8 Best Hotels In Bath For History Lovers

For some people, a hotel is simply a place to store their belongings, shower, and sleep. For others, the hotel is the most important part of their trip and it has to offer everything they need.

More commonly, however, the right hotel is an extension of your trip in terms of aesthetics and location. 

If you are interested in history, Bath is a must-see city. There are so many excellent historical sites that you can visit around the city.

However, there are also some incredible historical sites that you can actually stay in. In this article, we will look at some of the best hotels in Bath for history lovers. 

1. The Bath Priory

If you are into history, you have probably already heard about The Bath Priory.

This stunning Georgian house is settled within four acres of award-winning gardens that highlight the natural beauty that is hidden within the city. 

However, the highlight of this hotel for history buffs is the building itself. It is made of famous honey-coloured bath stone with stunning Georgian architecture.

Inside the hotel is a fascinating banquet room that still boasts original features including windows, moulding, and a beautiful fireplace. 

Pros

• Stunning Georgian architecture
• Beautiful, historical artwork 
• A banquet hall
• Gorgeous setting with award-winning gardens

Cons

• The Hotel, gardens, and spa can become very busy with tourists

2. Hotel Indigo Bath

Another hotel that boasts incredible historical architecture is the Hotel Indigo in Bath. The hotel fills an entire terrace of Grade I-listed townhouses in the centre of the city.

This is another stunning building that has perfectly preserved intricate Georgian design. The building was designed by John Wood the Elder. 

There is a restaurant located inside the hotel that is named The Elder after the designer of the building. This is the perfect place to soak up the magnificent intricacies of the building’s timeless design.

If you want to add another level of history to your trip, you can stay in the private townhouse at the Indigo.

The house’s 18th-century architecture has been preserved inside and out, complete with the original kitchen fireplace. 

Pros

• Grade I-listed Georgian building 
• Opportunity to stay in the private Georgian townhouse with original Georgian features
• Preserving an entire terrace makes you feel like you’ve travelled back in time
• The onsite restaurant named after the architect of the building adds another level of history to your stay

Cons

• The decor and facilities in the guest rooms are quite modern which can affect the ambience

3. Royal Hotel

Another stunning example of the incredible Georgian architecture that makes up the majority of central Bath is the Royal Hotel.

This beautiful hotel is located in the heart of the city which means that most attractions are within walking distance. This is the perfect way to see the intricacies and quirks of the city centre. 

The Royal Hotel is a grade II listed building which means that the architecture has been brilliantly preserved throughout the years.

The building was designed by the renowned Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It was opened as a hotel in 1846 and very little has changed since then in terms of design.

Each of the bedrooms has been individually decorated, in keeping with the character of the building. If you are looking for a hotel that can transport you back in time, the Royal Hotel is a great option. 

Pros

• Grade II listed status has protected the Georgian architecture
• Designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel who is important to the history of the area
• The rooms are designed to enhance the Georgian building with a few modern features
• Independent hotel provides a more personal experience than larger chains

Cons

• The central location and single-glazed windows mean it can be noisy at night occasionally

4. Dukes Bath

If you want to be truly immersed in all of the histories that Bath has to offer, you can’t go wrong with Dukes, Bath.

This boutique guest house is situated on Great Pulteney Street which is one of the most prestigious addresses in the city. The entire street is steeped in amazing history. 

The most impressive thing about this location is that novelist Jane Austen and anti-slavery activist William Wilberforce are counted among past residents.

In fact, there is a small museum on this street dedicated to Jane Austen’s life. The Dukes Hotel is made up of two stunning townhouses that have been converted into a single property.

Over the years, these two townhouses have been used as domestic homes and a school, providing plenty of personal history for the hotel.

Pros

• Located in a prestigious address within the city
• You can walk the same streets as Jane Austen and William Wilberforce every morning
• Plenty of personal history of the hotel’s building
• Museums nearby to immerse yourself in the local history

Cons

• Because it is an old building, WiFi connectivity isn’t brilliant in bedrooms

5. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

If you want to combine history with the most recognisable icon of the city, a stay at the Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa is a must.

The Royal Crescent Hotel is probably one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city of Bath and perhaps in the whole country. 

The iconic crescent was designed by John Wood the Younger. To this day, the Royal Crescent remains one of the greatest examples of Georgian architecture in the UK.

The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa is made up of two townhouses in the crescent that have been joined to make a single residence.

Pros

• Iconic location and building
• Designed by John Wood the Younger
• The building is steeped in history and has incredible surroundings
• High-quality spa on site

Cons

• Plenty of tourists are around at all times taking photographs

6. Harington’s Boutique Hotel

Sticking with the theme of amazing, historical architecture in Bath, Harington’s Boutique Hotel is a perfect specimen.

This gorgeous 18th-century boutique-style hotel is the perfect place to relax after exploring the city. Staying here means that you never have to take a break from the wonderful history of this beautiful city. 

The hotel is located on a stunning cobbled street in the heart of Bath city centre, transporting you back in time instantly.

Because of the brilliant central location, attractions such as the Roman baths and restaurants are all within walking distance.

There are also plenty of museums nearby to get your fix of history including the Jane Austen Museum, Sally Lunn’s Museum, and the Bath Postal Museum. 

Pros

• Guests are immersed in history with the preserved 18th-century building
• Close proximity to plenty of museums
• Walking distance from the Roman baths
• High levels of service throughout the hotel

Cons

• The central location can be quite noisy, especially at weekends

7. The Francis Hotel

If you are looking for a hotel that has its own history, is close to historical sites, and gets itself noticed, you can’t go wrong with The Francis Hotel.

This building is an incredible example of historic architecture. The hotel is situated in a coveted spot on Queen Square that exudes all the class and sophistication of this city.

As with many of these hotels, The Francis Hotel started life as a terrace of townhouses. It then became a boarding house. In 1884, it first became a hotel.

Part of the building’s frontage was destroyed in 1942 by a 500 kg bomb during the Bath Blitz. It was lovingly restored to its former 18th-century glory after the war and is still going strong today.

Pros

• Interesting personal history of the building
• Very close to other sites of historical interest
• Beautiful Georgian architecture
• Plenty of experience offering high levels of customer service

Cons

• The central location is very close to city nightlife and may be loud

8. Limpley Stoke Hotel

If you are looking for a hotel that sits a little further away from the city centre, Limpley Stoke Hotel is the perfect place to base your historical trip.

Limpley Stoke is a small village just outside of Bath that is steeped in history. The village is the site of a Saxon settlement that features a Saxon church with some Norman additions. 

Limpley Stoke Hotel is in a stunning location with amazing views of the Limpley Stoke Valley. You can explore the stunning Saxon village or take a short trip into Bath to explore the Roman Baths.

If you are happy to travel a little further, you can visit Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and The Cotswold from the hotel. The perfect location for a trip that is drenched in local history.

Pros

• Located in a stunning rural setting
• The hotel and surrounding village have plenty of history
• Easy links to Bath city centre
• Easy links to other historical sites of interest

Cons

• Lack of local amenities compared to a city centre hotel

Final Thoughts

There are so many wonderful hotels that you can stay in during your trip to Bath. Because the city is steeped in history, there are plenty of hotels that have their own interesting history that can add to your trip.

The hotels above are a small selection of the best hotels for history lovers.

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