THE HOTEL REVIEW: ABBEY HOTEL, BATH, UK

abbey-hotel-exteriorImage: The Abbey Hotel

Review: Dex & Val Jones 

The Abbey Hotel is situated on a main thoroughfare on the corner of North Parade in Bath centre, in-keeping with the traditional sandstone design of the Georgian period that expanded the wealth of this affluent spa city. It is literally minutes from some of the most iconic sites in Bath; The Abbey, Roman Baths and the famous Bath rugby ground but to name a few. The reception staff were courteous and friendly. As we arrived at the hotel the room wasn’t quite ready (we arrived two hours early), but needless to say we had no hesitation enjoying a cold drink on the relaxing terrace situated on the promenade outside of the main entrance.

Cosy wicker furniture on a spacious area of artificial grass with large square parasols, halogen heating and planters containing miniature olive trees made you feel like you could be on a chic street anywhere in Europe.

img_1633-2Image: Dex Jones

Next came a visit to the Roman Baths , just a two minute walk around the corner.

Armed with a complimentary narrative recorder from the reception we slowly wandered the corridors and walkways following in the footsteps of the Cities long gone elite Roman occupants, a must see for young and old, it conjures images of wealthy bathers relying on the elixir of life to invigorate them.

30365918Image: The Abbey Hotel

Back at the hotel, accessed by the stairs or lift the spacious third floor premium large room with en-suite modern fitted bathroom with matching bath robes, n exhilarating rainwater shower, circular porcelain hand basin,  chrome fittings and bespoke lighting. The marble tiled flooring styles the bathroom on the opulence of the Roman era with a splash of Georgian extravagance.

The bedroom furniture was spacious and comfortable with a green velvet chaise lounge and king-size bed. In the room was a selection of tea and coffees, hair dryer, alarm radio and a fan for the warmer evenings. As an extra modern touch there was a personalised ipad showing all the hotels amenities and local information which was a welcome addition.

Before dinner we couldn’t resist a cocktail on the terrace, I picked the champagne cocktail whilst the waiter mixed a Mojito for my husband, time passed a little slower sipping the cocktail, watching the bustling street quell while reading the dinner menu.

The award-winning Allium restaurant is spacious and well laid out with soft ambient lighting creating a a warm glow, and an extensive well balanced menu. I opted for the pepper marinated beef salad to start followed by Chorizo poached haddock that melted in the mouth. My husband chose the double scotched quail eggs and a medium cooked rib eye with chunky chips and the usual inclusions; mushrooms, tomatoes and homemade onion rings.The presentation and flavour was amazing and to compliment the food the very courteous Sommelier personally picked a Valpolicella Ripasso red wine subtlety complementing both red meat and the fish dish.

It wasn’t difficult, after such fantastic food to be tempted by the dessert menu, I chose the Tonka bean pannacotta with honeycomb,poached pear and salted caramel ice cream, with my husband picking the Autumn plums; a mix of plum purée, almonds, blackberries and hazelnut crumble.

allium-restaurant-at-abbey-hotelImage: The Abbey Hotel

Morning swiftly came after a quiet, comfortable nights sleep, walking into the Allium again for breakfast with a good selection of either cereals, cold meats and cheeses, fruit juices and individual smoothies served in miniature milk bottles with straws, also an a la carte menu from which we both chose the traditional full English breakfast, prepared and presented with the same care as the previous evenings gourmet delight.

Checking out was a breeze and we were on our way refreshed and very well impressed by a fantastic short stay in Bath.

 

G&G RATING:

5STAR

Stays at the Abbey Hotel, Bath start from £125 per room per night based on two sharing on a B&B basis. To book: www.abbeyhotelbath.co.uk; 01225 805613

Visit the Roman Baths: open daily, closed 25/26 December. The Roman Baths is one of the finest historic sites in Northern Europe, and one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK.
www.romanbaths.co.uk   Tel: 01225 477785