Best boutique hotels in Bath 2023: Where to stay for a unique break
Bath, loved for its fine Georgian architecture, Jane Austen and frisky Romans, has a damn fine collection of boutique hotels. Bath’s art and design scene is heaving with talent, and this is merrily reflected in its hefty crop of unique and rather special hotels.
You’ll find Michelin-starred dining, artists in residence and cleverly converted historic properties, many of which are within a couple of minutes’ walk of the city’s main visitor attractions – such as the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, Pulteney Bridge, Bath Abbey and luxury spa. We’ve got you covered if you prefer to be a little further away from the heart of the action too.
Whether you simply want to wander through the beautiful streets of this Unesco World Heritage Site, dubbed as one of the great spa towns of Europe, or are looking for a city break where you can enjoy fine dining and trendy bars, Bath is surely one of the must-visit locations when it comes to travel in England.
The best boutique hotels in Bath are:
Best for food: The Queensberry
Best for location: Eight
Best for art-lovers: Abbey Hotel
Best for celeb-spotting: At the Chapel
Best for hipsters: No. 15
Best for escapism: The Bath Priory
Best for splashing out: The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa
Best for views: The Bird
Best for a country pub vibe: The Methuen Arms
Best for food: The Queensberry
Neighbourhood: City Centre
Creep downstairs at The Queensberry to find the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant. Headed up by Heston Blumenthal protégé Chris Cleghorn, the restaurant serves such fineries as trout with wasabi, apple and dill, along with a sturdy selection for vegetarians and vegans. Upstairs, the amalgamation of four sandy Georgian townhouses on Russel Street has resulted in a stylish and friendly one-off hotel run by husband and wife team Laurence and Helen Beere.
Best for location: Eight
Neighbourhood: City Centre
Less is definitely more at Eight, where guests choose from just 18 rooms and eight dishes in the restaurant. The compact bolthole is just a two-minute walk from the Roman Baths and main shopping drag.
The concept is perfect for anyone bored of exhaustive options, and expertly pushes quality over quantity. Book the spacious deluxe double for a freestanding bath with views out over cobbled streets and, after dark, head to the underground bar for a cosy nightcap.
Best for art-lovers: Abbey Hotel
Neighbourhood: City Centre
With the addition of the Art Bar, the Abbey’s love affair with local talent continues. The bar has evolved into a gallery space-cum-artists’ studio, with rotating collections showcasing local artists, photographers and sculptors. You’ll find paint-splattered tables, “artists in residence” working on site and a cocktail menu inspired by exhibited work.
Read more of our hotel reviews in Bath
Best for celeb-spotting: At the Chapel
Neighbourhood: Bruton
Just south of Bath, a Grade II-listed, 17th-century former chapel has been magnificently transformed into eight bedrooms around a bakery and restaurant. The original chapel was built on ley lines, which some believe have the magical power of bringing people together. Breakfast in the almost impossibly light-filled restaurant-cum-workspace, or enjoy croissants brought straight from the bakery to your door each morning, to get your day off to the perfect start.
Best for hipsters: No. 15
Neighbourhood: City Centre
Quintessential Bath meets Marie Kondo’s worst nightmare. From the chandelier made of single lost earrings to Natwest pigs, kaleidoscopes and larders bursting with sweets, fizzy drinks and ice cream, No. 15 is perfect for those who baulk at identikit minimalism. Made up of three Grade I townhouses, the 37-room hotel is laden with unexpected visual treats, such as the fragments of Georgian wallpaper visible in Bar 15. Special night? Book the Hideout Suite, which has its own hot tub, dressing room andâ Sonos system.
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Best for escapism: The Bath Priory
Neighbourhood: City Centre
If you want to escape the city without actually escaping the city, the Bath Priory, a sprawling 19th-century building (once part of Bath Abbey), is far from the maddening crowds and right next to lovely Victoria Park. Room interiors evoke a grand country house and look over the property’s four acres, including its perfectly preened gardens. Need a shoulder rub? The Provence-inspired Garden Spa by L’Occitane features an indoor heated swimming pool with a poolside sauna and steam pod.
Best for splashing out: The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa
Neighbourhood: City Centre
Ensconced on Bath’s most show-stopping street (seen on many a BBC period drama), the 45-room Royal Crescent is the place to push the boat out. Head to the spa for a bespoke Elemental Herbology treatment, or take al fresco afternoon tea or bubbly at Theâ Montagu Bar and Champagne Lounge. Meanwhile, enjoy the wonderful views over Bath and the surrounding hills.
Best for views: The Bird
Neighbourhood: City Centre
Chandeliers, pink walls and artfully poised taxidermy: the vibe at The Bird is distinctly cheeky. It’s an impressive Victorian villa with 31 bedrooms, and one real plus point is that there is plenty of car parking, a rarity in Bath, not to mention some stupendous views over Bath Abbey and beyond. Formerly The County Hotel Bath, The Bird is now owned by Ian and Christa Taylor, whose Bath hotel mini-empire also includes Homewood.
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Best for a country pub vibe: The Methuen Arms
Neighbourhood: Corsham
In the village of the moment, Corsham, this hotel has 19 rooms with sleek interiors and original features: think timber flooring, exposed stone walls and country hues. In the dining room, the “nose to tail” philosophy means no stones are left unturned when it comes to crafting the comforting menu: all vegetables and herbs are grown in the kitchen’s own garden, too. For anyone wanting hearty fodder and the ability to flop into a cloud-like bed just seconds later, The Methuen Arms is that place.
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