Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath
We stayed at this glorious hotel over the first week of October – Bath was at its best in the late afternoon light as we pulled into the Crescent and handed across our keys to the ‘Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa’ concierge. Our luggage was whisked off to our room while we checked in, seated in the muted soft relaxing decor of the welcome room that over looked the crescent and park. A charming lady on the front desk with a delightful smile and ‘nothing was too much trouble’ attitude had us unwinding already. She escorted us to our room behind the crescent on the other side of the hotels stunning ‘hidden’ garden, pointing out the Bath House, restaurant and bar. Our room was one floor up and as the door was thrown open, lovely vases of flowers (deep red roses), an exotic fruit bowl, filter coffee (or Espresso), or lovely Ronnefeldt tea and a box of the most divine chocolates greeted us.
We had booked a suite and it was comfortably spacious with a beautiful stone balustrade balcony overlooking the garden back towards the crescent entrance and an (not required, on this particular occasion), very attractive fireplace filled with fir cones giving the appearance of a cosy home. We had two days here and you really need it – not just because there is so much to see in Bath, but because just within the environs of the Royal Crescent Hotel there is so much to do. The Spa was fabulous and had been recently re-done in an old building with the lovely Bath soft yellow ochre sandstone, surrounding the pool. Everything was spotless, with all the facilities you could wish for. The massage (pre-booked and definitely worth thinking ahead on) was heavenly and there is an overwhelming choice of treatments. But the highlight for a foodie is the divine breakfast – just order eggs Benedict and you won’t regret it! – (and try the Dragon fruit!) I cannot remember ever leaving a hotel after two days feeling so relaxed. The decor has a burled grey theme running through it which is incredibly calming, nothing is ‘too clever’ – the shower simple to work and excellent, a normal key for the room – not an impersonal plastic card! – and interesting furnishings – the ice-cube chandelier in the dining room, beautiful Bath glass, stunning gladioli in the entrance to the bar and dining area, but nothing to jar the relaxed atmosphere – just an interesting mix of modern and classic that echoed and complimented our trip to a city full of history and chic.
To escape the city of London and really feel you have ‘got away from it all’ it is unlikely that there can be a better way than just described. The Royal Crescent is so near the hub of the town, yet so peaceful that you get the best of both worlds, the adventure of exploring – seeing the hot springs bubbling up at the Roman Baths, wandering into the stunning Abbey and then enjoying the excellent retail therapy and all this is just a stone’s throw from the famous Crescent and your hotel.
