Royal Crescent Hotel travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

Jane Austen fantasies come alive at this elegant hotel ideally situated in the middle of Bath’s architecturally renowned Royal Crescent. The Royal Crescent Hotel occupies two historic buildings virtually unchanged since the eighteenth-century when the aristocrats of the day would visit Bath during the ”season” for the water’s health-giving properties. Photo by: smin

The interiors of the hotel looks much as it did 250 years ago, while inside huge vases of scented lilies perfume the air, a fire crackles in the drawing room and discreet staff appear as if form nowhere exactly when you need them. The bedrooms have been lovingly restored to ensure they are just as they were in the eighteenth century. Carpets, color schemes, and furniture have all been carefully chosen to ensure authenticity, but not at the expense of comfort. Photo by: sges

For a spa, head to the Bath House, which offers a range of treatments including a warm relaxation pool where gothic windows allow natural light to flood in. After a few languorous lengths, soak in one of the toasty hot tubs before steeling yourself for an invigorating plunge  in one of the icy tubs of cold. Photo by: smin

You do not need to stay for long to enjoy the best of the hotel. Do not miss out on eating at the Royal Crescent’s restaurant, the Dower house, which overlooks the garden. Or on a sunny day, find yourself a seat under a flower-adorned magnolia tree in the tranquil garden, listen to the birdsong and enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea. Location: Bath, Somerset, England. Photo by: S Walker