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Original poster

Weekend away in Bath

21 replies

Jellybel · 17/03/2022 21:22

Hi ladies ...DH and I are looking to book a child free weekend way in Bath soon and I wanted to check if it's best to splash out on a really nice spa hotel or saving the cash and just going for something mid range and then spending more on eating out and going to the Roman baths. Don't know much about Bath and part of me usually just wants to relax in a nice hotel when I go away but I'm wondering if there's so much to do in Bath that it's best to just use the hotel as a place to sleep?

OP posts:
Original poster
Jellybel · 17/03/2022 21:35

Forgot to mention that both DH and I work full time and have a toddler who barely sleeps at the moment so looking to have a relaxing time while making the most of being in a beautiful city

OP posts:
Tallesttiptoes · 17/03/2022 21:37

I don’t know but I have been thinking about a weekend away in Bath so jumping on your thread to catch some tips as well! Hopefully someone more informed will be along soon Grin

Original poster
Jellybel · 17/03/2022 22:13

Yes I'm dying to go. We're having a rare child free couple of nights away and I'm really hoping to make the most of it. This is our first break since 3 years ago

OP posts:
emsyj37 · 17/03/2022 22:16

DH and I had a weekend in Bath before we had kids and stayed at The Royal Crescent. The spa was lovely and it is a beautiful location. We had dinner in the restaurant both nights which was pretty fancy.

mdh2020 · 17/03/2022 22:17

The Roman Baths are great to visit but pack a swimsuit and book a slot at the Swimming Pool where you can swim on the roof.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 17/03/2022 22:20

Love Bath but was really disappointed with the Thermae Bath Spa last time we went - they ballsed up our booking and were really rude and dismissive about it. Plus it was so overcrowded and just looked tired. So it might be worth splashing out on a nice hotel - I’ve stayed at the Bath Priory which has a lovely little spa in it and gorgeous gardens.

Bells3032 · 17/03/2022 22:20

We stayed at the bathen house Hotel. Was gorgous but do need a car. But much cheaper than the ones in town. We got a suite for less money than standards most other places and the place was faultless (and I am a fussy customer).

I didn't really like the thermae bath thing. But I went in Sept 20 and found they didn't take covid very seriously.

But if you like board games then thirsty meeples cafe is amazing :)

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 17/03/2022 22:21

You MUST go to the Sally Lunn cafe though, and the Pump Rooms for afternoon tea.

Original poster
Jellybel · 18/03/2022 08:16

Thank you! So bloody excited. Ok it looks like it's worth going for a nice hotel then...was just worried we wouldn't be in it much if there's a lot to do out and about.
Will give Thermae spa a miss and look to go to the Roman Baths. Pump rooms and Sally Lunn cafe are on the list too now....DH and I are foodies so just what I needed Smile

OP posts:
65honeybee · 18/03/2022 11:59

Following with interest! We love Bath and must be due another trip soon. I would second the idea of looking at hotels just outside (you can get park and ride easily into the city from various directions.) you'll not only get more for your money but probably a better nights sleep too. Bath is beautiful but inevitably there's night life noise, we've stayed in the city centre before and not had a great nights sleep with external noise. We then tried a B&B on the outskirts, Abbey Rise, lovely place but it's on a main road out, and the traffic and sirens were a pain all night. Last time we stayed at Old Mill hotel outside the city.

Sally Lunn has got to be done, though it can get very busy so pick your time. The Roman Baths are a must. Look at the Holburne museum, there's also a fashion museum which has interesting exhibitions from time to time. Have a wander along Walcott street, there are some great little independent shops. The spa I agree with pp is a bit tired and can also get crazy busy. Rooftop pool is pleasant but having done it once I wouldn't bother again.

reluctantbrit · 18/03/2022 12:19

For you who stay outside Bath - how easy is it to go back and forth without a car?

Myself and 3. friends plan to go in December for the Christmas market. and take the train from London. It's a birthday thing, we all have December birthdays, and plan to. have. a nice dinner but don't fancy paying over. the odds for. cabs.

65honeybee · 18/03/2022 12:34

You can get the park and ride bus into the city centre from 3 different directions, buses are really cheap and frequent, about every 10 or 15 mins at peak times. If you book somewhere to stay where you can get to a park and ride easily then that would be my recommendation. You can get a nicer place for your money if you're staying outside Bath. Not that there's anything wrong with the city hotels and air bnb, we stayed in some lovely ones but omg they're expensive and we've come to the conclusion we'd rather have the money to spend on nice meals out and doing stuff while we're there. Plus the noise factor- if you're the sort of person who likes quiet at night time, you don't want night life or traffic noise.

Have you done the Christmas market before? We usually visit Bath in spring or summer but I've heard the market is a great atmosphere but oh so busy!

Soundofshuna · 18/03/2022 12:39

I wouldn’t bother with Sally Lunns- massive queues for an overpriced bread bun! They aren’t very nice. There are much nicer places to eat.

Ratatoo · 18/03/2022 12:41

I thought Sally Lunn was pretty mediocre too. I wouldn't bother again and wish we didn't bother.

Peasock · 18/03/2022 12:42

@reluctantbrit

For you who stay outside Bath - how easy is it to go back and forth without a car?

Myself and 3. friends plan to go in December for the Christmas market. and take the train from London. It's a birthday thing, we all have December birthdays, and plan to. have. a nice dinner but don't fancy paying over. the odds for. cabs.

I'd recommend getting a train anyway to be honest, parking is expensive and a nightmare- and traffic isn't fun. The Christmas markets and everything else really is in walking distance, if you did want to venture further afield to villages outside of Bath etc then there is a bus station right by the train station. Obviously depending on mobility of everyone, but I have never got a taxi from somewhere in Bath to another part of it, its not actually that big really.
Peasock · 18/03/2022 12:43

Sorry, saw you said outside of Bath! Doh. There is quite a good bus network, if you find somewhere you're interested in staying and then just check traveline I would.

bellabelly · 18/03/2022 12:49

We went to Bath for a few days this summer and it's such a lovely city to wander round. I'd stay somewhere central if you can but be prepared to leave your car at the park and ride and get one of the very frequent buses into the city centre. DH insisted on trying to drive in to drop our stuff off and had to admit defeat and go to the park and ride, as originally suggested by me. Grin (One way system is tricky if you are driving and a crucial bridge was closed for repair when we went!)

I'm pleased to hear that the Thermae Spa is not that great - I looked on their website but it would have been ££££s for a family of six so we gave it a miss. If you do stay at the Royal Crescent Hotel, they'll valet park your car for you iirc. It's many years since I stayed there pre-kids but I remember it being v special. There's a fab museum about Georgian life at the Royal Crescent too. We stayed at a Landmark Trust place in the centre of town this time, great if you want self-catering.

VicSynix · 18/03/2022 12:53

If you're a foodie and like Vietnamese food, there is an amazing small restaurant called Noya's Kitchen - near the student area. Really good food, worth booking for.

We love the Holbourne Museum, quirky permanent display and good exhibitions, lovely cafe at the park overlooking gardens.

Some good bookshops too, if that's your thing - look out for Mr's B Emporium and Persephone Books.

Aroundapound · 18/03/2022 12:54

I loved the thermae spa and rooftop pool.

weebarra · 18/03/2022 13:14

DM and I were there last weekend but stayed in Bristol. If you're foodies (and like wine) the Beckford Bottle Shop is great - nice wine and interesting small plates! Very near the Assembly Rooms.

mumonthehill · 18/03/2022 13:18

Stayed at the Macdonald hotel and spa in bath a couple of times and really enjoyed it and the spa is lovely. Easy walk into town.

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