Sydney Road, Bath, United Kingdom | (888) 551-4925
Housed in a 19th-century English manor with gorgeous gardens
Spacious rooms feature attractive, traditional charm
Full state-of-the-art spa with indoor and outdoor swimming pools
Fitness center has both weights and cardio machines
Rooms are updated with Nespresso coffemakers, flat-screen TVs, and stocked minibars
Top-notch on-site restaurants have tasty cuisine and elegant decor
24-hour room service is available
Meeting rooms for business travelers
Free Wi-Fi
A significant walk from the city center
Additional fee for on-site parking
Complaints about furniture in some spaces showing wear and tear
Pulling up to this gorgeous Georgian estate -- which once served as a private home, boarding school, wartime hospital, and place frequented by Winston Churchill -- guests are greeted by manicured grounds, a columned facade, and sweeping stone staircases, all adding to the fine English manor ambiance. The rooms are classically decorated and offer modern comforts that include free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, though some guests have voiced dismay about the state of the furnishings. A full-service spa with a well-stocked health club, two swimming pools, and immaculate gardens give visitors lots of opportunity for activity or relaxation. There are plenty of common spaces to roam as well, including a posh patio, an upscale dining area, and a drawing room. Just outside of downtown Bath, this property is best described as country elegance with easy town access.
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Scene
Classically regal and relaxed, with a Jane Austen vibe
You may feel as if you've stepped into a Jane Austen novel when visiting this lovely manor in the English countryside. Perfectly manicured hedges, sculptures, and fountains are waiting to be discovered within the confines of the manor. There’s even croquet set up. A 24-hour check-in space sets the tone for the entire property: The area is complete with a decorative relief ceiling, grandfather clock, plush high-backed chairs next to a fireplace, and desks staffed around the clock. This hotel has ample common areas, including multiple lounges/studies with richly-textured seating, original oil paintings, classic novels, and antique accents. There’s a refined quality to Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel, but one that puts an emphasis on relaxation as well. It's well suited for those in town for business, pleasure, or a combo of both.
Location
Close enough to downtown to be convenient; far enough away to be quiet
Located about a mile outside of downtown Bath, the Macdonald gives you country quiet with easy access to area attractions such as the Sydney Gardens and Roman Baths, which are 1o to 20 minutes away by foot. This gated estate is located up a hill off a rural road just outside of the city confines. Immediately surrounding the manor are seven acres of lush gardens with views of Bath and the Mendip Hills. Bristol Airport is about a 50-minute drive west.
Rooms
Classy yet understated with modern conveniences, though some guests have noted wear on furnishings
All 129 rooms in this hotel are decorated with accents like crushed velvet chairs, heavy drapes (in regal tones like burgundy), dark wood furnishings and headboards, and even vanity tables. Modern amenities are also present, including free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, stocked minibars, and super-luxe Nespresso coffeemakers. The bathrooms are spacious with marble counters and shower/tub combos. Posh robes and Molton Brown toiletries are nice touches. Guests booking the Imperial Suite even have access to their own personal butler. Still, amid the luxury, some guests have complained about the furnishings and decor showing wear.
Features
Full-service spa/health club, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, top-rated dining areas, and elegant event spaces
Though the spas in Bath are legendary, this is one of the only hotels in the area that has its own modern full-service spa with a wide range of treatments as well as a steam room, sauna, whirlpool, and fully-equipped health club. The gym has weights and cardio equipment and even offers Aquacise classes in the heated indoor pool. There’s also a hydrotherapy outdoor pool with a surrounding relaxation area.The award-winning Vellore restaurant is elegant with high ceilings, white columned entryways, and an air of fine dining (it's open for breakfast and dinner only). The more relaxed Drawing Room is a welcome setting for full afternoon tea, and the Colonnade and Rotunda bars are open for light fare and cocktails pretty much all day. The hotel is business-friendly with six stately meeting rooms that are also available for weddings/receptions. On-site parking is offered for an additional daily fee (and you'll need a vehicle unless you really like to walk), but there’s always a queue of cabs waiting to whisk guests into town.
