THE ROYAL CRESCENT in Bath - Hotel Review with Photos

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Updated: May 17, 2022

Essentials
• Location: Royal Crescent.
• Hotel website: royalcrescent.co.uk
• Hotel phone: +44 1225 823 333
• Check prices for Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Review of The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath, UK.

In a beautiful location opposite a park, Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa offers luxurious old-world charm with modern amenities.

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – Luxury hotel in Bath’s iconic Georgian crescent.

Encompassing two townhouses that form part of the golden stone crescent overlooking Bath’s main green lung, as well as the coachhouse out back, the Royal Crescent is a seamless blend of twenty-first-century amenities and eighteenth-century old-world elegance. The elegant interior is all curving staircases, chandeliers in lounges, and stuccoed ceilings in the suites. All forty-five rooms and suites are individually styled, and the superb spa is located in one of the Georgian buildings at the back of the large, beautifully kept garden full of striking modern statues. Besides a first-rate fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar, perks include indulgent afternoon tea and excellent, personalized service.

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – Location

Address: 16 Royal Crescent.
Area: Residential crescent overlooking the lawns and the end of the Royal Victoria Park, Bath’s largest green space. Very peaceful and no passing traffic. A 5 to 10-minute walk to all the major attractions, including the Roman Baths, Jane Austen Centre, and Bath Abbey. Bath is very compact and walkable, and the city center with its restaurants, bars, and shops is just a short stroll away.
How to Get There: Take one of the frequent trains from London Paddington to Bath Spa station (1.5 hours) and then walk for 20 minutes (1 mile), or take a taxi.
Handy to: No. 1 Royal Crescent, Bath Assembly Rooms, Jane Austen Centre.

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – The Basics

Ages: While the Royal Crescent feels like a grown-up hotel, and the minimum age in the spa is 12, families are welcome and the concierge is happy to advise about family-friendly attractions in the area.
View: Rooms look out either over the Royal Victoria Park or over the tranquil garden out back.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: No private pools/jacuzzis.
Laundry: In-room laundry service.
Parking: No parking on-site, but valet parking nearby costs £30 per day.
Extras: Turn down service, bespoke “Art at the RCH” tours of the hotel’s own contemporary art collection, and complimentary tea and coffee throughout the day. Extensive information on Bath’s attractions and dining recommendations. Special events can be organized, including weddings.
When to Book: Reserve 2-3 months in advance for the summer high season (May to September) as well as most of December (Christmas market) and the Christmas/New Year period.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +44 1225 823 333
Email: info@royalcrescent.co.uk
Website: royalcrescent.co.uk

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – Amenities

Pool: There’s a 12-meter pool inside the spa building.
Spa: Award-winning spa inside a striking stone building offers a full range of massage treatments and comes with a Himalayan salt-infused sauna and herbal steam room. Open 7 am to 9 pm Monday to Friday, and 8 am to 8 pm on weekends. Treatments from 10 am to 6 pm.
Fitness Center: Fully equipped fitness centre with the latest Power Plate technology inside the spa.
For Disabled Guests: Several rooms adapted for disabled guests.
For Families: Baby cots available, and extra beds can be provided for older kids. The concierge is happy to advise about family-friendly activities and attractions in the city, and the staff provides age-appropriate snacks and magazines for their young guests.

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – Food and Drink

Restaurants: Helmed by award-winning chef David Campbell, The Dower House Restaurant (7 am-11 pm) features elegant decor and elaborate Modern British dishes known for the experimental combinations of flavors and ingredients. There’s a separate children’s menu. Reservations essential for lunch and dinner ($$$). • The hotel is also known for its indulgent afternoon teas (1.30-6 pm, last sitting at 4.30 pm), with the option of adding a glass of Taittinger champagne, and a dedicated children’s menu, served either at the restaurant or in the gardens. Book ahead ($$).
Lounge/Bar: Montagu Bar serves classic and original cocktails, as well as an impressive selection of champagnes and an all-day dining menu of bistro dishes and light bites from 11 am to 10 pm.
Breakfast: Not complimentary unless you book direct. A terrific spread of cold cuts, fruits, and cereals, plus hot dishes cooked to order – costs £30 and is served in the Dower Restaurant from 7am to 10.30am. Guests have the option to dine outside in the garden during warmer months.
Room Service: Available from the Montagu Bar around the clock.

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – Rooms

Room Types: Deluxe Double • Superior Deluxe Double • Luxury Room • Family Luxury Room • Deluxe Suite • Luxury Suite • Garden Villa • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is 100% smoke-free.
Best Room: Room 29 (Deluxe Double) in the main crescent building overlooks both the garden and northern Bath. Of the Master Suites, the Nelson Suite is particularly characterful and its spacious first floor terrace overlooks the garden.
For Families: Heritage and Master rooms can accommodate an extra bed or cot each. Family Master Room accommodates 2 adults as well as 2 children in an adjoining room.

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – Local Transport

Walking: The Jane Austen Centre is a 7-minute walk and the Herschel Museum of Astronomy is a 10-minute walk from the hotel; the Roman Baths, Victoria Art Gallery, Thermae Bath Spa, and Bath Abbey are all a 12-minute walk away; while the Circus and the Bath Assembly Rooms are within a 5-minute stroll; and the No. 1 Royal Crescent museum is just a few doors down. Numerous bars, restaurants, and boutiques in the surrounding streets.
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.

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – 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. (0.7 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. (0.8 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. (0.8 mile).

Best Nearby Restaurants

Olive Tree – Surprisingly affordable tasting menus, given that it’s Bath’s only Michelin-starred restaurant: 5 and 7-course, with vegan and vegetarian variations on the 7, featuring beautifully presented dishes crafted from regionally sourced produce. (0.3 mile).
Clayton’s Kitchen – With outdoor 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. (0.4 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).
The Scallop Shell – Unpretentious restaurant where the fish is the star. Sit at one of the plain wooden tables beneath the nautical paraphernalia and tuck into some of the best fish and chips of your life. (0.5 mile).
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. (0.5 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. (0.7 mile).

Nearby Cafes and Tea Shops

The Green Bird Cafe – Award-winning café where you can build your own bespoke breakfast using fresh, regionally sourced ingredients. Excellent vegan and vegetarian choices. (0.2 mile).
Colonna & Small’s – Bath’s best coffee shop is a must for bean aficionados. There are 3 guest espresso varieties on offer, as well as a rotating roster of single origin filter coffees sourced worldwide. (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. (0.8 mile).

Best Nearby Bars and Pubs

Marlborough Tavern – With its reclaimed furniture and tree-fringed patio with plenty of tables, this gastropub is a local favorite for freshly prepared roast dinners and other quality pub grub. A nearby playground makes it popular with families. (0.2 mile).
The Chequers – Venerable Georgian pub where the gastronomy is up a notch, and Jerusalem artichoke risotto and pork belly with kimchi sit alongside solid classics such burgers and beer-battered haddock. Decent wine list, plus local ales. (0.3 mile).
Sub 13 – This is simultaneously a champagne terrace, a terrific cocktail bar serving a good mix of classic and original cocktails, and a basement used for regular club nights, pulsing to hot beats until 3 am on weekends. (0.4 mile).
Circo – This chic cellar and lounge serves award-winning cocktails and tipples by the glass from an extensive list of bubbly and wine to a well-heeled clientele. The bar food is particularly good here, coming from Clayton’s Kitchen next door. (0.4 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. This central branch also does a full menu of bistro dishes. (0.4 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 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).

Nearby Shopping and Cool Shops

Red Rag Gallery – Contemporary art, sculptures, and limited edition prints by several dozen acclaimed British artists, including Peter Morgan, Elizabeth Ridgway, and Martin Llewellyn. (0.1 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. (0.4 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. (0.4 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. (0.4 mile).
Icarus Silver Jewellery – The handmade silver jewelry pieces here are all designed by owner Dilek Köroğlu, and bespoke designs can be agreed on by request. (0.5 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. (0.5 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. (0.5 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. (0.7 mile).
Bath Aqua Glass – This central branch directly opposite the Roman Baths entrance sells colorful wares from Bath’s famous glass-blowing workshop. (0.7 mile).

Nearby Attractions

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: 4-poster beds and wig-stretchers in the bedrooms, plus an elegant dining set in the grand dining room. (150m).
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. (0.3 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. (0.3 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 2 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. (0.4 mile).
Herschel Museum of Astronomy – Astronomy buffs shouldn’t miss a visit to the house-museum of William Herschel, a German musician with a passion for the stars. In 1781, he discovered Uranus from the garden of this very home, using a telescope that he himself had built. (0.5 mile).
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. (0.6 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. (0.7 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. (0.7 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. (0.7 mile).

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

Waitrose – Central branch of the high-end supermarket. (0.6 mile).
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. (0.7 mile).

Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa – The Hotel

The hotel entrance is located on the eastern part of the crescent.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa encompasses 2 of the terraced townhouses; the entrance is located in the eastern part of the crescent.

There’s a comfortable reading lounge, complete with fireplace.

The second guest lounge too has a fireplace.

The second guest lounge is also decorated with replicas of classic paintings and comes with a working fireplace.

The outdoor patio is inviting during the warmer months.

During the warmer months, breakfast and drinks can be taken out onto the patio.

The large garden has contemporary sculptures and a gazebo.

One of the hotel’s most attractive features is its large garden, dotted with contemporary sculptures and with a gazebo for wedding ceremonies.

Dower House Restaurant is renowned for its afternoon teas.

The on-site Dower House Restaurant is one of Bath’s best fine dining venues, complete with a dedicated children’s menu. It’s also well-known for its indulgent afternoon teas (1.30-6pm); book ahead.

Montagu Bar is well-known for its bespoke cocktails.

Open from 11am to 10pm, the Montagu Bar really shines when it comes to bespoke cocktails; classic cocktails and an impressive selection of champagnes are also served, as well as light bites.

The award-winning spa offers a full range of treatments.

At the back of the garden, there’s an award-winning spa, complete with indoor pool, full range of treatments, a Himalayan salt-infused sauna, and a herbal steam room. Open 7am to 9pm on weekdays and 8am to 8pm on weekends.

The rooms in the coach houses are quieter.

The hotel rooms are spread across the 2 Georgian townhouses as well as the coach house out in the garden. Rooms in the coach houses are more secluded and a little quieter.

The Heritage bedrooms are spacious enough for young families.

The medium-sized Heritage bedrooms look out either over the secluded gardens or the Royal Crescent Lawns, and can comfortably accommodate a couple with a young child.

Deluxe rooms come with antique features and queen beds.

Inside the historic coach house, the Deluxe rooms come with a mix of antique features, queen-sized beds, and tranquil views of the gardens.

Majority of the rooms feature bath-and-shower combos.

With the exception of the cheapest Deluxe rooms, which have walk-in showers only, the vast majority of rooms come equipped with bath-and-shower combos.

Master Bedrooms with separate living areas are ideal for young families.

Spacious, bright, and divided into separate bedroom and living areas, the Master Bedrooms are found both in the coach houses and the townhouses, and are ideal for couples traveling with a child under 11.

The Master Suite blends period features with modern amenities.

This Master Suite has a particularly stunning example of a Georgian stuccoed ceiling and blends period features with 21st-century amenities, such as an iPod dock and large flat-screen TV.

The spa pool has a very striking setting.

The pool inside the hotel spa has a particularly striking setting, and is open from 7am to 9pm on weekdays, and 8am to 8pm on weekends.

Suites have tall ceilings with stucco work.

One of the striking features of the suites are the tall ceilings complete with original stucco work.

Deluxe Suites are individually styled and spacious.

The individually styled Deluxe Suites feature spacious sitting areas, either 4-poster or king-sized beds, and views either over the gardens or the Royal Crescent Lawns.

No. 1 Royal Crescent museum is just steps away.

A few steps east of the hotel entrance, right on the edge of Royal Crescent, is No. 1 Royal Crescent, a restored Georgian mansion turned museum, complete with original furnishings.

Marlborough Tavern is a terrific gastropub nearby.

If you head west from the hotel, skirting the Crescent, and then walk one block north, you come to the Marlborough Tavern, a terrific gastropub that’s a firm family favorite (there’s a playground next to it).

The Chequers serves global dishes and local ales.

Another excellent gastropub is The Chequers, a few blocks east. Apart from dishes with global influences, it is great for local ales.

The award-winning Green Bird Café serves great vegan food.

One block south and half a block west is a tiny pedestrian lane. Halfway down is the award-winning Green Bird Café, a boon for vegans and vegetarians where you can put your own breakfast together.

Red Rag Gallery sells works of British artists.

There are several art galleries along the lane. The pick of the bunch is the Red Rag Gallery, down at the bottom, with sculptures, paintings, and limited edition prints by several dozen British artists.

Half a block east along Brock Street is The Circus restaurant, a local foodie favorite for its seasonal, wallet-friendly menu of Modern British dishes. Book ahead for lunch or dinner, or pop in anytime for a herbal tea or decent coffee.

The Circus serves several light dishes and salads.

A typical light dish at The Circus might be radicchio, apple, and walnut salad.

Roman Colosseum inspired buildings surround a green space nearby.

Just beyond is The Circus, a circular green space surrounded by three 1780s terraced buildings, similar in style to the Royal Crescent and inspired by Rome’s Colosseum.

Olive Tree at the Queensbury Hotel is Bath's sole Michelin-starred restaurant.

Skirt The Circus to the north, walk two blocks east and half a block north to reach the Queensbury Hotel. In the basement is Bath’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, the Olive Tree. Its tasting menus are wonderfully affordable for what they are and the place has a buzzy and informal vibe.

Bath Assembly Rooms and Fashion Museum features historic garments and ballrooms.

Half a block east of The Circus are the Bath Assembly Rooms, with frescoed ballrooms where 18th-century socialites attended balls and other special events. They are well worth a look.

The Royal collection at the Fashion Museum is very interesting.

Also inside is the Fashion Museum – an engrossing collection of garments from the 17th to the late 20th century. The Royal collection is particularly interesting.

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

Follow the pedestrian passageway south from the Assembly Rooms for 2 minutes and you emerge at Clayton’s Kitchen. It 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.

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

A block west and a block south of Clayton’s Kitchen is the Jane Austen Centre – a must for fans of Regency England fiction. You’ll be shown around by characters from her novels.

Corkage wine bar serves French, Italian, and Spanish wines.

If you cut west across the Queen Square, you’ll hit Corkage, a wine bar particularly strong on French, Italian, and Spanish wines. This central branch also welcomes dinner guests with a full menu of bistro dishes.

Colonna and Small’s is Bath's best coffee shop.

A few doors west of Corkage is Colonna and Small’s, Bath’s best coffee shop and laptop hangout, with single origin beans sourced from small-scale producers all over the world.

The Herschel Museum of Astronomy is along New King Street.

Follow Chapel Row southwest for 2 blocks and then head northwest along New King Street for half a block, and you come to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy – the former residence of the man who discovered Uranus using his homemade telescope.

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

If instead you take Old King St east and then John St south from the Jane Austen Centre, you’ll pass a couple of good pubs, and in a couple of minutes, you’ll arrive at the Canary Gin Bar (Bath is famous for its gin), with over 230 varieties and a long cocktail list.

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

Follow the street all the way south until it turns into a lane and hits Westgate Street. Half a block east is the mostly pedestrianized thoroughfare of Stall Street. Half a block south are the Roman Baths – Aquae Sulis to the Romans and the town’s biggest attraction. 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 as locally made gin and Asterix comics in Latin.

Kingston Parade square features street musicians.

Around the corner from the main Bath Abbey entrance is 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. Check rates and availability: Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath, England

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