The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath

Elegant, genteel and quintessentially English, Bath is an enchanting counterpoint to the cosmopolitan frenzy of London, and nowhere captures the city’s perennial charm better than The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. Check in for a couple of days’ indulgent R&R, or stay for a week to delve deeper into the rich history and lush landscapes of Somerset.

Location

As the name implies, the property is perched atop Bath’s splendid Royal Crescent, the city’s most iconic address. The Crescent offers sweeping views across the city and out toward the rolling Somerset hills beyond. The ancient Roman baths and Jane Austen’s beloved Pump Room are a 15-minute downhill stroll. Bath itself is easily reached by train or car from London, and is a perfect base for exploring nearby Stonehenge, Salisbury and the Cotswolds, or even as a stop-off en route to the coasts and countryside of Cornwall & Devon.

Your Room

The hotel’s 45 suites and rooms are spread across two Georgian townhouses facing the Crescent, and three further houses across the gardens (where you’ll also find the spa and restaurant). Each room has views over the Crescent, the immaculate gardens, or Bath’s ubiquitous honey-coloured stone buildings. After a full refurbishment in 2014, the rooms retain all their period feel but without a hint of chintz.  Fabrics are sumptuous, robes fluffy and beds divine. For a personalized touch, instead of room numbers, the staff here write guests’ names on the guestroom door nameplates. We especially loved the complimentary tea menu left in each room – instead of fiddling with the kettle, ring downstairs and they’ll happily send up a pot of your favorite blend. Just as Miss Austen herself would have expected.

Why we like it

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa strikes a perfect balance between country getaway and city splurge – you can cozy up by the fire in the library in winter, take tea in the garden in summer, and still walk to a host of delightful restaurants and shops. The atmospheric spa is an unexpected highlight, complete with heated pool & hot-tub, steam room, sauna and an extensive treatment menu. The restaurant is excellent; don’t miss the savory-focused afternoon tea. For added panache, the concierge can even magic up a luxury picnic to linger over on the immaculate Royal Crescent lawn.