The Bath Priory Hotel, Restaurant & Spa, Bath – Review

The Bath Priory Hotel, Restaurant & Spa is renowned for it`s luxurious and sumptuous interiors, exceptional service and outstanding character. This award-winning hotel is sister to country hideaway Gidleigh Park in Chagford, Devon so naturally we had high expectations that it would of course match if not succeed its reputation! We certainly weren`t disappointed every aspect was carefully considered with the guest in mind.

With a traditional decor and modern comforts, a stately restaurant by two Michelin star chef, Michael Caines and grounds fit for a country manor, you wouldn`t guess you`re just a 10-20 minute stroll from Bath, possibly England`s finest Georgian city through leafy Victoria Park (highly worth a stroll!).

It`s one of those places that you aspire to stay in anytime you`re away from home – making you feel as though you are a guest in a wonderful private house rather than a hotel. We loved the intimate and private feel of this hotel, made even more special by the outstanding courtesy of all who work there.

All the bedrooms are named after flowers and some are more unique than others boasting four-poster beds and “Romeo and Juliet” balconies. We stayed in `Lavender`; a lovely space comprising of an open plan sleeping and living area with a fantastic bathroom. However, if you`re looking for a higher degree of privacy and greater sense of space, the Crescent Suites, that opened in June 2012 offers six luxuriously refurbished rooms affording jaw dropping views of the rooflines, gardens and the city of Bath. Whichever room you opt for will have those special touches including fresh flowers and fruit, bottled water that is replenished should you run out, bottlegreen sparkling presses and lemonade, while big fluffy toweling robes are hung in the bathroom just waiting to be slipped into!

Before dinner we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks in the stately drawing room in front of the open fire and whilst choosing our two courses from the a la carte menu we admired the portraits on the walls. Dinner was served in the dining room and we had a fabulous table overlooking the garden. The food we ate and the service we encountered was exquisite, which made for a very fine gastronomic experience – fine dining at its very best. A sommelier will help you select the perfect wine for your menu choice, in our case a delicious deep red wine to accompany our partridge. The raspberry soufflé and sorbet was an extra course we indulged in and comes highly recommended, as it was utterly superb.

The following day we enjoyed some time in the Garden Spa, it`s small but has enough facilities to keep you occupied, well rested and relaxed. It has a light and airy fitness suite, heated indoor and outdoor pools, a poolside sauna and elliptical steam pod. Should you wish to indulge in any beauty treatments there are four treatment suites, which provide a tranquil and calm environment in which you can totally relax. However, it`s advisable to book your treatment beforehand to avoid disappointment.