The Best Boutique Hotels to Book in Bath

Escape to Bath for beautiful views and endless culture
Escape to Bath for beautiful views and endless culture | Courtesy of The Royal Crescent Hotel / Booking.com
Sarah Dawson

As one of the UK’s most elegant cities, Bath makes the perfect mini-break destination. There’s so much culture to soak up, from the grand Georgian architecture to the world-class museums and fantastic places to eat and drink – plus many gorgeous green spaces to walk it all off. The city is also home to some fantastic boutique hotels that will keep you within easy reach of all the top attractions. Take a look at some of the best options below – all bookable via Culture Trip.

1. Macdonald Bath Spa, for spectacular Georgian architecture

Boutique Hotel

The front lawn and entrance to the Macdonald Bath Spa
Courtesy of Macdonald Bath Spa / Booking.com

Sitting pretty on 7 acres (2.8ha) of private grounds, the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel is a stroll away from historic centre of Bath with its sweeping Georgian architecture and famous Roman baths. One of the most romantic hotels in Bath, the Macdonald has individually furnished rooms with marble bathrooms, while upgraded suites in the Georgian wing include four-poster beds. If you really want to treat yourself, the premium suite comes with a butler service.

2. Bathen House Boutique Hotel, for charming communal spaces

Boutique Hotel

A room at the Bathen House Boutique Hotel with a large bed, a sofa and two armchairs
Courtesy of Bathen House Boutique Hotel / Booking.com

A relatively new kid of the block, Bathen House Boutique Hotel joined the hotel scene in Bath in 2018. Having recently undergone extensive redevelopment, the Edwardian hotel and restaurant offer an impressive range of elegant, luxury hotel rooms and suites with spacious bathrooms, bespoke bedroom furnishings, a large communal lounge and a comfortable orangery dining room – as well as a memorable culinary experience, thanks to its Bouvardia Restaurant.

3. Bailbrook House, for old-fashioned elegance

Boutique Hotel

A room at Bailbrook House with a four-poster bed and a chaise longue
Courtesy of Bailbrook House / Booking.com

One of only two Grade II-listed country-home hotels in Bath, Bailbrook House was once a private residence in the early 1790s. Now a popular boutique hotel that has kept its Georgian country mansion charm, it sits on 20 acres (8ha) of land and has contemporary rooms – some with four-poster beds. The upgraded rooms add artwork, free-standing baths and fireplaces into the mix. When booking you can choose between a woodland or garden view – each as lovely as the other.

5. Combe Grove, for spectacular grounds

Independent Hotel

An outdoor swimming pool at Combe Grove surrounded by sunbeds and parasols
Courtesy of Combe Grove/Hotels.com

Offering an opportunity to really get away from it all, Combe Grove sits on 64 acres (26ha) of verdant land. Just a stone’s throw from Bath, it has stunning views across the Limpley Stoke valley below, making it the perfect setting to rest and restore. The array of spa treatment on offer here certainly helps. Using pure, organic products from the south-west of England with selected medicinal herbs and aromas, every treatment at Combe Grove is tailored to the guest’s personal needs.

6. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, for a Bath institution

Hotel

A sitting area at the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Courtesy of The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa / Booking.com

This five-star hotel is located on one of the most famous crescents in the world – Bath’s Royal Crescent. From the moment you step through the beautiful Georgian doors, you’ll be blown away by the stunning interiors, top-class service and luxurious touches. Explore the tranquil gardens, relax with a book in front of the fire, or treat yourself to an afternoon of pampering in the spa – this hotel is all about making your stay truly unforgettable.

7. The Gainsborough Bath Spa, for an exclusive spa experience

Spa Hotel, Hotel

A dining room at The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Courtesy of The Gainsborough Bath Spa / Booking.com

Right in the heart of Bath, you’ll find the stunning Gainsborough Bath Spa. This luxury hotel, designed by New York-based Champalimaud Design, manages to perfectly combine Georgian details with a modern style to create elegant, relaxing rooms you’ll fall in love with. The spa – Spa Village Bath – is a huge draw here, with exclusive access to the natural thermal, mineral-rich waters the city is famous for. Set beneath a glass atrium inside the hotel, you can make the most of the spa’s facilities, visiting a circuit of natural thermal pools, saunas, a steam room and an ice alcove, before a personalised aromatherapy treatment.

8. The Bath Priory, for a secluded stay

Hotel

A four-posted bed in a room at The Bath Priory
Courtesy of The Bath Priory / Booking.com

The Bath Priory is like the country house of your dreams. This beautiful Georgian house, built from the distinctive honey-coloured Bath stone, is just a short stroll from the city centre and offers a calm, relaxing space to unwind after exploring the sights. Set in 4 acres (1.6ha) of pretty gardens, you’ll feel a million miles away from the city. The hotel boasts the city’s only Michelin star for culinary excellence, so make sure you book a table at the restaurant for a special treat.

9. The Queensberry Hotel, for small-scale character

Hotel

A country-chic ensuite bedroom at the Queensberry Hotel, with patterned wallpaper, a green colour scheme and a fireplace
Courtesy of The Queensberry Hotel / Booking.com

Small, but perfectly formed, the Queensberry Hotel is bursting with character and charm. The hotel is run by husband-and-wife team Laurence and Helen Beere, and you can expect a friendly welcome, excellent service and stylish accommodation in an unbeatable city-centre location. The rooms and suites are all decorated in their own individual style, showing off the original Georgian details of the building while adding a touch of modern luxury. Make sure you relax with a drink in the Old Q Bar, before you head downstairs to the excellent Olive Tree restaurant.

10. No.15 Great Pulteney, for attentive style

Hotel

Reception and sitting room at No.15 Great Pulteney
Courtesy of No.15 Great Pulteney / Booking.com

Elegant, luxurious and seriously stylish, No.15 Great Pulteney is all about attention to detail. Working with some of the UK’s biggest interior design stars to create 39 thoughtfully designed rooms, you can expect beautiful and unexpected touches, such as feature-wall murals, inside this sophisticated townhouse. The hotel’s Cafe 15 serves up excellent breakfasts, laid-back lunches and delicious dinners, while Bar 15 is the place to head for an indulgent cocktail in opulent surroundings.

Want to discover more? See our guide to the best hotels in Bath, and book now on Culture Trip.

Josh Taylor and Pierre de Villiers contributed additional reporting to this article.

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