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The Royal Crescent Hotel - The Bath House, Bath - 5 bubbles
A classic, luxury hotel in the centre of Georgian Bath, steeped in history and grandeur. A traditional wood-rich spa that is the essence of tranquillity. A good range of [ comfort zone ] and signature treatments delivered by skilled therapists. In all, a recipe for 5-bubble delight for our Spy, who was invited to The Bath House one summer's day.
Was it easy to book?
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
Was it easy to book?
Yes. There's information about all treatments on the website and the spa reception staff are helpful if you require further information.
First impressions?
A beautiful Georgian townhouse in the middle of this architecturally famous crescent, overlooking Bath. The entrance is discreet. The door is flanked by a couple of bay trees and, on my visit, a pair of brightly coloured lions (part of a local art event). The Royal Crescent Hotel is Grade 1 listed. Its neat, understated façade belies its interior grandeur and large, sheltered garden. The Bath House, a traditional wood-rich spa, is housed in a former coach house at the end of the garden.
How did they welcome you?
I received a quintessential British welcome as the porter greeted me, took my bags and gently directed me to the drawing room.
What happens next?
One of The Royal Crescent’s receptionists came into the drawing room with a check-in card for me to complete. She gave me a quick tour of the grand communal rooms, and led me up to my second-floor room. I had a large room with a chintzy four-poster bed. The large sash windows provided a stunning view over Bath's Victoria Park. The room, "John Wood", named after the architect of Bath's Royal Crescent, was traditionally furnished with antique furniture, including a large period oil painting above the fireplace. The modest-sized bathroom was also traditionally styled, with striped white and yellow tiles.
Which treatments did you have?
I tried the spa's signature therapy, The Bath House Treatment (1 hour 55 minutes, £85), which includes use of the wet spa, a salt scrub in the hammam, and a massage.
What were the treatments like?
I made my way down the lavender-lined path, across the pretty garden to The Bath House. Fellow hotel guests enjoying a cream tea in the sun helped to create a very English scene on one side of the lawn. On the other side a couple of guests tried to get to grips with a game of croquet. I was wearing the bathrobe from my room (as suggested by the receptionist) over my swimming costume, with my clothes in a bag for afterwards. I did feel a little self-conscious as I made my way past some of the smart international guests.
The receptionist in the spa greeted me and gave me a consultation form. I completed this on one of the comfortable, traditional sofas in the spacious waiting room. The Bath House's reception has walls painted an authentically Georgian shade of green, illuminated by formal lamps. The brightly coloured striped carpet gives a nod to the 21st century.
The receptionist returned to collect my form and show me to the female changing rooms. She offered me a locker and suggested I relax in the pool area. The changing rooms are quite small. There are a couple of showers, some lockers and two changing cubicles. Many of the hotel guests appear to change into their spa robes in the privacy of their hotel room, so the changing room didn’t seem cramped.
Once in the traditional wood-rich spa, I went for a soothing swim in the steamy 15-metre pool. This "relaxation pool" is heated to 35 degrees, so is designed for a gentle swim rather than serious sporting activity. I then alternated dipping in the cool and tepid barrel-like plunge tubs with brief ventures into the sauna and steam cabins. You have to climb a few steps up to each tub, as you do the pool, but all have rails to help any guests with compromised mobility.
The spa receptionist had advised me to return to reception after 45 minutes to await my therapist. My therapist Charlotte collected me and took me to the "exfo" room (short for exfoliation, presumably). My heart sank a tad as she opened the door to reveal a lovely marble hammam table. Much as I love a traditional treatment, I'm also a big fan of comfort. Also, the table looked quite high.
Charlotte instructed me to undress, get onto the table and place a small towel strategically over my bottom. Charlotte left the room as I tried to work out the relative sizes of towel and bottom. My first challenge was to get onto the table. I succeeded, just, and spent a minute re-arranging myself with one small towel underneath, one on top, and one folded beneath my head. At this point Charlotte returned to begin the treatment.
Charlotte donned a pair of mitts and started rubbing a mixture of salt and fragrant oil into the backs of my legs. It felt good and coarse and certainly seemed to get my circulation going. Charlotte worked her way up my body and arms, then asked me to turn over. She repeated the process on my front, then announced that it was time to start showering the salt scrub off. The shower hose was next to the marble table, so I remained lying down. Charlotte started by pointing the water jet at my legs. It felt a little strange to start with as the cool water collected on the table underneath my back. Charlotte then asked me to turn back onto my front, which was no easy feat on the wet table.
Charlotte asked me to meet her by the pool after drying myself off in the changing rooms. She then showed me upstairs to one of the five treatment rooms. The room had a wooden floor and feature beams, giving it a natural, rather Scandinavian feel. The massage bed wasdraped in chocolate-brown waffle towels. Charlotte held up one of the towels while I hung my robe on the door and got on the massage bed.Once I was lying face down, Charlotte told me about the neroli oil she would be using, and set to work on my shoulders. As soon as she started massaging my rather tense neck, I knew this was going to be a good treatment.
Charlotte had a great touch as she felt confident and strong despite her slim frame. She combined deep, sweeping movements with a more concentrated pressing action, instinctively targeting my tense muscles. After only five minutes I felt supremely relaxed. Charlotte continued to soothe, smoothe and untangle my back, and the back of my arms and legs, before asking me to turn over. Her instruction caught me on the verge of light sleep. Charlotte again held up the towel while I turned over. She then repeated her muscle magic on my legs, arms and chest.
Charlotte told me in a whisper when the treatment had come to an end and offered me a cup of herbal tea. She told me that she would bring it to me in the relaxation area outside the treatment room. I made myself comfortable on one of the four towel-covered teak chairs and chose a magazine from the good selection available. I continued to relax enjoying the steamy spa ambiance from this balconied area overlooking the pool.
How did you feel afterwards?
Smooth, relaxed and serene.
What happens afterwards?
I spent a while relaxing before returning to my room to get ready for dinner.
I had dinner in the Dower House, Royal Crescent's restaurant situated at the end of the garden. I deliberated between eating al fresco and dining inside the restaurant. A helpful waiter solved my problem by seating me at a table inside that overlooked the pretty garden. The food was equally pleasing with sardines and seared tuna with avocado purée to start, followed by monkfish with cepes and braised cos lettuce. The home-made bread selection was also delicious. It put paid to any possibility of me being able to sample one of the desserts which ranged from individual baked Alaska to chocolate tart.
Long-term effects
The Bath House Treatment left me feeling both physically and mentally relaxed to the max. I slept really well that night, though this was probably helped by the supreme comfort of the princess-and-the-pea high bed.
Was it worth it?
Yes, given that treatments are reasonably priced and wet spa facilities are very good. The Royal Crescent is a luxury hotel so it isn't cheap to stay there. But, for a special occasion, it's worth saving up for.
What else could you have?
Complementary therapies: reiki, shiatsu and watsu plus Thai massage, Indian head massage and reflexology.
Body treatments: a Turkish hammam experience, traditional massages, body wraps (including algae and fruit enzyme options).
Face treatments: specialist [ comfort zone ] facials, aromatherapy facials, a male facial, a pre- and post-natal facial.
Beauty treatments: manicures, pedicures and waxing.
There is also a compact gym with standard gym equipment, plus a PowerPlate machine.
What do you wish you'd known before you went?
To bring my own flip-flops. The Bath House does provide flip-flops but most seemed to be around a UK size 4.
Any special features?
The Bath House at The Royal Crescent has a lovely feel. It is unlike any other spa I've been to. The whole place is steeped in history and grandeur.
Who do you think would like it?
Anyone looking for a relaxing break in a historic, romantic setting. Perfect for a relaxing city retreat, with great food to boot.
Anyone looking for a bland, modern cream-marbled spa experience with a sea of loungers, look away now.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
We gave The Bath House 5 bubbles because it offers excellent treatments in a restful and atmospheric spa.
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
Yes please. I'd like to enjoy the steamy Bath House in winter. And I was too busy relaxing to find time to enjoy that cream tea I'd promised myself...
We visited The Royal Crescent Hotel in June 2010.
Like the sound of this? You're in luck.
See also:
* Contact details for The Royal Crescent
* Our Spa Spies review [ comfort zone ] products
* Will I have to undress completely when I'm having a treatment?
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