The Best Hotels In Bath & Somerset

Homewood, Bath

Eclectic, luxurious and slightly eccentric, this grand Georgian country house sits in 20 acres of magnificent gardens and grounds, filled with creative artworks and ultra-modern indulgences. One of the latest additions to PoB Hotels‘ exemplary portfolio, it stands above the village of Freshford, with its picturesque viaduct and a train line that runs to both Bradford-on-Avon and Bath, just 15 minutes away. Harnessing the spirit of the Roman’s love of a good spa, Homewood has created a pampering haven for guests, offering some wonderful treatments, an indoor hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room as well as a heated outdoor pool.

Abbey Ln, Freshford, Bath BA2 7TB

pobhotels.com

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath

In the heart of beautiful Bath (as seen on screen in Netflix hit Bridgerton), lies The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, a five-star destination expertly combining first-class service and meticulous attention to detail. John Wood the Younger’s 250-year-old Georgian terrace remains truly magnificent to this day. The hotel’s 45 suites and rooms, most of which offer unrivalled views over the hotel’s pretty herbaceous borders or the Crescent’s impressive lawn, are among the UK’s most memorable places to stay.

The Royal Cresent, 16 Royal Cres, Bath BA1 2LS

royalcrescent.co.uk

Number One Bruton, Bruton

Set in the thriving market town of Bruton, this Georgian townhouse turned hotel has 12 rooms set around a pretty courtyard (designed by Penelope Hobhouse). Somerset’s craft heritage is evident throughout: stay in the main house, with its rich colour palette, staircase that winds up to the eaves and aged elm floor; in one of the cottages, all warm stone floors and Morris textiles; or The Forge, which combines ancient beams and wooden cladding with cosy rugs and ticking stripes.

Don’t miss dinner at Briar, the hotel’s brand-new restaurant helmed by chef Sam Lomas. A friendly neighbourhood-style spot, it is a celebration of Somerset’s bountiful natural larder, focused around hyper-seasonal produce and foraged ingredients.

As well as the lovely shops in Bruton to discover, there is plenty to see close by: the Hauser & Wirth gallery, The Newt, Stourhead and Frome are all within a ten-minute drive.

1 High St, Bruton BA10 0AB

numberonebruton.com

Artist Residence Bristol

When Justin and Charlotte Salisbury were hunting for a site for their latest Artist Residence hotel, they settled on an old boot factory in Bristol’s artsy St Paul’s community, a stone’s throw from the city’s buzzing centre. To start with, the building had all of the qualities the pair typically looks for – a nod to the past, original beams and exposed brick walls – to which they added their signature industrial-luxe style, an eclectic mix of vintage and boho furniture and a collection of original, specially commissioned artworks by local artists. The 23 rooms in the boutique hotel range from the super-cosy Shoe Box, which has arched floor-to-ceiling windows, to the vast Artist Suite – think Georgian cornicing, views over leafy Portland Square and a roll-top tub in the bathroom. The idea was to create a proper, vibrant neighbourhood hang-out so there’s a real emphasis on the social spaces that are open to everyone: a coffee shop, bar, casual all-day restaurant, intimate dining room offering a seasonal menu, garden and event spaces for private hire.

28 Portland Square, St Paul’s, Bristol BS2 8SA

artistresidence.co.uk

The Newt In Somerset, Hadspen

You probably know The Newt: the Grade II-listed Georgian Estate, Hadspen House, with its 800-acres sprinkled with wildflowers and orchids. Their 17-bedroom offshoot from the main house, The Farmyard, is one of the most glamorous getaways in the UK countryside. Or, their new Gate Lodge, opening this summer, provides a unique, two-bedroom hideaway with unexpectedly high ceilings and sumptuous Farrow & Ball interiors. Walk, cycle, or drive with an electric golf buggy to reach the former stable, cheese barn, and grain store.

A359, Hadspen, Castle Cary BA7 7NG

thenewtinsomerset.com

The Pig Near Bath, Pensford

This may be just one of several rural-themed PIG hotels, but its launch back in 2014 broke new ground for the Home Grown Hotels group: a proper, grown-up hotel that has all the country house attributes (space, proportions, dreamy views), but none of the drawbacks (staid, formal, eye-wateringly expensive). It’s fun and glamorous without ever losing sight of comfort. Once again Judy Hutson created the look: Belgian tiles, quirky wallpaper, velvet curtains, oil paintings and chandeliers, plus a wonderfully louche private dining room based on the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet: ragamuffins feasting in a castle. As at all THE PIGs (except for the city-centred THE PIG-in-the-wall), the kitchen garden is the heartbeat of the hotel, with the gardeners and chefs working hand in hand to create plates brimming with seasonal flavours. What they can’t grow on-site is sourced from the best local farmers, fishermen and foragers, the foundation of their signature 25 Mile Menu. And keep an eye out for dishes flavoured with honey from their very own hives – you can even pick up a jar to take home with you.

Hunstrete House, Hunstrete, Pensford, Bath BS39 4NS

thepighotel.com

The Langford Inn, Lower Langford

In the heart of the pretty village of Lower Langford, on the edge of the rolling Mendip Hills, The Langford is a historic village pub dating back to the 17th century. Newly refurbished inside and out, the pub’s design is decidedly sophisticated and photogenic, with smart leather banquettes, floral patterned chairs and statement lighting. Here, the kitchen’s passion for field-to-fork sustainability is reflected in the menu, with innovative seasonal dishes sitting alongside hearty pub classics, all created from the best ingredients the local Somerset larder has to offer.

Lower Langford, Bristol BS40 5BL

butcombe.com

The Talbot Inn, Mells

The owners of the excellent Beckford Arms and The Bath Arms at Longleat, Dan Brod and Charlie Luxton, and their third partner, Matt Greenlees, scored an immediate hit with this second atmospheric inn, in Mells, with its lovely old stone houses. Enter through the historic carriage arch, which leads to a cobbled courtyard backed by a succession of cosy dining areas – one a map room, another with a roaring fire and yet another with a bar. There’s a separate sitting room, fashioned from a 500-year-old barn. There’s excellent pub grub, from dayboat-landed fish and chips to well-aged steaks.

Selwood St, Mells, Frome BA11 3PN

talbotinn.com

Broad Street Townhouse, Bath

Just five minutes walk from the Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa, Broad Street Townhouse is the latest opening from Butcombe Brewery. Set in a Grade II-listed limestone building, it has 11 sumptuous, individually decorated bedrooms (choose from Snug, Signature or Signature Plus, which is set up for families with an extra sofa bed) split over three storeys. The look is modern-rustic; the colour palette calming and contemporary ranging from taupe walls to dusky pink suede headboards. Lovely details include photography and illustration art prints above the bed, and in the bathroom, colourful patterned floor tiles and organic Bramley products.

2, The Pig & Fiddle, 32 Saracen St, Broad St, Bath BA1 5BR

butcombe.com