Chamber conversations: Jane Guy from The Bristol Hotel

At Business West, we’re proud to support a diverse network of businesses and organisations, from ambitious start-ups to established firms and charities, all working to make our region stronger and more connected.

As the festive season approaches, we’re shining a spotlight on one of our Chamber Members whose work plays a vital role in the city’s hospitality and events landscape. We’re pleased to feature The Bristol Hotel as our Chamber Member of the Month, recognising their commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences, supporting local businesses, and contributing to Bristol’s vibrant visitor economy.

My name is Jane Guy, and I am the Director of Sales and Marketing at The Bristol and have been with the hotel for over 23 years. I collaborate closely with our meeting and events and revenue and reservations teams to promote and sell every aspect of the hotel - from corporate business accounts and individual bedrooms to large conferences and dining experiences. My role focuses on building strong relationships with clients and our internal teams, while always seeking new business opportunities. In hospitality, there’s no such thing as a typical day — I might be strategising with the team, hosting a potential client, analysing figures, or giving a hotel tour. Flexibility is key, and it’s what makes every day exciting.

We’re proud to be part of The Doyle Collection, an Irish family-owned luxury hotel group. Located on the waterfront in the heart of the city, The Bristol offers 187 stylish bedrooms and nine versatile meeting and event spaces, including one that accommodates up to 400 guests. The River Grille, our popular on-site restaurant, is a favourite among locals, while Rick’s bar is the perfect spot for expertly crafted cocktails — cosy and inviting in winter, vibrant and lively in summer when the harbourside terrace comes to life. Above all, our passionate team ensures every guest experiences the warmth of true hospitality through creativity, thoughtfulness, and care.

This festive season, we’re delighted to welcome a wonderful mix of guests through our doors — from corporate groups enjoying celebratory lunches and dinners to families gathering before Christmas to spend quality time together. Our menus bring all the traditional flavours of the season to life, while also offering delicious alternatives for those who prefer something less festive. At Rick’s, our festive cocktail menu is designed to capture the spirit of the holidays — don’t miss the Pine Tree Spritz, a true taste of Christmas in a glass!

We’re proud to support our local community throughout the year. This year, our chosen charity is Windmill Hill City Farm. In the New Year, we’ll also make a donation to Tree Aid for every guest attending our Christmas parties by hosting “crackerless” events. Plus, earlier this December, we contributed food to our local food bank to help those in need.

We have been members since before I joined the hotel...and that was over 23 years ago! So, I guess that speaks for itself.

The sense of community is invaluable. It connects you with people across a wide range of sectors, offering a fantastic opportunity to learn about other businesses in the region. You’ll always have someone to call on for advice. Business West is also a powerful voice for the region, influencing future city growth, funding, and investment.

Just go ahead and do it! Once you have started to be part of it, you will see the benefits and remain as committed as us.