QUEENSBERRY HOTEL
Handsome townhouse hotel in the heart of Georgian Bath
BANG IN THE HEART OF GEORGIAN Bath, The Queensberry sits in an enviable location minutes from all the city’s historic attractions. Occupying four classic Georgian terraced houses, it takes its name from the Marquess of Queensberry.
Step inside, and it’s soon apparent that this smart Bath boutique hotel’s contemporary styling stays brilliantly in tune with the building’s period setting. The Queensberry’s high 18th century stucco ceilings, wooden balustrades, cornices and wood panelling are deftly set off by
modern watercolours, suede sofas, leather-back chairs and restful colour combos with the odd vivid splash.
Modern simplicity mixes effortlessly with the heritage surrounds. You might spot a lime green sofa with coffee coloured cushions set against a taupe wall, burgundy velvet cushions on a cream bedspread or bright orange vases flanking a Baroque style mirror. All very chic.
Hit the spot
Minutes from Bath’s famous Royal Crescent.
Bedtime
Go for the four poster suite with its DVD player, iPod dock and decadent bathroom complete with huge rolltop bath and chaise longue.
Be savvy
There’s a rabbit warren of corridors – though you can cheat by using the lift.
Be smitten
Chic Bath townhouse beauty.
Biscuit and ivory
The Queensberry's 29 bedrooms – which have the pleasing informality of staying with an eminently stylish friend – are all different. Soothing shades of ivory, biscuit and chocolate are accented with splashes of terracotta, charcoal and
earthy greens, boldly patterned wallpaper or jazzy rugs. Fluffy robes and Egyptian cotton sheets ramp up the comfort factor.
Sleek white and chrome bathrooms – some with freestanding baths and his-and-hers basins – are stocked with White Company toiletries, while technics include a CD player, flatscreen TV, Ipod dock and DAB digital radio. Suites – each stylishly different – have
expansive sofas where you can be as slothful as you like.
Downstairs, you’ll find cosy lounges where fires burn in winter, a well stocked bar and a
secluded walled garden perfect for al fresco cocktails (or in my case a pre-dinner Scotch). That's not forgetting The Queensberry’s Olive Tree restaurant, feted as one of the best in the West Country. Paul Burrows' award-winning modern British cuisine was unquestionably the high point of our stay – made even better by helpful and friendly staff.
The Queensberry Hotel was reviewed for Room for Romance by
Jonathan Hewitt
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Dining in
Settle into the sleek suede banquettes of the Queensberry’s Olive Tree restaurant, one of Bath’s top dining-out addresses, for a taste of innovative modern British cuisine.
Head chef Paul Burrows and his brigade use freshest local ingredients, and great choices include rump of Wiltshire lamb with pearl barley and red wine risotto and caper and shallot butter,
venison in cider vinegar and Wiltshire pork belly with plum fritters. Round off as we did with the delectable chocolate cheesecake – and make time to savour the excellent 21-page wine list.
Dining out
Bath has dozens of bars and restaurants. You’re just five minutes walk from the Hole in the Wall and Beaujolais – both longstanding local favourites. Good nearby gastro pubs include the Marlborough Tavern, while you can enjoy a posh afternoon tea – cucumber sandwiches and all – at the Regency Pump Room.
Where?
The Olive Tree restaurant at The Queensberry.
What’s cooking?
Try the pan-fried scallops with celeriac puree, apple and pecan salad followed by Cornish red mullet. The chocolate cheesecake and toffee rice pudding are both winners.
Dress the part
Definitely the smarter side of casual.
Top table?
A corner banquette.
See & Do
Soak in the rooftop waters of Thermae Bath Spa to see why the Romans made such as fuss about Aquae Sulis (Bath’s ancient name), then tour the original Roman baths around the corner. Stroll around Royal Crescent and The Circus – Bath’s architectural masterpieces – and call into the Fashion museum at the famous Assembly Rooms. Jane Austen fans should head for the museum of the same name, and art lovers will find plenty of appealing galleries.
Shop
Load up your plastic – Bath is heaving with chic boutiques and artisan shops. The Walcot Street area is great for quirky artworks, antiques and decorative items.
After dark
Bath’s nightlife is small but perfectly formed. Book tickets for a production at the Theatre Royal, and have interval drinks at the candlelit Garrick pub next door. While there are plenty of pubs, it’s not a late-late city.
Dates
July
Sample the best of locally produced fare at the Taste of Bath Festival in Victoria Park.
May - June
Bath comes alive during the Bath Music festival with street parties, parades and music for every taste.
GETTING THERE
Location
Russel Street, Bath BA1 2QF
Parking
There is free guest parking, and a valet parking service.
Trains
Bath Spa station - one mile
Taxis
GBP 5 from the station
Airport
Bristol International – 15 miles
Rooms and suites
26 rooms, three suites
Special features
Bedrooms come with a flatscreen TV, CD player and DAB radio, while bathrooms are generously stocked with White Company smellies.
Also…
You can lose yourselves in the fabulous four-poster suite, or have a tete a tete over drinks in the private garden.
ESSENTIAL INFO
Rates guide
GBP 115 - 425
Open/closed
Open all year
Check-in
2pm
Check-out
11:30am
Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends
Breakfast
Full breakfast (charged extra) is served until 10am (10:30 on Sundays).
Room service
Available from midday till 10pm.
Children
Welcome
Pets
No
Air conditioning
No
Languages
English
Wedding license?
No
Your contact
Carly Lord – front of house manager