The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

With an unparalleled position at the center of one of the world’s great Georgian crescents, the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath is a fabulously sophisticated urban retreat. Set among gorgeous gardens and boasting a wonderfully indulgent spa and award-winning fine dining, the Royal Crescent is one of Britain’s finest examples of Georgian architecture.

Its elegant eighteenth-century period charm, subtly enhanced by light-handed contemporary touches, has made it a natural ‘go to’ for film companies and a wonderfully luxurious base for both families and couples wanting to explore this incredible World Heritage city with its Roman Baths, Abbey and Jane Austen connections.

The Royal Crescent’s 45 rooms and suites, elegantly combining old world heritage and the very latest in technology, are all individually designed and offer a real sense of calm and refinement. Suites are certainly worth the splurge, and offer magnificent views along with spacious living and sleeping areas. Families are particularly well catered to, with toys, DVDs and PlayStation available for kids and a children’s dining menu also available if you wish. If you would like a little more privacy or are traveling with your family, the Garden Villa is perfect, offering two suites and two bedrooms along with your own private garden.

The leafy walled gardens behind the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa are one of Bath’s hidden secrets, and are a blissfully secluded corner in which to enjoy a quintessential English afternoon tea, a glass of champagne or a chat with friends. Overlooking the gardens the award-winning Dower House Restaurant serves fabulous breakfasts, enticing tasting menus and the aforementioned afternoon teas, and in summer the sunny terrace and manicured lawns become an idyllic setting for al fresco dining. Before or after dinner, let top mixologist Orlando Garcia craft an outstanding cocktail for you in the stylish Montagu Bar & Champagne Lounge.

Also located in the gardens, the multi-award-winning Spa & Bath House is a sanctuary of healing, featuring natural woods, bamboo, pebbles and slate – just the place to let yourself be well and truly pampered with a wide range of treatments based on the four elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. There is also a state-of-the-art gym and a swimming pool if you’d like to keep in shape.

Refreshed and rejuvenated, you’ll now be ready to explore. The many layers of Bath’s history and its inspiring architecture are best revealed on a private guided walk, or, if you are feeling energetic, on the six-mile Bath Skyline Walk which offers stunning views along with wildflowers, Iron Age forts and much more. Climb the tower of Bath Abbey for a very special perspective over the city, experience Bath from water level on a narrow boat cruise along the Kennet & Avon Canal, or delve deep into the world of Jane Austen with tea in the Pump Room at the Roman Baths.

You can experience all the passion and excitement of a game of rugby as you watch Bath’s top-ranked English premiership team take on all comers at the Rec, or get creative and try your hand at blowing your own glass bubble at Bath Aqua Glass (you’ll even get to keep the results of your efforts as they will be delivered next day to your hotel).

Beyond Bath, the Cotswolds, Stonehenge and any number of fabulous gardens and estates beckon. And when you can’t take in any more sights, then we can arrange an intimate private soak in a steaming thermal spring sacred to the Celts, where you’ll instantly connect with people who relaxed in the same way over two thousand years ago, or simply return to the welcoming hospitality of the Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa and recount your day’s adventures over a glass of mulled wine while warming yourself by the fire.