I had dinner at a revamped seafront pub near Bristol and stayed the night to try the breakfast

I could have got the bus home to Bristol after dinner but the prospect of a good night’s sleep followed by a cooked breakfast with a sea view was far too tempting.

Portishead landmark The Royal Inn reopened in August after several months of closure and a six-figure investment by the Chef & Brewer Collection (part of Greene King).

Dating from 1830, this Portishead pub-with-rooms is at the far end of the marina and overlooks the Bristol Channel.

When I arrived, a huge car carrier vessel called Morning Cornet was gliding through the calm sea in front of the pub, having just left Portbury.

After checking into my room and heading down to the bar, the lights of Portbury and Avonmouth twinkled in the distance as dusk fell on the Bristol Channel.

There were a surprising number of people still drinking on the terrace, some wrapped in blankets to keep the autumn chill at bay, but all holding out for that last alfresco drink before the clocks change.

In the far distance, the two Severn bridges and the silhouettes of the Black Mountains in Wales formed a dramatic backdrop to my pre-meal pint.

It was only a Monday evening and The Royal Inn was surprisingly busy, but apparently it has been like that since they opened the doors two months ago.

The bar area has increased in size and the pub’s garden terrace has been completely revamped with an outdoor bar on the decking and an external fire place for those colder evenings.

Inside, the restaurant has been revamped, too, and it’s a spacious but still cosy setting to enjoy a meal.

The menu includes pub classics like pies, burgers and fish and chips, but also more ambitious main courses such as pan-fried sea bass fillets and seared scallops with pea, mint and courgette risotto.

I went for the 28-day-aged sirloin steak (£19.49) which was beautifully cooked - medium-rare as requested - and topped with a puck of herb butter and served with a rocket and cucumber salad, grilled half tomato and chips.

Many of the ten bedrooms at The Royal Inn are named after Bristol Channel landmarks, including Tusker Rock and Flat Holm.

My room didn’t have a sea view but it was really quiet, incredibly comfortable and I could still smell the ‘newness’ - although the rooms have been pretty much booked since they reopened the hotel, my room looked as if I was the first guest, which is a compliment for the housekeeping staff.

There was a green-tiled bathroom with a rainfall shower, huge wardrobes, complimentary bottles of mineral water and tea and coffee. It also had a large TV and strong wi-fi signal, ideal for those guests who still need to check their emails.

Breakfast is served in the restaurant, allowing guests to enjoy their Full English or smashed avocado on toast at tables looking out to sea.

The Full English (£10.50) comprises two rashers of back bacon, two Cumberland sausages, fried egg (they can be poached or scrambled if you prefer), hash brown, pan-fried mushrooms, baked beans, grilled tomato, toasted bloomer and butter.

It was an excellent breakfast, especially the quality of the bacon and sausages, and it rounded off a thoroughly enjoyable stay.

It may have only been a whistlestop visit and only a short bus trip from home but I returned feeling genuinely relaxed and rejuvenated. Next time, I may even invite the family.

Mark Taylor was a guest of The Royal Inn in Portishead, which has doubles from £108 and bookings can be made here.