Abbey Hotel Bath: An Honest Review of this Bath City Centre Hotel
I spent two nights in Bath recently and, as someone who studied English Literature at uni and loves the classics, I adored this city.
During my time in Bath, I stayed at the Abbey Hotel Bath, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, a boutique hotel right in the heart of the city centre. In this article, I’m going to share my honest review of the hotel and whether I think it’s worth booking for your own trip to Bath.
Are you ready? Then let’s get into it.
Abbey Hotel Bath: An Honest Review of this Bath City Centre Hotel
Bath at a Glance
If you’re researching where to stay in Bath, chances are you already know the city is small, walkable, and absolutely stuffed with things to do, so I’ll keep this bit brief.
Bath’s city centre is compact enough that you can walk pretty much everywhere within about fifteen minutes, and the main draws (the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge, and the Royal Crescent) are all within easy reach of each other.
If you’re staying centrally, you don’t need a car, and most people arrive by train.
Accommodation in the city centre ranges from budget chains to proper luxury spa hotels, but if you want somewhere with character, history, and a decent location, boutique hotels like the Abbey Hotel Bath might be just what you’re looking for.
Abbey Hotel Bath
The Abbey Hotel is housed across three Georgian townhouses dating back to 1739, and it’s a real historic building, all high ceilings, sash windows, and creaky original floorboards.
It sits right on North Parade, just steps from Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, and less than a ten-minute walk from Bath Spa train station.
It’s a 4-star boutique hotel, independently owned, with 65 individually decorated rooms across several categories, from cosy doubles to family suites. It’s part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, but it doesn’t feel like a chain hotel in the slightest, it feels distinctly independent and local.
The hotel has an on-site restaurant, a striking art deco-style bar, and an outdoor terrace, all of which I’ll get into below.
Abbey Hotel Bath address: 1-3 North Parade, Bath BA1 1LF (Google Maps link).
Room Types at Abbey Hotel Bath
The Abbey Hotel has a good range of room types to suit different budgets and group sizes, from small solo-traveller doubles up to two-bedroom family suites. Here’s a rundown of what’s on offer.
Note that prices fluctuate a fair bit by season and how far in advance you book, so treat these as a rough guide rather than gospel.
Cosy Print Room
The smallest room category, with one double bed. Ideal for solo travellers or couples who just need somewhere to sleep for a night or two.
These rooms are on the third floor and aren’t available for guests travelling with dogs.
Prices start from around £140 per night.
Standard Print Room
This is the room type I stayed in. A step up in space, and a comfortable option for a weekend break exploring the city.
Prices start from around £165 per night.
Superior Print Room
Decorated with deep, rich colours and textured fabrics, these rooms come with a bit more breathing room than the Standard rooms, though still fairly compact given the building’s age.
Prices start from around £185 per night.
Cinematography Double or Twin Room
These rooms have king-size beds and a proper seating area, with some spacious enough for an extra bed or cot.
Prices start from around £210 per night.
Gallery Room
Contemporary and spacious, and perfect if you want to feel like you’re enjoying a truly luxurious stay.
Prices start from around £230 per night.
Gallery Family Room
Ideal for families, these rooms can accommodate up to four guests.
Prices start from around £260 per night.
Junior Suite
A separate bedroom and more of a proper suite feel, with a king-size bed.
Prices start from around £290 per night.
Two Bedroom Family Suite
The largest option, with a double bed and a king bed across two separate bedrooms, ideal for families or groups wanting more space and privacy.
Prices start from around £340 per night.
Bringing your dog
Dogs are welcome throughout most of the hotel (including the bar), with a £35 non-refundable pet fee per dog, per night.
Dogs are not permitted in the Cosy Print rooms, on the third floor, or in the restaurant.
Dining at Abbey Hotel Bath
Breakfast is served in the hotel’s restaurant, Abbey Kitchen, a gorgeous room with dark wood panelling and dark academia vibes – if you know me, you’ll know that I love this aesthetic, and it felt really in-keeping with the literary history of the city.
You can order a full à la carte breakfast, cooked fresh to order, and there’s a small continental buffet with pastries, cereals, and juice if you’d rather keep it simple.
I had an omelette with ham, mushroom, and onion with a hash brown on the side on my first morning, and eggs royale with a side of smashed avocado on my second. I want to note that none of these dishes were supposed to come with sides, but after seeing the ingredients elsewhere on the menu, I asked if I could customise my order and the staff happily obliged on both days.
The food was excellent: the eggs were cooked perfectly, the smoked salmon was good quality, and everything arrived quickly and was clearly freshly prepared rather than sitting under a heat lamp (there’s nothing worse than congealed Hollandaise sauce).
I also had a cappuccino both mornings, which was lovely too.
I didn’t eat dinner in the restaurant during my stay, so I can’t comment on the evening menu, but based on breakfast alone, I’m sure the quality is great.
Starters include hummus, halloumi fries, and lamb kofta skewers, and the modest main menu features a handful of burgers, pan-fried seabass, and fish and chips.
The hotel’s Art Bar (an art deco, almost avant-garde-looking space) has got to be one of the nicest hotel bars I’ve seen. I didn’t end up having a drink there as it was a bit pricey for me, but the cocktails looked great.
There’s also a summer terrace outside where you can enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the sun.
The Art Bar and summer terrace are open 24/7 for hotel guests, which is a definite plus!
My Experience at Abbey Hotel Bath
Check-in took a little while – I didn’t book my own room, and it turned out that the person that did had booked it under the wrong name (!), so this caused quite a bit of confusion at the desk as the staff couldn’t find my reservation.
To their credit, the staff member helping me was really helpful and managed to resolve the issue.
My room was fairly small, but it was cosy rather than cramped, and I really liked the deep, moody colour palette.
The blackout curtains meant I slept brilliantly, and the bed was so comfortable, with a Hypnos mattress, fluffy duvet and a huge pile of pillows and cushions that made me feel like I was being engulfed by a huge cloud!
There was also a large smart TV in the room, so I could sign into my own YouTube account and watch some of my favourite creators in the evening (the perfect way to wind down after a busy day exploring the city!).
Tea and coffee-making facilities were provided, along with a couple of packets of biscuits, which went down a treat.
The bathroom was lovely, with luxury TEMPLESPA toiletries and fluffy white bath robes and slippers – my favourite thing about staying in a boutique hotel! There wasn’t a bath, which was a bit of a shame – there’s nothing better than a bubble bath when you’re staying in a hotel – but that’s never a given.
The one thing that was frustrating was that the room didn’t have a fridge, which is very unusual for a hotel at this price point.
Not only did this mean that I couldn’t chill the wine I’d brought, but I also brought some food back from a restaurant, which ultimately had to be thrown away after being kept at room temperature overnight.
The building’s age also means it isn’t particularly soundproof – I could hear my neighbours’ every move thanks to creaky floorboards! It didn’t keep me up, but if you’re a light sleeper, I’d pack earplugs.
Although I wasn’t travelling with a dog, the room type I had was dog-friendly, and there was a clean, comfortable dog bed and water bowl already set up, which was a lovely touch. I didn’t see a single dog hair on the dog bed (or anywhere in the room), which is testament to how clean this place is.
When I checked out, the staff let me store my luggage for free so I could spend a few more hours exploring Bath without dragging a suitcase around, which I really appreciated.
The location, though, is what really makes this hotel stand out. It’s less than ten minutes on foot from the train station, and just a couple of minutes’ walk from Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. Honestly, you couldn’t ask for a more central base for exploring the city.
Abbey Hotel Bath FAQ
Is the Abbey Hotel dog-friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome in most areas of the hotel, including the bar, though not in the Cosy Print rooms, on the third floor, or in the restaurant. A non-refundable pet fee of £35 per dog, per night applies.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out is at 11:00. Late check-out can sometimes be arranged for a fee, subject to availability.
Is breakfast included?
Breakfast isn’t automatically included with every rate, so check what’s included when you book, but it’s available daily and well worth adding on if it isn’t.
Is there parking at the hotel?
The hotel doesn’t have its own car park, but there are pay car parks nearby, including Southgate Car Park, a short walk away.
How far is the hotel from the train station?
The Abbey Hotel Bath is a seven-minute walk from Bath Spa train station.
Does the Abbey Hotel in Bath have a pool?
No, the Abbey Hotel does not have a pool on-site.
Pros and Cons
What I liked:
- Unbeatable central location
- Gorgeous, atmospheric breakfast room
- Friendly, helpful staff
- Beautiful hotel bar
- Comfortable bed and nice toiletries
- Dog-friendly with a proper dog bed provided
- Free luggage storage after check-out
- Excellent, freshly cooked breakfast
What I didn’t like:
- No fridge in the room
- Poor soundproofing between rooms
Abbey Hotel Bath | Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed my stay at the Abbey Hotel Bath. It’s not a flawless hotel: the soundproofing left something to be desired, and I could have done with a fridge, but none of that came close to outweighing the things it got right.
The staff were consistently lovely, even when there was a problem with check-in. Breakfast was one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had in a while, and the fact that it was à la carte added to the luxury experience of the hotel.
The building itself has so much character that it’s hard not to fall in love with it, and the perfect location seals the deal.
If you want a boutique, comfortable base for exploring Bath, I can definitely recommend the Abbey Hotel as a city centre hotel in Bath.
That’s all for this time, but as always, if you have any questions then be sure to let me know in the comments section below.
Until next time,
XOXO
Note: My stay at Abbey Hotel Bath was hosted by Visit Bath. All opinions are my own.
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