THE ROSEATE VILLA in Bath - Hotel Review with Photos

SD › Bath › Hotels › Roseate Villa Review
Updated: May 17, 2022

Essentials
• Location: Henrietta Road overlooking Henrietta Park.
• Hotel website: roseatehotels.com
• Hotel phone: +44 1225 466 329
• Check prices for Roseate Villa

Review of The Roseate Villa in Bath, England.

The luxurious Roseate Villa is a B&B with great rooms and excellent service

Roseate Villa – Luxury B&B bordering on boutique hotel and overlooking a vast park near central Bath.

Located less than a ten-minute walk from the center of the city, this luxurious B&B overlooks tranquil Henrietta Park. The twenty-one rooms vary from mid-sized to positively palatial, and are thoroughly contemporary, with one wall covered in boldly-patterned wallpaper and American-style shutters and blinds. Service is sweet and personalized, with check-in done over a cup of tea in the stylish dining room that doubles as a guest lounge. Besides terrific home-cooked breakfasts, there’s an honesty bar, and numerous dining options are just a short walk away.

Roseate Villa – Location

Address: Henrietta Rd.
Area: Tree-lined residential street next to the former royal hunting grounds of Henrietta Park, across the river from central Bath. The location is both quiet and secluded, and just a short walk away from Bath’s main attractions, plus the cafes, restaurants, and bars of the city center. Pulteney Bridge is a 5-minute stroll, while the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey are a 9-minute walk.
How to Get There: Take one of the frequent trains from London Paddington to Bath Spa station (1.5 hours) and then walk for 13 minutes (0.7 mile), or take a taxi.
Handy to: Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Victoria Art Gallery.

Roseate Villa – The Basics

Ages: While many of the guests tend to be couples or travelers on a city break, families with children can be accommodated in some of the rooms.
View: Rooms look out either over the garden or over the vast green expanse of Henrietta Park.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: No private pools/jacuzzis.
Laundry: In-room laundry service.
Parking: Parking on-site or with a street permit next to the hotel costs £15 per day, unless you book direct, in which case it’s free.
Extras: Complimentary tea and coffee throughout the day. Honesty bar in the dining room. Extensive information on Bath’s attractions, plus dining recommendations.
When to Book: Reserve 2 months in advance for the May to October period as well as much of December (Christmas market) and the Christmas/New Year period.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +44 1225 466 329
Email: reception.trvb@roseatehotels.com
Website: roseatehotels.com

Roseate Villa – Amenities

Pool: No pool.
Spa: No spa.
Fitness Center: No fitness center.
For Disabled Guests: One room suitable for partially mobile guests.
For Families: Baby cots available; extra beds can be provided for older kids.

Roseate Villa – Food and Drink

Restaurant: There is no restaurant on the premises, though the dining room serves afternoon tea with home-baked cakes. There are also numerous dining options a short walk from the hotel, and the owner is happy to provide recommendations.
Lounge/Bar: The honesty bar in the dining room is stocked with spirits, wines, beer, and soft drinks. There are plans to open a fully-licensed bar on the premises.
Breakfast: Not complimentary unless you book direct. Excellent breakfast that includes homemade bread and jams, a cold buffet spread, plus a glass of Buck’s Fizz, and dishes cooked to order (full English breakfast, pancakes with bacon and maple syrup…). Costs £17.50. Served from 7.30-10 am on weekdays and up to 10.30 am on weekends.
Room Service: No room service, though the more expensive rooms come with fridges with milk for your tea and coffee. Guests staying in cheaper rooms can help themselves to milk from the communal fridge.

Roseate Villa – Rooms

Room Types: Standard Double Garden View • Superior Double Garden View • Deluxe King Park View • Luxury King Park View • Luxury King Garden View • Suite • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: Roseate Villa is 100% smoke-free.
Best Room: The Luxury King Park View Room 17 is fairly palatial, with a king-sized bed, comfortable sitting area, and the finest views of Henrietta Park.
For Families: No family rooms per se, but the Deluxe and Luxury rooms can accommodate baby cots and extra beds, as can the suite.

Roseate Villa – Local Transport

Walking: The Victoria Art Gallery is a 6-minute walk, while the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey are a 9-minute walk apiece. Thermae Bath Spa and Jane Austen Centre are about a 12-minute stroll away. Easily walkable to the Royal Crescent, Assembly Rooms, and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. Numerous bars, restaurants, and boutiques are across the river in central Bath.
Taxis, Uber: Taxis and Uber charge around £6 from the train station to the hotel. Central Bath is very walkable and you can easily reach all the main attractions on foot.

Roseate Villa – What’s Nearby?

Recommended Nearby Tours

Mayor’s Honorary Guides – Superb free walking tours (no tips or gratuities accepted) run by certified city guides passionate about its history. Meet outside the Roman Baths at 10.30 am and 2 pm Sunday to Friday and 10.30 am only on Saturday. (0.4 mile).
Bizarre Bath Tours – These “hysterical rather than historical” walking tours are a fun-filled way to spend an evening and give you an irreverent overview of the city. They depart at 8 pm nightly from The Huntsman on North Parade. (0.4 mile).
Mad Max Tours – Award-winning small group day trips to popular locations outside Bath, such as Stonehenge, the Cotswolds villages, plus Glastonbury, Wells, and Cheddar Gorge. Departures from the Abbey Hotel on North Parade. (0.5 mile).

Best Nearby Restaurants

Giggling Squid – Contemporary Thai restaurant where the recipes are based on dishes that the chef grew up with, such as slow-cooked lamb massaman curry, spicy seafood pad cha stir-fry, and green curry with chicken. Thai tapas available throughout the day. (0.4 mile).
Pump Room Restaurant – Attached to the Roman Baths, this elegant Georgian dining room serves light lunches and proper afternoon teas, complete with cakes and dainty little sandwiches. (0.4 mile).
Acorn – Award-winning vegan restaurant. Choose from a 5 or 7-course tasting menu, opt for a menu of small plate classics, or go for a set 3-course lunch menu. Book ahead. (0.4 mile).
Sotto Sotto – Considered to be the best Italian restaurant in the city, Sotto Sotto serves sophisticated dishes such as grilled sea bass with sweet potato gnocchi and fettucine with Gressingham duck inside a subtly-lit vaulted brick chamber. Book ahead. (0.5 mile).
Olé Tapas – Tiny tapas bar with wonderfully authentic dishes – from platters of cold cuts and Spanish cheeses with quince paste, to the paprika-dusted Galician-style octopus. Plenty of Spanish wines by the glass, too. (0.5 mile).
Hudson Steakhouse – Victorian pub turned award-winning steakhouse, with cozy fireplaces by the upstairs grill. Prime dry-aged steaks a specialty, plus good cocktails. Book ahead. (0.5 mile).
The Gainsborough Brasserie – Seasonal and creative Modern British fine dining making the most of sustainably-sourced ingredients, and served in the elegant dining room. Choose between a la carte, 3-course lunches, and the 5 and 7-course tasting menus. Smart casual. Reservations recommended. (0.6 mile).
Clayton’s Kitchen – With tables in the delightful outdoor passage, Clayton’s wouldn’t look out of place in Paris. The Modern British dishes are fresh, seasonal, and beautifully presented. Lunch is a bargain and there’s an eclectic wine list. (0.6 mile).

Best Nearby Cafes and Tea Shops

Mokoko Coffee – Carefully selected coffees sourced from as far afield as Rwanda, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, and Tanzania, and prepared in numerous ways. Also tarts, croissants, and muffins made from scratch. (0.4 mile).
Sally Lunn’s – Locally revered tea shop serving classic afternoon tea, complete with tiny cucumber sandwiches with the crusts cut off. Alternatively, go for a Bath cream tea, which includes half of Sally’s famous toasted bunns, with cinnamon butter and with clotted cream on the side. (0.5 mile).
The Colombian Company – Pint-sized, cosy coffee shop that specializes exclusively in single origin coffees from Colombia. An array of cakes tempt those with a sweet tooth. (0.5 mile).

Best Nearby Bars and Pubs

Opium – A discreet doorway tucked away under Grove St leads you into a snug warren of rooms, themed from Renaissance through to Victoriana. Opium is legendary locally for its cocktails, and can whip up one to your specifications. (0.2 mile).
BeerCraft of Bath – Just off Pulteney Bridge, this lively craft beer bar with four rotating beers on tap doubles as a bottle shop that stocks over 500 bottled brews from all over Europe and further afield. (0.2 mile).
Canary Gin Bar – A must-visit for fans of all things juniper-based, the cozy, subtly-lit Canary stocks over 230 types of gin. Apart from killer G&Ts, there’s a long list of gin-based cocktails and occasional masterclasses. (0.5 mile).
The Hideout – Whiskies from around the world are the specialty at this snug sub-basement bar hidden beneath a medieval stone arch, from Glennfidich single malts to Japanese whisky blends. Have it on the rocks, as part of a cocktail, or as a Crab Smasher shooter. (0.5 mile).
The Raven – This congenial place is best for chats over a pint of ale, including their very own Raven Gold. There are also excellent pies to choose from, from classic meat to goat’s cheese and sweet potato. (0.5 mile).
Corkage – This cozy wine bar, lined with legions of wine bottles, has an excellent selection of tipples from all over the world, though it’s particularly strong on French, Italian, and Spanish wines. Small plates of creative bistro fare available for sharing. (0.6 mile).
The Bell Inn – This no-frills, 18th-century pub is a beloved live music venue, with anything from blues, folk, and jazz to rock performed on Sunday lunchtimes and Monday and Wednesday evenings. Vinyl DJ sets on weekends and Abbey Ales’ Bellringer on tap. (0.6 mile).

Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops

The Antique Map Shop – On Pulteney Bridge, this specialist shop is particularly strong on antique maps of Great Britain and its various regions. The oldest map here dates back to the 15th century. (0.2 mile).
Bath Aqua Glass – This glass-blowing workshop is open for demonstrations daily at 11 am and 2 pm, and the attached shop sells an excellent array of gifts. (0.4 mile).
Penhaligon’s – Bath branch of the illustrious British house of fragrances, started by a Cornish barber in London some 150 years ago. Also stocks high-end bath and body products. (0.4 mile).
Clandar – All about British textiles, Clandar specializes in designing and making its own range of British tweed clothing, with the tweed sourced from historic British tweed mills. Scottish cashmere and British woolens also sold here. (0.4 mile).
Independent Spirit of Bath – Besides specializing in single malt whiskies from Scotland and elsewhere, artisan gins, and the best of British craft beer, this shop also organizes whisky tastings and gin and cocktail masterclasses. (0.4 mile).
Castle Fine Art – This branch of the gallery showcases paintings, sculptures, sketches, and more by 60 contemporary British artists, from London cityscapes by Paul Kenton to cartoons of Marvel superheroes by Nigel Humphries. (0.4 mile).
Roman Baths Shop – Terrific gift shop with Roman and Bath-themed souvenirs, from Asterix books in Latin and books on the history of Roman Britain to small batch spirits by Bath Botanical gin and hand-foraged preserves by Heavenly Hedgerows. (0.5 mile).
House of Fraser – With marble columns and an impressive façade, House of Fraser is the oldest department store in the UK, beautifully restored to its 1820’s splendor. Formerly known as Jolly’s. Inside, you’ll find fine homewares and luxury brands such as Chanel and Armani. (0.5 mile).
DuoBoots – Calf-length, knee-length, and over-the-knee boots for ladies designed and sold here. Designs range from timeless classics to on-trend footwear. (0.5 mile).
Topping & Company – Browse one of UK’s best independent bookshops, complete with rolling library ladders. The bookshop attracts year-round signings by authors and plays an important part in the annual Bath Literary Festival. (0.5 mile).

Nearby Attractions

Victoria Art Gallery – Bath’s second most visited museum displays works from over 2,000 artists inside a stately 19th-century building. These range from portraits painted by renowned artists such as Thomas Gainsborough and Johann Zoffany to city landscapes by the likes of Walter Sickert and John Nash, and amateur works by up-and-coming local painters. (0.3 mile).
Roman Baths – Known to the Romans as Aquae Sulis, this largely intact Roman baths complex dates back to 70AD and is fed by mineral-rich hot springs. Visitor highlights include the Great Bath, the temple courtyard, and the on-site museum with its wealth of mosaics, Roman coins, and statuary. (0.4 mile).
Bath Abbey Tower – For breathtaking views of Bath’s rooftops and the surrounding countryside, take a tour of the Abbey Tower. See the bell ringing chamber and a hidden room with the Abbey clock mechanism before scaling the spiral staircase all the way to the top. (0.4 mile).
Thermae Bath Spa – While it’s not possible to bathe in the Roman baths, you can enjoy the same mineral-rich waters as the Romans did 2,000 years ago at this state-of-the-art spa. Soak in the basement pool and hot tub, treat yourself to massages and facials, or head up to the open-air rooftop pool. (0.5 mile).
Jane Austen Centre – Museum dedicated to Bath’s famous former resident. British novelist Jane Austen lived in Bath from 1801 to 1806 and set two of her novels here: Northanger Abbey and Persuasion, based on her observations of Regency society. There are hands-on exhibits, snippets from Austen’s letters, and guides dressed as characters from her novels. (0.6 mile).
Fashion Museum & Assembly Rooms – Marvel at the gowns, dresses, breeches, gloves, and wigs from fashion trends from the 17th to late 20th centuries, and don’t miss the special exhibit devoted to the fashions of the Royal Family. In the same building, the Assembly Rooms with their frescoed ceilings and original chandeliers used to host the 18th-century equivalent of the Kardashians and Paris Hiltons. (0.7 mile).
The Circus – Comprising 3 terraces, each divided into 11 mansions, and curved around a circular green space, the Circus was inspired by Rome’s Colosseum and built in 1768 to the specifications of architect John Wood the Elder. Past residents have included painter Thomas Gainsborough, actor Nicolas Cage, and Clive of India. (0.7 mile).
No. 1 Royal Crescent – Designed by architect John Wood the Younger and built in the 1770s, this sweeping crescent of 30 four-story mansions overlooks an idyllic park. You can visit the restored Georgian mansion with original furnishings at No. 1: four-poster beds and wig-stretchers in the bedrooms, plus an elegant dining set in the grand dining room. (0.8 mile).

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

Bath Guildhall Market – This covered market is the oldest shopping venue in the city. Twenty stalls and shops sell regional cheeses, leather goods, traditional British sweets, design-led jewelry, specialty teas and coffees, and second-hand books. There’s also an espresso bar and a café serving all-day English breakfasts and sandwiches. (0.3 mile).
Waitrose – Central branch of the high-end supermarket. (0.4 mile).

Roseate Villa – The Hotel

The hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood close to central Bath.

Roseate Villa sits on a quiet pedestrian street overlooking Henrietta Park – a former royal game reserve – yet it’s less than 10 minutes’ walk from central Bath.

There is plenty of quirky decor in the hotel.

Its rooms are spread across 3 floors, with quirky decor (including faux bookcases) on the landings.

The dining room comes with an honesty bar.

The Roseate Villa’s only drawback is that it doesn’t have a dedicated guest lounge, but the bright dining room doubles as a meeting space for guests and comes with an honesty bar. A terrific breakfast with plenty of homemade ingredients is served here from 7.30am.

The Classic Garden View rooms are compact but comfortable.

The Classic Garden View rooms are on the compact side, but come with excellent beds, striking wallpaper, and snug bathrooms with power showers.

Classic Garden View rooms have distinct wallpapers.

This is another example of a Classic Garden View room with its distinctive wallpaper.

Superior Garden View rooms are spacious.

Superior Garden View rooms are more spacious than the Classic rooms, but otherwise come with the same amenities.

With the exception of Classic Garden View rooms, most rooms come with a rain shower and bath combo.

Superior Garden View rooms come with standard amenities.

This Superior Garden View room is decked out in muted tones and equipped with standard amenities, such as flat screen TV.

The spacious Deluxe King Park View rooms have large windows.

The Deluxe King Park View rooms are generously sized, with extra-large windows offering plenty of natural light and views of Henrietta Park.

There is only one Deluxe King Garden View room.

The hotel has only one Deluxe King Garden View room with muted tones, a king-sized bed that can be twinned, and a generous-sized bathroom.

The 18th-century Pulteney Bridge is a popular landmark.

If you head south and then west from the hotel, within minutes you hit Pulteney Bridge – a well-photographed 18th-century landmark that spans the River Avon. It looks even more impressive from the west side of the river.

The Antique Map Shop is located on Pulteney Bridge.

Directly on the bridge is The Antique Map Shop – particularly good for centuries-old maps of different parts of the British isles.

BeerCraft of Bath has an excellent selection of craft beers.

Across the street, BeerCraft of Bath is both a craft beer bar and the best place in town to shop for craft brews from all over Europe and beyond.

Opium serves legendary cocktails in themed rooms.

Just before you cross the bridge, head north up Grove St for a minute and take a sharp left along Spring Gardens Rd to find Opium, a snug cocktail bar with themed rooms and legendary cocktails.

Victoria Art Gallery offers free tours on Wednesdays.

Just to the west of the bridge is the Victoria Art Gallery, Bath’s repository of fine and contemporary arts. Come on a Wednesday for a free tour of the highlights.

Bath Aqua Glass also offers glass blowing workshops.

If you head north from the Victoria Art Gallery up Walcot St, a 5-minute walk brings you to Bath Aqua Glass – a glass blowing workshop with demonstrations at 11 am and 2pm.

There’s an attached shop selling glass creations.

The historic Bell Inn is a local institution.

A little further north, the Bell Inn is a local institution – an 18th-century pub that doubles as a live music venue and hosts anything from blues and folk to DJ sets.

Parade Gardens by the river is popular with picnickers.

If you head south from Pulteney Bridge along the river, you soon hit the Parade Gardens – the riverside green space popular with picnickers.

Acorn is a popular, award-winning vegan restaurant.

Take North Parade east from Parade Gardens and you hit tiny, pedestrian Church Street. This is where you’ll find Acorn, the award-winning vegan restaurant. It’s worth booking ahead even for lunch.

Sally Lunn's is extremely popular for afternoon tea.

Next door is the legendary Sally Lunn’s – the most popular café in Bath for afternoon tea, with an attached museum – both inside one of Bath’s oldest houses.

Bath cream tea and cinnamon-buttered bun are a specialty at Sally's.

The specialty at Sally Lunn’s is Bath cream tea, complete with a massive bun buttered with cinnamon butter.

A few steps west, duck into an alcove and you find The Hideout, a tiny whisky bar with tipples from around the world and a potent gin and whisky shooter.

Kingston Parade square features street musicians.

Walk 1 block north and you find yourself on Kingston Parade, the square in front of the Bath Abbey, complete with street musicians.

The panoramic views of the town from the Abbey tower are excellent.

Scaling the Abbey tower (closed during inclement weather) is particularly worthwhile, since you get fine 360-degree views from the top of the entire town. Tours run every hour and take around 45 minutes; get your tickets in advance just inside the Bath Abbey entrance.

The Great Bath and museum at the Roman Baths are worth visiting.

Directly opposite the Abbey are the Roman Baths – Aquae Sulis to the Romans and the town’s biggest attraction. Check out the Great Bath and the museum with its wealth of Roman finds. Go early in the day, before the school groups arrive, and get a combo ticket if you’re planning to visit the Victoria Art Gallery and Fashion Museum.

The gift shop sells excellent souvenirs.

You exit the Roman Baths through the gift shop, which is a great place to shop for quality Roman- and Bath-themed souvenirs, such locally made gin and Asterix comics in Latin.

The small Mokoko Coffee outlet offers coffees from around the world.

A few steps north along Stall St is Mokoko Coffee, the tiny central branch (the main one is on Dorchester St, near the train station) that stocks carefully selected coffees from around the world; limited seating room.

Thermae Bath Spa offers Bath's famous thermal waters and spa.

If you head west along Bath St from the Roman Baths gift shop, in a couple of minutes you come to the Thermae Bath Spa – the only place in the city where you can enjoy Bath’s famous thermal waters apart from the spa inside the Gainsborough Bath Spa hotel. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to be quieter days.

Giggling Squid serves contemporary Thai dishes and tapas.

There’s some good Asian food to be found 3 blocks north of the spa, on Westgate Street: the Giggling Squid is all about contemporary, creative Thai dishes and Thai tapas throughout the day (popular with kids).

Jane Austen Centre, located close by, is worth a visit.

Four blocks north, on Gay St, is the Jane Austen Centre – a must for fans of Regency England fiction. You’ll be shown around by characters from her novels.

Clayton’s Kitchen's 3-course lunches are a bargain.

A block north and a block east of the Jane Austen Centre, Clayton’s Kitchen serves very affordable Modern British fare; the 3-course lunches are a bargain.

Topping & Company nearby is Britain's best independent bookshop.

A block east of Clayton’s Kitchen is Topping & Company, one of Britain’s best independent bookshops, complete with rolling library ladders.

The Raven specializes in great ales and pies.

Alternatively, take Old King St east and then John St south from the Jane Austen Centre and in a couple of minutes you’ll pass The Raven, a classic pub specializing in real ales and terrific pies.

Canary Gin Bar close by has a large selection of gins and cocktails.

A few doors down is the Canary Gin Bar (Bath is famous for its gin), with over 230 varieties and a long cocktail list.

A block east of John St, and parallel to it is Milsom St, renowned for its high-end shops and fine British tailoring. This is where you’ll find Penhaligon’s – the Bath branch of London’s illustrious house of fragrances.

Castle Fine Art sells the works of contemporary British artists.

Across the street, Castle Fine Art sells paintings, sculptures, and more by over 60 contemporary British artists. Check rates and availability: Roseate Villa

The Roseate Villa Hotel in Bath, England

See Also