The Royal Crescent Spa & Hotel, Bath

Located at Bath’s most exclusive address, in the centre of the city’s showpiece Georgian crescent, the Royal Crescent Spa & Hotel is unique in its offering. With a country house vibe, yet just a short walk from the city, it’s an idyllic spot to stay for anyone wanting a stylish and indulgent getaway. As soon as we walked in the hotel we were treated like royalty; from the warm welcome offered by the receptionist, to the piping hot pots of tea and home-made biscuits bought to our room as soon as we unpacked.

Lucy Pearson

Visiting Bath

Ninety minutes from London by train, and nestled in the heart of the west country, Bath is rich with charm and tranquility; providing visitors with a complete antithesis to the hustle and bustle of London, while still retaining a sophisticated and cultural vibe. With a history steeped in literature and as the former home of literary heavy weights including Jane Austen and with a multitude of stylish boutiques, high-end shops and cosmopolitan restaurants, it’s no surprise that Bath is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations.

The Deluxe Suite

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa itself beautifully fuses traditional heritage with contemporary luxury and is set amidst picturesque landscape gardens that are reminiscent of an old English tale. With just 45 rooms, the hotel is the best sort of boutique, and offers everything from classic doubles to beautifully luxurious suites. We were lucky enough to stay in a Deluxe Suite with a stunning balcony that overlooked the hotel’s lawns and boasted an opulent open plan living area complete with a well-stocked bookcase and fireplace, which led to a twin bedroom and stunning marble bathroom. The hotel’s finishing touches are perfectly thought out; our names were handwritten on a card on our door, a Nespresso coffee machine was available in the room; the bathrobes and towels were fluffy, the toiletries luxurious, and trays of tea were brought to the room on request.

Luxury Spa and Bath House

One of the hotel’s main attractions is the swanky spa and swimming pool; which offers guests a 12 metre Roman bath-esque relaxation pool, a fitness room and a walled garden in which guests can relax. I tried the hotel’s Five Elements Aroma Massage, and after sitting down to a cup of herbal tea, was shown to one of the spa’s six treatment rooms. Staying true to its rich heritage, the spa uses locally produced brands, and the massage therapist used a combination of essential oils and hot stones to soothe every ache and ailment that our modern lifestyles can inflict on our upper bodies. I enjoyed a post-massage dip in the pool before lounging in the lazy afternoon sun, a rarity in Spring time in the UK, in the spa garden.

Award Winning Dining

We enjoyed a glass of wine outside, while pondering over which of the options we should choose for our three course menu at The Dower House Restaurant. The dining is a traditional affair; the waiters possess an old school charm that perfectly match the hotel’s ambiance; the tables are pristinely presented and the menu is as mouth-watering as they come. We started with scallops, followed with poached stone bass, before finishing our evening with a beautiful chocolate tarte that tasted as good as it looked. A cup of  herbal tea before bed made for the perfect end to a relaxing day and returning to our beds turned down and robes and slippers laid out was certainly in keeping with the bespoke and personalised treatment the hotel is so loved for.

Breakfast was as brilliant as one would expect. Freshly squeezed juice (we chose the green that was made up of ginger, celery, apple and spinach), a buffet of seasonal fruits and pastries, yoghurts and fruit compotes were on the menu. I opted for the scrambled egg and smoked salmon, which was the fluffiest I’ve ever tried, followed by the waffles with cinnamon sugar and banana. Add in a selection of morning papers and piping hot pots of tea, and you truly have a breakfast of the best kind.

Soon after breakfast we ambled into Bath where we spent a few hours browsing the city’s many shops, before returning to the hotel for a final pot of tea in the gardens. Leaving was certainly bittersweet; the hotel is undoubtedly one of a kind and truly deserving of its five-star status. It’s not often a stay is as seamless and smooth as our time at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. From the wonderful staff, for whom no request was too much, to the beautiful rooms, period-style interiors and all-round wonderful ambience. Truly Britain at its very, very best, few places do palatial indulgence and old school heritage quite so well as The Royal Crescent.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath

16 Royal Crescent, Bath, UK

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The Fit Traveller was a guest of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa for this stay. As always, the opinions and words are authentically our own.