BACKGROUND Comprising of the two middle houses within Bath’s Royal Crescent, the five-star hotel provides the chance to stay within the walls of a British landmark. It’s a Relais and Châteaux hotel, and was part of the Von Essen portfolio until March, when it was bought by Topland group after Von Essen went into administration.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? It’s a little like being transported back in time to the 18th century. Upon entering the black and white chequered floor lobby, concierges wearing tuxedos greet you, and you may catch glimpses of cleaners carrying out tasks in Georgian-style maids uniforms. The drawing room beside the lobby stays true to its historical heritage in style, with oil paintings, a chandelier and a coal fire within the building’s original mantelpiece. Glancing around, you see intriguing antiques – there was a beautiful chessboard with carved Elizabethan characters for pieces upon the table on my visit.
The hotel is divided into two parts. Roughly half of the 45 rooms are in the original crescent building, with the other half in the converted coach houses at the back of the hotel. These two sections are separated from each other by a surprisingly large stretch of walled garden – when standing facing the façade of the Royal Crescent, you wouldn’t expect this to be behind it. Both sections of the hotel are similar in style, and it’s within the coach house section that you’ll also find the hotel’s restaurant, spa and meeting facilities.
WHERE IS IT? A ten-minute walk uphill from the city centre, overlooking Victoria Park
ROOM FACILITIES I stayed in a twin deluxe double on the top (second) floor, in the Crescent building. In keeping with the rest of the hotel, the décor of the room was Regency-themed, and it felt very authentic. However, there were elements of the room that could have done with a bit of a refresh – in general it felt a little tired – and I am sure this is something that will be done under its new management. There was cream striped wallpaper behind framed antique sketches of Bath, surrounding comfortable twin beds, each with a blue velvet armchair in front – this made the room feel a little cluttered, as it wasn’t a very large space and I was sharing it with someone. A small flatscreen TV and DVD player were on a TV cabinet opposite the beds – there was a DVD library at reception – and there was a selection of magazines, as well as three Jane Austen novels. There were two free bottles of water, but no tea- and coffee-making facilities, nor a minibar – a pot of tea via the hotel’s 24-hour room service cost £5. Wifi access was free throughout the hotel, and there was a decent-sized work desk in the corner near a window that offered a fantastic view of the rest of the Royal Crescent, the greenery of Victoria Park, and Bath’s skyline. Robes and slippers were provided, as well as a mini safe and a hairdryer. The blue candy-stripe tiled bathroom had a shower over the bath and Anne Semonin toiletries.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS The elegant Dower House restaurant is a fresh, bright space, with a traditional feel combined with modern lime green furnishings and splashes of colour. A wall of French doors that open onto the hotel’s garden provided great natural light. Breakfast (7am-10am), lunch (12.30pm- 2pm) and dinner (7m-9.30pm) are all served here. Guests can choose from a continental buffet breakfast, offering pastries, breads, cakes, cereals, meats, cheeses, yoghurt, various fruit compôtes and fresh fruit, along with juices and tea and coffee. There is also an à la carte menu, with choices such as kippers on toast, eggs benedict and a full English breakfast – I enjoyed my scrambled eggs and salmon on toast, which was prepared to a high standard. For lunch and dinner, the Dower House restaurant serves British cuisine with a contemporary twist; dinner options include “roast pigeon with smoked potato mash, chocolate lentils, pumpkin and tonka bean purée” and “halibut with a spiced parmesan crust, butternut purée, coriander and curry paste”. The restaurant’s small, sophisticated bar is beside its entrance.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES The hotel has three meeting spaces. The Montagu suite, opposite the Dower House restaurant is a neutral, warm space for 50 delegates theatre-style, and it has an adjoining breakout room with French doors leading to the garden. Back in the Crescent building, the cosy library would be an atmospheric space for a meeting of up to 15 people, and the hotel’s Sir Percy Blakeney Suite is a grand, traditional space that can hold 40 delegates theatre-style. It’s also possible to host a marquee event in the garden for 150 people. Wifi is free throughout the hotel, and LCD projectors, screens and flipcharts can be provided.
LEISURE FACILITIES The Bath House spa has seven treatment rooms. The 12-metre relaxation pool is heated to 35°C, and beside it are two barrel-style plunge tubs; one tepid and one cool. This area of the spa has a very distinctive ambience; arched windows within stone walls that let light stream through onto the steaming pool. There is also a sauna, a eucalyptus steam room and a fitness centre, opening hours are as follows: Mon 8am-9pm, Tues-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. The spa’s range of treatments use bespoke hand-made products and essential oils; final treatments are at 6.30pm.
Within the hotel gardens, there is an immaculate croquet lawn, which would be lovely in sunny weather. The Royal Crescent has its own river launch, named Lady Sophina, a mahogany 1920s boat that can be hired exclusively for tea or champagne cruises down the river Avon for eight people. The hotel can also arrange hot air balloon rides that take off from Victoria Park, and a range of incentives including clay pigeon shooting, wine tasting, archery, horse riding, cocktail of chocolate workshops and a golf simulator.
VERDICT A stunning property with great facilities and lots of character. It provides a flavour of Bath’s past while accommodating the needs of business travellers.
FACT FILE
HOW MANY ROOMS? 45
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS My room didn’t have the wow factor of the rest of the hotel, but my bed was comfortable, the wifi worked well, and the view was memorable.
PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in June started from £199 for a classic double room.
CONTACT royalcrescent.co.uk
Rose Dykins
