REVIEW: Staycation at The Abbey Hotel - Beautiful Bath UNESCO World Heritage City
Inspired by the "Rediscover Bath" campaign from Bath BID, our Sales & Marketing Director Rachael realised that although she had visited Bath on many occasions for shopping trips or business, she had never been with her family to really discover this beautiful city and all that it has to offer. Read this review to find out what Rachael's staycation entailed...
Like most we had been unable to travel this year, so decided to book a weekend stay at The Abbey Hotel. With a 7-year-old daughter it was important to ensure that everyone's needs were met; we were looking for a mixture of heritage, tourist attractions, shopping, family fun, dining out and Autumn walks. Bath did not disappoint.
The Abbey Hotel is a large modern Georgian townhouse, now part of the Tribute Portfolio group, and it is the perfect location to explore the city. Centrally located in Bath's old town quarter overlooking the beautiful Parade Gardens and next to Pulteney Bridge, it's just a short stroll to the railway station, parking, Bath Abbey, Roman Baths, and many other heritage sites - so the location is excellent!
The boutique hotel is modern and quirky with a real cosy feeling. From our arrival the staff were simply exceptional and are a real testimony to the hotel offering first class service. They really made our daughter feel special and even left her a letter, cupcake and activity items in our room.
We stayed in a gallery room which offered beautiful views. Our room was fully equipped for all our needs. It had a double bed with a comfy Hypnos mattress, a pull-out sofa bed, hospitality tray, Nespresso machine, air conditioning, safe, fridge, TV, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, fluffy robes, toiletries, and bottled water. It was exquisite in its design, yet offers a real cosy home feeling. Absolutely perfect for our staycation.
Our next adventure took us a short stroll to Better Bath Sports & Leisure Centre, which after a £10 million refurb offers a fabulous range of activities for all the family. From the Better Extreme Trampoline Park, 8 ten pin bowling alleys open 7 days a week, a new soft play facility, as well as a diner serving hot and cold food and drinks.
We had pre-booked in for a family swim session. The centre offers 3 swimming pools; the heated leisure pool, with flume and water play features, offers something to make swimming fun for kids of all ages – and mum and dad too.
Later that afternoon we took a walk round Baths famous attractions taking in the beautiful Georgian architecture and exploring the backstreet shopping gems, the remarkable Bath Abbey, The Roman Baths, the awe-inspiring Royal Crescent, and the Pulteney Bridge to name a few.
Returning to the hotel, we relaxed and readied ourselves for our evening out. We had booked for The Real Italian Pizza Company - an award-winning restaurant serving up authentic Italian pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven - which was open for indoor dining, alfresco dining, and delivery.
The antipasti starter sharing board was fantastic to enjoy whilst watching the fantastical spectacle and buzz of the kitchen. Nothing makes you feel like you're getting authentic good pizza quite like seeing dough tossed in the air. The pizzas were as described by our daughter, "the best I had ever tasted".
After our meal we continued the authentic Italian experience by visiting The Real Italian Ice Cream Company next door. As well as warming coffee and hot chocolate drinks, there was a huge array of delicious desserts to chose from including homemade gelato sundaes, freshly baked Belgian waffles, freak shakes, freshly made crepes, affogato, cookie dough, and homemade real Italian ice cream, all with selections of sweet and savoury toppings and sauces. The menu itself is truly scrumptious and suitable to every taste imaginable. To read my full review click here!
There is clearly such Italian passion and creativity that goes into all creations, which oozes through to the taste. A must visit.
Returning to the hotel we finished off our wonderful day with a nightcap in The Abbey Hotel's ArtBar with its stunning local artwork to display a chic, modern feel. Ensure you checkout the ornate ceiling decor!
After a divine sleep and lazy lie in, we ate a substantial and perfectly cooked breakfast in the hotel which offered a varied selection including a traditional full English, breakfast rolls, vegan options, teas and coffees, and due to current covid restrictions, a breakfast bag consisting of juice, croissant, cereal bar and condiments. We checked out and left our luggage at the hotel while we continued to explore the city.
The morning consisted of lovely Autumn walks around Parade Gardens and Royal Victoria Park taking in the stunning Bath skyline followed by a shopping adventure. With Southgate Shopping Centre, Milsom Place and independent retailers, Bath boasts one of best selections of shops and boutiques in the South West.
We returned to the Abbey Hotel Kitchen for Sunday Lunch. It's clear the careful skill and thought that has gone into creating the menu which is everything you would expect from a traditional Sunday Lunch, whilst being extremely reasonably priced.
Served from 12pm - 6pm, the Sunday Lunch menu offers vegetarian options, a wonderful and nutritious children's menu, and a varied complimenting wine menu. The relaxed dining room is cleverly contemporary displaying stunning local artwork, offering the perfect ambience for a cosy, relaxed, informal Sunday Lunch suitable for all and a lovely space for special occasions. Read my full Sunday Lunch review here!
Bath really is a truly remarkable city and ticks all the boxes for either a family staycation visit, romantic break or day trip.
There is so much for locals and visitors to discover whether new or returning. With all the many wonderful things this city has to offer, we will be returning without hesitation and next time will certainly be staying for longer.
