One of England's most stunning cities and most popular tourist destinations, Bath is an historic beauty. Reminders of Bath's Roman and Georgian history are everywhere, whether you want to simply enjoy being surrounded by some of the best architecture in the world or to more closely examine the city’s fascinating past — you can't escape it. Our pick of the best places to stay in Bath are scattered throughout town, but there’s definitely a concentration around the centre. We’ve picked out great B&Bs and guesthouses too, along with some gorgeous Bath grande dames, stunning spa hotels, luxury pads, bijou boutique hotels and even some pet friendly options too.

Bath has dozens and dozens of smaller hotels converted from 18th century houses, which are handsome from the outside, though sometimes rather cramped within. And the historical vibe tempts some hoteliers to adopt a possibly ill-advised repro/chintzy style. Some of them are romantic, and some less so, but if you’re here looking for the best places to stay in Bath with romance in mind, we recommend the Walcot area, where you'll find the famous Georgian architectural beauties: the Royal Crescent and The Circus. This is also home to many of the independent boutiques and galleries, and numerous places to eat and drink.

If your intentions are to see the sights, then the best places to stay in Bath may be closer to the centre of town, between the River Avon and George Street, and within a stroll of Bath Abbey, the Roman Baths and Pulteney Bridge. Just across the Avon from the centre of town is Bathwick, which is also super central, and where you’ll find many of Bath’s best guesthouses and B&Bs. Bear Flat and Oldfield Park are similarly more residential neighbourhoods, and both offer accomodation options on quiet, leafy streets. Bear in mind that Bath is hilly. It can be tricky for motorists too, so if you are driving, it's a good idea to check if your hotel has parking.

The Best Places to Stay in Bath

For a Special Occasion

• The Royal Crescent Hotel enjoys one of the most famous addresses in Bath, and is hard to beat if you are planning a treat. Situated right in the middle of one of the most jaw-droppingly impressive pieces of architecture in Britain, there is little chance of waking up here and wondering where you are. Effortlessly combining traditional and modern interiors, it is a classy delight both inside and out. And the fabulously grown-up spa is a child-free zone.
• No 15 is situated on one of Bath's grandest streets, and the beautifully styled interiors reflect the exterior with sparkly chandeliers, leather sofas, and vivid artwork. It's family friendly too; little ones love the treat pantry and instamatic cameras! To complete the picture there's an excellent restaurant and spa offering a range of bespoke therapies.

Off centre

• We love Bath Priory though must stress tjhat it is just on the edge of the city and not in the centre. A beautiful Georgian manor on the outside, there’s now a carefully converted hotel on the inside, with 27 luxurious, country house hotel style rooms with all the trimmings, indoor and outdoor pools, a glorious four acre garden — which also supplies the kitchen with vegetables — and a 3 AA Rosette restaurant.
• Imposing and Georgian, the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel is outside the centre of Bath, standing in seven acres of its own beautiful, formal grounds. This is a grown-up feeling hotel, with 129 rooms and suites, very high service standards and attention to detail, along with an excellent spa, a pool and a restaurant which holds 2 AA Rosettes.

For Central Bath

• Georgian and elegant, in honey coloured local stone, the super centrally located Abbey Hotel is just the sort of place people planning a trip to Bath dream of. It’s not quite a classic hotel, but it certainly looks like one, albeit slightly more trendy than some. It’s got the facilities too, with a quirky cocktail bar, an elegant restaurant, and a tea room known for its classic afternoon teas. There are 62 rooms and suites.
• The Ayrlington is an imposing townhouse surrounded by award-winning Oriental gardens. There are just 16 rooms, some with spectacular views of the city, all of them individually designed in a traditional style. Some have four-poster beds, some have feature wallpaper and impressive antiques, and one is painted bright pink. A memorable treat in a great location just across the river from the centre of historic Bath.

Best Spa Hotels

• The Gainsborough Bath Spa is a one of a kind thermal spa hotel in the very centre of Bath, tapping directly into Bath’s original thermal springs. It has 99 rooms and suites, including some huge family suites; all of them are extremely comfortable as well as beautiful. There’s a wonderfully elegant lounge serving afternoon tea, a fine dining restaurant and a chic bar. Plus you’re right in the centre of everything.

For Foodies

• The Queensberry is another townhouse hotel on a Georgian terrace, located on the hill close to the Bath Assembly Rooms. It has 29 spacious rooms and suites, with plenty of charming original features, including grand staircases and cosy drawing rooms, but with contemporary decor and design. Its restaurant, The Olive Tree, has a Michelin star, a rare thing in Bath. And you’re just opposite the Pump Rooms.

For Romantics

• Centrally, yet quietly, located, The Kennard is a charmingly converted Georgian townhouse with just 12 rooms, ornate decor and a Jane Austen inspired garden. The helpful owners’ attention to detail and delicious breakfasts, served in a chandelier-hung dining hall and prepared with ingredients sourced from local farms, make it deservedly popular. Each room is quite different, so make sure you ask for the one that most suits your tastes.
• Leighton Townhouse is a Victorian villa a mile from the centre of Bath (it's about a 15 minute stroll to the Roman Baths), now converted into a ten room hotel. The gardens are lovely, the decor is elegant, with pale colours and elegant antiques, and all the rooms have been individually designed. This is the perfect spot for a romantic and relaxed weekend.
• Dorian House is very close by, in a similarly quiet spot about 15 minutes from the Roman Baths. It has 11 rooms and suites, again individually decorated with a preference for simplicity, but also an eclectic array of antiques, many of them brought back from travels by the owners. There’s a tranquil garden too.

For Families

• If you’re on the look out for an affordable, family friendly hotel in the centre of Bath try Harington's Hotel, which is located on Queen Street, a cobbled alley very close to the Thermal Baths — in fact Harington’s Hotel is the closest hotel to the baths. With just 13 rooms and suites, plus a couple of self-catering apartments, decorated in bright, playful colours, there’s quite a bit of choice for families, No restaurant, but there's plenty to choose from in the local area. And it's got its own parking — albeit a couple of minutes walk away.
• Dreamstays is a collection of six chic, family-friendly apartments in a converted townhouse in a wonderfully central location. Each of the apartments is different, ranging from a bolthole for two, to a smart townhouse for ten, but all of them are carefully and stylishly decorated with full kitchens and plenty of features to be appreciated.

For Great Value

• Brindleys is a six bedroom property in a quiet, residential part of town, a stroll from the city centre. The decor feels French country chic, with white linens, elegant furniture and a colour scheme built around dove grey. There’s a sunny courtyard and comfortable living room, and they serve a full, organic, breakfast every morning.

Bath’s Best B&Bs

• The Roseate Villa is smart, 21 room B&B in an elegant converted house not far from the centre of town — and with wonderful views of it. Each room has been independently decorated, but there’s a pleasant simplicity throughout, with plain walls and grey fabrics, and a variety of feature wallpapers and elegant, traditionally shaped furniture.
• For child-free quiet, try Grays, which is a very British feeling B&B just outside the centre of town. There are 12 rooms, most with wonderful views across Bath and the Royal Crescent, and all of them styled differently in a classic, contemporary manner.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Bath?

• Bristol Airport is just outside Bath, and there’s a special bus, the Air Decker bus, which runs between them — though there are multiple stops en route and it takes about an hour. A taxi will take you between 35 and 45 minutes. Trains between London Paddington and Bath Spa take around 90minutes. And you’re not far from Heathrow either, around an hour and a quarter by car or taxi, or two hours by train.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Beautiful Bath is busy all year round. In summer there are a lot of American visitors who are doing their Grand Tours of Europe; the trees are beautiful in autumn, plus there’s the Jane Austen Festival in September; in winter there are Christmas markets, and in spring there’s the Literature Festival, the flower show and the comedy festival. But a lot of people come to Bath for weekend trips, so it’s often quieter if you visit mid-week — whatever the season!

Still not sure where to stay?

• Refine your search by the type of hotel you’re looking for and see just Bath’s best boutique hotels, Bath’s most luxurious hotels or the best spa hotels in Bath
• For practical purposes you might even prefer to search for just hotels in Bath with parking or pet-friendly hotels in Bath
• Or you could go the other way and expand your search to include all the best places to stay in Somerset
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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