The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

There are few places that manage to combine heritage, elegance and true comfort without tipping into stuffiness — but The Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath gets the balance exactly right. Set within the sweeping curve of the city’s iconic Georgian crescent, the hotel delivers luxury in a way that’s calm, confident and quietly impressive. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t need to be.

From the moment we arrived, it was clear we were in very good hands. The staff were faultless — attentive without hovering, warm without scripted politeness. It’s the kind of service that feels effortless, but clearly isn’t. You’re treated less like a hotel guest and more like someone who’s been personally invited to stay by the Duchess herself.

Within 20 minutes of arrival, I was sipping champagne in the drawing room, flicking through a hardback book on 18th-century garden design, and genuinely wondering if I should take up letter writing. That’s the kind of mood this place puts you in — indulgent, thoughtful, and slightly elevated from your usual self.

The highlight of our stay, without question, was the six-course tasting menu with a wine pairing. Every dish was thoughtful and beautifully plated, with just the right mix of ambition and creativity — really well-executed, delicious food.

What really took it to another level was the wine. Not only was it absolutely on point, but the sommelier’s enthusiasm and knowledge were genuinely engaging. There’s something refreshing about learning why something works as you’re tasting it, without it feeling like a lecture. It made the whole experience more immersive. I found myself taking photos and notes between courses — and later, back in our room, ordering bottles of the wine to be delivered to our home for after the trip. (One particularly oaky chardonnay somehow made it into two cases. I regret nothing.)

The spa isn’t vast, but that’s actually part of its charm. It’s calm, well-designed and not overcrowded. The pool is small, but ideal if you want to fit in a few lengths before dinner — I managed 50 and announced it smugly while slipping into my robe. The sauna and steam room were both perfect, and just what was needed after the long drive from the South-East. And the hot tub? That became my personal decompression zone. I managed to sit back, close my eyes and genuinely switch off — a rare feat these days.

There’s a quiet confidence to the spa experience here. It doesn’t need gimmicks or a sprawling wellness complex. It offers exactly what you need to relax — and delivers it well.

Beyond the hotel walls, the gardens are a proper treat, perfectly kept but not overly formal. They’re ideal for wandering with a coffee or winding down after a treatment. One morning, I spotted a guest reading Le Monde under a tree in a linen suit. Of course he was. The whole place seems to gently encourage elegance — not performative, just instinctive.

You’re right in the heart of historic Bath, but the grounds are so peaceful that it’s easy to forget the centre of the city is just a short walk away. That’s another thing that makes this place special: the location. You’re nestled in a Unesco World Heritage Site, yet somehow, it feels like a retreat. The bustle of the city is just beyond the gates, but inside, it’s all calm tones, clipped lawns and the occasional scent of lavender drifting by.

The Royal Crescent Hotel doesn’t shout. It doesn’t have to. It’s elegant, immersive and wonderfully restorative. Whether you’re here for a big celebration or just in need of a proper pause from real life, it gives you the space — and the setting — to breathe a little deeper and eat exceptionally well.

This isn’t a trendy 'luxury lifestyle' hotel. It’s the real thing — grown-up, gracious and grounded. You leave feeling like you’ve stayed somewhere that actually knows what luxury means: thoughtfulness, ease and detail done properly.