuries that make a stay at Hort’s Townhouse special.
These include a sweet treat and a miniature bottle of port on arrival and a generous basket of snacks, and a well-stocked honesty mini-bar. There are toiletries by Bramley. Each room is unique and makes the best of the irregular shapes and sizes of this historic old building. Every room features a Nespresso coffee machine and a dedicated working space.
Cosy Rooms are the smallest rooms but still large enough for a comfortable stay for solo travellers or a couple. Next in size are the Boutique rooms. Some of these can be booked together for families or small groups. The Boutique Twin and Bigger Boutique offer more space, room for cots and sofa beds so ideal for small families. For those who like something different there is The Loft, accessed by its own stairway and the Feature Boutique. This is a one-of-a-kind room with large windows, high ceilings and views of Bristol Guildhall across the road. It can accommodate pets and children.
Boutique Twin at Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Although the bar and dining area are open plan, there are secluded areas and quiet corners all delightfully furnished in the Art Deco style with a sprinkling of Asian artefacts. Paintings on every wall reflect the mood of the period. Patrons will be delighted by the well-stocked bar which is open all day.
Breakfast at Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
Diners have the choice of a good range of delicious dishes on the a la carte menu, and special seasonal offers are also available sometimes. Their signature dish, The Showstopper (slow-cooked feather blade, red wine, rosemary, bone marrow) is a gorgeous mix of luscious meat, short-crust pastry, fluffy mash and fresh greens and will satisfy the hearty appetite but is sufficient for two with smaller appetites. Breakfast is a combination of a cold buffet and a choice of cooked meals, including poached eggs on avocado toast and a full English.
Signature Beef Pie at Hort’s Townhouse in Bristol
There is free WiFi throughout the hotel. This hotel does not have any parking but there are car parks nearby. However, the excellent location, good public transport with stops close to the hotel and the proximity of Temple Meads Railway Station and Bristol Airport means a car could be more of a hindrance than a benefit here
How much
Early bird cosy room for 2 adults (no meals included) start at £106.20
It is a short walk from the hotel to the Harbourside of Bristol’s floating harbour, which offers a full day’s worth of interesting attractions. Beautifully laid out, the Aquarium features tropical plants, huge tanks and several pools. Feeding time here is a chance to learn more about the fish, especially the various species of sharks.
We The Curious is good for some fun, and adults will find this just as absorbing as children do, with puzzles to solve and cartoon characters to create. Boat trips are available through the various canals linked to the floating harbour,and the SS Great Britain is a major attraction here. However, to learn more about the history of Bristol and its people, head to M Shed. Entrance is free, and the linked galleries and heavy (still operational) machinery outside explore various aspects of this fascinating city.
M Shed on the Harbourside in Bristol
Bristol famous for its events, including the annual Balloon Festival. This year saw the addition of a new event, Cider Week where Participating pubs offered a variety of ciders and offered tastings before investing in a pint of one’s favourite.
To find out more about Bristol’s festivals, check Visit Bristol.
VERDICT: Stunning rooms and cosy restaurant and bar. Ideal location for exploring the old town and the Harbourside of Bristol on foot. Close to good public transport links, including a regular bus service to Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station and Bristol Airport.
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