Architecturally vintage and atmospherically eccentric, these are the best boutique hotels in Bath, England
Georgian architecture and Roman baths aren't the only things we love about Bath.
From the London to Edinburgh, Brighton to the Lake District, the best boutique hotels in the United Kingdom offer the chance to step back in time and relax in stunning surroundings. An idyllic setting for a holiday to remember, Bath is a lively English city famous for its Roman Baths, spectacular scenery, easy-going vibes, and buzzing food scene. For tourists wanting to explore the city’s many marvels, a stay in one of the best boutique hotels in Bath is an unforgettable affair.
The best boutique hotels in Bath
1. No.15 Guest House
A second renovation within a decade hasn’t deterred No.15 from charming travellers wishing to stay in the centre of the city’s grandest street, the Great Pulteney. Under the new management of HouseGuest Hotels, owned by three brothers, the hotel’s 37 bedrooms take up space across three six-storey townhouses with original Georgian features. Moreover, the refurbishment gave the hotel a unique, more unconventional temperament, crafted beautifully by interior designer Martin Hulbert.
Inside the property, guests witness the quirky and classic side of Englishness. On the one hand, the rooms, each different in décor, feature country-like king-size beds and plush sofas within a moderated colour scheme that’s muted and soothing. Simultaneously, these spaces come with novel furnishings like glass-top side tables, elegant chandeliers, and accent backdrops such as drapes painted on a wall or a background resembling a book page.
In our book though, No. 15 Guest House gets to be among the best boutique hotels in Bath for their passionate courtesy towards kids and pets. While adults love the Nespresso machines and turntables in the rooms, kids can play around in a mini-tent or borrow a polaroid camera to capture the city from their creative perspective.
Learn more about No.15 Guest House
2. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
The landmark building of The Royal Crescent Hotel boasts a 250-year-old legacy. Consisting of two townhouses and over an acre of open garden space, the hotel’s sheer grandness first captures the eye and imagination of every visiting guest. The Royal Crescent’s imposing staircase, aesthetically decorated common lounges, and art pieces interspersed throughout the property give the hotel a refined charm. Finally elevating The Royal Crescent to a position among the best boutique hotels in Bath is the in-house Dower House restaurant under chef Martin Blake, and The Montagu Bar, an all-day casual dining affair.
The rooms at this heritage hotel are equally responsible for its lasting popularity among avid travellers to the city. The hotel’s 45 bedrooms and 11 suites, designed by Jane Clayton from Clayton & Co., offer splendid city views from intimate spaces that mix the contemporary with the classic.
We particularly found the use of period-style furniture, contrasting prints, muted colour schemes, and rich fabrics in the rooms inspiring. Moreover, the hand-written notes from the staff add a personal touch to every stay, making every guest feel special and welcomed.
Read our full review on The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa.
Discover more about The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
3. The Yard in Bath
The Yard is a former 18th-century coaching inn turned into a stylish residence with a vintage appeal. The 14-room property surrounds a courtyard that is the perfect place for an eventful drinking session, especially on warm summer afternoons.
Rooms at The Yard are an amalgamation of fashionable amenities and historical features. Standalone bathtubs, fireplaces, and restful English décor go hand-in-hand with rain showers, Netflix, Nespresso machines, and Roberts Radios. Furthermore, breakfast at the hotel is a laidback occurrence. You can either go to the self-service breakfast room or request a hamper featuring curated artisanal treats.
We particularly adore that first-time hoteliers Esther Newman and Ed Haskins live on the property in room number 14. This leads to The Yard having a homely bed and breakfast like atmosphere rather than the by-the-book temperament of a standard hotel. Of course, Esther and Ed’s responsibility towards sustainable living, seen in eco-friendly bathroom products and milk in glass bottles, is noteworthy too.
Learn more about The Yard in Bath
4. The Queensberry Hotel
Independently owned by Laurence and Helen Beere, The Queensberry Hotel occupies four Georgian townhouses near the central shopping district. It’s counted among the best boutique hotels in Bath for providing remarkably personalised service and having the only Michelin starred restaurant in the city.
The 29 rooms of The Queensberry do not follow a common theme. Instead, the presence of unique furniture pieces, gentle yet experimental colour themes, fantastic use of textures in furnishing, and all-around openness give them an attractive personality. At the same time, en-suite bathrooms, TVs, DAB radios, comfortable sofas, and WiFi cater to the needs of a present-day traveller.
Of course, no stay at The Queensberry is complete without a meal at the award-winning Olive Tree. While the restaurant does offer an a la carte menu, its seasonal tasting menus are gastronomically divine.
Find out more about The Queensberry Hotel
5. The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Set in two Grade II listed buildings dating back to the 1800s, The Gainsborough is more than just one of the best boutique hotels in Bath. A stay here is an opportunity to rejuvenate the mind and appreciate the city’s legendary status as a spa retreat. The hotel has exclusive access to natural thermal waters and epitomises elegant luxury, evident through its chic rooms, casual restaurant, and spa village. The latter especially helps pamper the body, mind, and soul with its ice alcove, infrared sauna, steam room, aromatherapy, and various Asian spa treatments.
A project completed by the New York-based interior firm Champalimaud Design, there exists a sense of underrated originality in every nook and corner of The Gainsborough. From the trims of the blackout curtains to the trendy bedside tables, a far cry from the usual boxy designs, the hotel’s rooms are a lesson in well-thought extravagance.
While there are plenty of accommodation options at The Gainsborough, we cannot get enough of their Bath Spa Room. A beautiful room with modern facilities, its highlight is the roll-top bathtub with direct access to healing thermal waters.
Learn more about The Gainsborough Bath Spa
6. The Bird
It seems nothing is unimaginable at The Bird, one of the most vibrant boutique hotels in Bath. The allure of this eclectic abode is in its deep-rooted connection with the city as well as its over-the-top identity that it unabashedly displays with much elan.
The Bird’s novelty is most evident in its 31 bedrooms, each boasting a distinctive style and arrangement. Featuring vivid headboards and wallpapers, striking art – imagine a collection of ties displayed on handrails over the bed, freestanding copper tubs, walk-in showers, WiFi, Nespresso machines, and more, the rooms here have a charismatically un-hotel-like disposition.
Furthermore, food is an integral part of all the properties under the Kaleidoscope Collection, and The Bird strengthens that notion. The hotel’s Plate Restaurant serves delectable seasonal recipes, whereas The Lodge has a Swiss chalet-like appearance where one can enjoy an informal meal. Guests looking for a unique experience should book the hotel’s dining domes, a private space for groups of 4 to 8 to enjoy lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner.
For us, it’s the eccentric ambience of the hotel in general, a reflection of the owners, Ian and Christa Taylor’s décor philosophy, that has us falling in love with The Bird. However, our favourite spot on the property is the animated bird-themed lounge with glorious chandeliers and a large, cheeky painting of a cat on the centre wall.
Explore more about The Bird Bath
7. Lucknam Park
A Palladian mansion from the 1720s, set inside a 500-acre private parkland, a vacation at Lucknam Park is about experiencing the many joys of palatial living. Nearby Wiltshire, and six miles from Bath, the former residence now welcomes guests to stay in one of its beautifully curated 43 rooms, 13 suites, and five country cottages. Lucknam Park is also an equestrian centre with 35 horses, making it an ideal destination for a horse-riding break.
In tune with its setting and legacy, the rooms are Lucknam Park have authentic countryside interiors. Vintage furniture, large four-poster beds, classic English furnishings, carpets, and desks give the abodes a homely yet stately feel. However, the rooms are not devoid of modern-day conveniences. Thus, WiFi, TVs, digital radios, 24-hour room service, and en-bathrooms are common features. If travelling in a larger group, opt for the stone-built cottage that offers a fully-functional kitchen, conservatory, and private garden or terrace.
Dining at Lucknam Park is no less than an event. On Friday and Saturday, guests can enjoy the very best of delicately prepared recipes at the Michelin star winning Restaurant Hywel Jones. For something a little more casual, there is the Brasserie. You can sit in your bathrobes at this bright and airy café that serves seasonal dishes like wood-fired pizzas, salads, grilled meats, and yummy desserts.
Find out more about Lucknam Park
8. Homewood
When it comes to running some of the best boutique hotels in Bath, seasoned proprietors Ian and Christa Taylor know the business like the back of their hands. More importantly, they have perfected the art of individualism, making sure that each of their properties is distinct in its appearance and character.
Homewood is a 21-room residence situated in the Avon Valley amidst the rolling beauty of the English countryside. The hotel’s uniqueness shines through its fanciful facilities like the heated swimming pool or a free-to-use Porsche EV charging station. Then there is the dynamic, almost borderline avant-garde art and décor that gives the entire place, especially each room, a separate identity. Dyson hairdryers, Smeg coffee machines, large comfortable beds, designer lamps, bold coloured furnishings, and views of the garden or Somerset hills further enhance the aesthetics of the rooms, creating a restful place to lay your head.
Our pick for a stay at Homewood is their Hot Tub Suite with a private terrace and… a hot tub. Also, a laidback lunch or dinner in their barbeque dining domes is an unmissable gastronomic indulgence while you’re there.
Learn more about Homewood
9. The Pig near Bath
The Pig near Bath promises a back-to-the-basics rustic escape, where good healthy food and the idea of being amongst the attractiveness of nature is no longer a dream but a reality. Situated close to the Mendip Hills, the country house is a celebration of sustainability. It will appeal specifically to avid epicures looking for a culinary break.
The highlight of a stay at The Pig near Bath is their food philosophy. The hotel plates delicious seasonal recipes, traditional and contemporary, made using produce from their kitchen garden. Or else, they follow the 25-mile rule, buying ingredients from local farmers within a 25-mile radius. Often cooked in a wood-fired oven, the menu changes daily based on the day’s foraging finds. Moreover, the hotel raises its own chicken and pigs, keeping the carbon footprint from the meats to a bare minimum.
Styled by interior designer Judy Hutson, the rooms at The Pig have a charming country feel about them. At the same time, they exude contemporary stylishness brought about by their spaciousness and features like walk-in showers. Our room choice from their entire range of abodes is the Apple Store. A cosy two-floor shed near the kitchen garden, previously used to store apples, it comes with a wood-burning stove in the country kitchen and a gorgeous freestanding tub in the bath.
Learn more about The Pig near Bath
10. Hill House Bath
An integral part of the city’s hospitality legacy ever since the 1760s, Hill House is a beautiful townhouse located in the historic centre of Bath. First an inn, then a hotel, and later a vault for wine merchants, the hotel nowadays can accommodate 10 to 16 guests in its seven bedrooms spread across five floors. Five minutes from the Royal Crescent and other popular sights in Bath, Hill House is only a step away from several fantastic restaurants and bars.
A boutique residence steeped in history, Hill House Bath comes equipped with a fully-functional kitchen, two living areas, a dining room, free WiFi, a courtyard, and several authentic Georgian characteristics. At the same time, the bedrooms grant visitors a chance to enjoy modern-day luxuries such as 32” TVs, en-suite showers, carpeting, and colourful accent walls juxtaposing the otherwise classic décor.
A perfect residence for an extended stay in the city, try and pick one of the rooms on the third floor. Unlike the others, they come with spectacular citywide views.
Find out more about Hill House Bath
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