The beautiful heritage city of Bath makes an ideal short break destination in England, with plenty of attractions and historic buildings packed into a small area. If you’re planning a trip and want to know where to stay in Bath, we’ve got tips on which neighbourhoods work best and the top hotels, guest houses and apartments to suit every style and budget.
As I live in nearby Bristol, I’ve visited Bath on numerous occasions and have researched these recommendations carefully, to help you get the most from your visit.
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Our top tip – stay central!
Unless you are staying for an extended period in Bath, we would recommend looking for accommodation that’s as central as possible. Many visitors take a short break in Bath for 2-3 nights and since most sights are contained in a compact and walkable area, it makes sense to choose accommodation near the main points of interest.
The most notable sights of Bath’s historic centre are the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent, and there’s plenty of accommodation within a 10-15 minute walk of these landmarks.
Bath offers a wide range of places to stay, from apartments and cosy guesthouses to boutique and luxury hotels. Unfortunately budget options are a little thin on the ground, so if you want to keep costs down, we suggest booking well ahead to secure the best choice and lowest prices.
Map of best neighbourhoods to stay in Bath
We’ve created this handy map of the best neighbourhoods to stay in Bath and the top sights to see there. At the end of this article there’s another interactive map, showing the top sights and hotels in Bath.
Best neighbourhoods to stay in Bath
These are the main neighbourhoods we recommend to stay in Bath’s historic centre. Bear in mind that all the central areas described are only 10-15 minutes walk from each other.
Central Bath
Close to Roman Baths & Bath Abbey, the main sights in this part of Bath are:
- Roman Baths
- Bath Abbey
- Thermae Bath Spa
- Theatre Royal Bath
- Sally Lunn’s Tea Shop
- Parade Gardens
- Guildhall Market
North Central Bath
Close to Royal Crescent & Victoria Park, the main sights in this part of Bath are:
- Royal Crescent
- No 1 Royal Crescent
- The Circus
- The Assembly Rooms
- Victoria Park
- The Jane Austen Centre
- Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein
East Central Bath
Close to Pulteney Bridge and Great Pulteney Street, the main sights in this part of Bath are:
- Pulteney Bridge
- Victoria Gallery
- Boat Trips on the River Avon
- Holburne Museum
- Sydney Gardens
- Bath Skyline Walk
South Central Bath
While there aren’t so many sights here, it may be convenient to be close to Bath Spa Station.
- For high street shopping, the Southgate Centre is located in this area.
- Buses also go from the station to visit Prior Park and the American Museum, just outside Bath.
We’ve researched the best accommodation in Bath and most of our recommendations are located in one of these central areas.
Discover exciting museums in Bath
Less central places to stay in Bath
The following neighbourhoods are outside the main sightseeing area of Bath and staying here means a 15-30 minutes walk to the sights. You may find guest houses or apartments located here, but for a short visit I’d try to stay more centrally, since there are many convenient accommodation options in the heart of Bath.
However if you are arriving by car, you may need to stay outside the centre of Bath in order to find free on-site car parking. Long term visitors to Bath may also also find better deals in these more residential areas of Bath.
Bath Flat – this residential neighbourhood is south of the river, not too far from Bath Spa station.
Bathwick – to the east of Bath, beyond the Holburne Museum, this neighbourhood close to the A36 may have some more affordable accommodation.
Lansdown – a residential neighbourhood on the north edge of Bath, bordering the Lansdown Road heading north from the Royal Crescent.
For more things to see in Bath, read our article: 21 best things to do in Bath, a local’s guide
How much does it cost to stay in Bath?
Prices of accommodation in Bath fluctuate based on supply and demand. Expect hotel rates to be highest in the peak summer months from June to September and lowest in the winter months of November – February (although December may be busy during the Christmas market). Rates are highest at weekends and lowest in the early part of the week.
If booking last minute, you may find that hotels reduce their rates a bit to sell off any remaining rooms. However in general you’ll get the best choice and rates by booking well in advance.
Here is a very rough guide to accommodation rates per room / night in Bath. Check whether breakfast is included as increasingly it’s charged as an extra.
Under £50 – a dorm room in a hostel
Under £100 – a budget hotel, private hostel room or guest house / chain hotel in low season
£100 – £150 – a mid range hotel, guest house or pub with rooms or a boutique hotel in low season
£150 – £250 – boutique and luxury hotels, especially in low season
Over £250 – luxury and high end boutique hotels, especially in high season
Budget accommodation in Bath
Bath is an extremely popular destination and unfortunately rather short on budget accommodation. Take a look at the options below which are centrally located, or be prepared to stay in an apartment or guest house a little further out from the centre.
Z Hotel Bath * – our top pick for a central location and compact modern rooms at an affordable price.
The Z Hotel in Bath is a modern budget hotel with compact rooms but central location
YMCA Bath – Set in an historic building, this hostel has private rooms as well as dorms and is worth considering for families or friends prepared to share a room. However couples can probably find a private room in a budget hotel at similar price.
Budget travellers should also check Travelodge and Premier Inn chains, offering good deals for non-refundable bookings.
Pubs with rooms
Many city centre pubs have converted their upper floors into bedrooms, which can be surprisingly stylish. They can offer good value for money and tend to be comparable in price to guest houses or smaller hotels.
The Griffin * – our top pick for its central location, comfortable rooms and reasonable prices. It’s also pet friendly.
The Griffin Inn in Bath features affordable bedrooms above a comfortable and stylish Georgian pub
The Black Fox – also very centrally located and a touch more stylish and also pricy than The Griffin.
The Bear Inn – south of the river and a 10-15 minute walk from the main sights, but it does offer parking.
Guest Houses and B&Bs in Bath
Guest houses or B&B’s in Bath are typically converted from Victorian or Georgian homes, often located on residential streets outside the central area. Service tends to be more personalised, with a homely atmosphere. With less space and facilities than a hotel, a guest house is ideal for those who will be out sightseeing for most of the day.
Traditionally guest houses or B&Bs provide more affordable accommodation, but as decor and services get upgraded, the prices can be comparable to a hotel. We also noticed that the hearty breakfast that B&Bs are known for is sometimes charged as an added extra, so be sure to check what’s included in the rate.
Brooks Guest House * – Our top pick for location. This well established guest house in a Victorian townhouse is located a 10 minute walk from the centre, near Victoria Park. Rooms are classic and comfortable, breakfast is charged as an extra.
Brooks Guesthouse offers stylish and comfortable rooms, close to Victoria Park
Tyndall Villa Boutique B&B – A comfortable B&B in a Victorian villa that’s located a little out of the town centre in the Bear Flat neighbourhood. There’s on site parking and breakfast is included.
Grays Boutique B&B – A B&B in a Victorian villa, a little out of the centre in the Bear Flat neighbourhood. Decor is charming, there’s on site parking and breakfast is included.
Hill House Bath – An owner run guest house on the northern edge of Bath, with colourful and comfortable rooms. Breakfast not included.
City Centre Brand Hotels
Brand hotels may not have the charm of a smaller boutique hotel, but can be a good choice for groups, families or disabled travellers, offering a range of room styles and facilities. With more rooms to fill, they may offer good deals close to the booking date. The options below are centrally located with mid range prices and contemporary decor.
Doubletree by Hilton Bath City * – Our top pick for the central location close to the river. The hotel offers contemporary decor, fitness centre and on site parking. Pet friendly.
The Doubletree by Hilton is centrally located close to the river with contemporary decor, fitness centre and on site parking.
Hampton by Hilton Bath City – centrally located close to the Roman Baths, with colourful contemporary decor, fitness centre and on site restaurant.
Apex City of Bath – on the western edge of Bath’s centre, offering contemporary decor with indoor pool, fitness centre and restaurant.
You can also check the good value Travelodge and Premier Inn chains – the cheapest deals are for non-refundable bookings.
Boutique Hotels in Bath
Most boutique hotels in Bath have been converted from Georgian townhouses and offer a glimpse of the lives of the wealthy and fashionable in Bath’s 18th century heyday. They are ideal for travellers looking for a luxurious but personalised experience, with individually designed rooms and a central location for sightseeing.
Prices for boutique hotels in Bath tend to be at the higher end of the scale.
Hotel Indigo* – Top pick for style and value. Well located close to the station and main sights this is an IHG brand hotel with a boutique aesthetic. It offers contemporary style in a Georgian terrace, combined with the consistency and facilities of a larger hotel. Prices are mid range making this a more affordable choice than some other boutique hotels in Bath.
Hotel Indigo in Bath is a boutique style mid range hotel close to the sights
Queensberry Hotel * – Top pick for foodies. Well located close on the north side of Bath, near the Royal Crescent, this is an elegant boutique hotel in a Georgian townhouse. The high levels of service and award winning restaurant make this a great choice for foodies.
The Queensberry Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel in a Georgian townhouse with award winning restaurant
The Yard Bath – a converted coaching inn near Victoria Park, with just 15 rooms and stylish decor that is somewhere between guest house and hotel.
Eight – A luxury townhouse hotel with beautiful decor and an attractive location, just steps from Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths.
The Bird Bath – this boutique hotel in a Victorian mansion is a 15 minute walk from the centre of Bath, but offers on site parking. The decor is creative and colourful, part of the small hotel group that includes Homewood Hotel & Spa. Pet friendly.
Self catering apartments in Bath
There are plenty of apartments in Bath of varying sizes – you can search for a wide range of Bath apartments here.
If you are visiting on a short break of 2-3 days, we generally recommend staying in a hotel or serviced apartment that has a manned reception, as this gives more flexibility to store your luggage and maximise your sightseeing time.
However, we recognise that apartments may suit families or those who want more living space, so here are a couple of high quality serviced apartment suggestions.
Dream Stays *- Our top pick for style and location. They have 8 centrally located apartments that vary between 1 and 4 bedrooms and are pet friendly. Each of the apartments, such as this 1 bed apartment in Kingsmead Street, is listed individually so search on Booking.com for Dream Stays Bath to see all the options.
Dream Stays on Kingsmead Street is just one of the centrally located apartments in Bath from Dream Stays.
Charlecote House – Located on the northern edge of Bath in the Lansdown neighbourhood, these stylish serviced apartments offer free on site parking and are pet friendly.
Luxury Hotels in Bath
Many of the boutique hotels in Bath already mentioned are at the luxury end of the scale. However the hotels below are our top picks for a truly luxurious experience.
Royal Crescent Hotel * – Experience an elegant and luxurious stay at Bath’s most sought after address in the Royal Crescent. This 5 star hotel has a lovely garden, where you can also have lunch or afternoon tea in fine weather. Pet friendly.
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is Bath’s ultimate 5 star luxury stay in the heart of the Georgian Royal Crescent
No 15 By Guesthouse * – A luxury boutique hotel in a Georgian townhouse on Great Pulteney Street. With contemporary decor and in house spa, this is the ideal spot for a romantic getaway. Pet friendly.
No 15 by GuestHouse in Bath is a luxury boutique hotel with spa perfect for romantic getaways
Spa Hotels in Bath
If you want to experience the thermal waters of Bath, anyone can book a session at the Thermae Bath Spa. Many of the boutique and luxury hotels already mentioned have spa facilities, but if your main objective is a spa experience, then check out these spa hotels in Bath.
The Gainsborough Bath Spa * – Top pick for location and style. This small luxury hotel in the centre of Bath is unique in that it offers spa guests direct access to the thermal spring water.
The elegant Gainsborough Spa Hotel in the centre of Bath offers spa guests direct access to the thermal spring water.
Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel – Located 15 minutes walk from the centre of Bath, the hotel has good spa facilities with on site parking and is pet friendly. While the building is grand this hotel is a little more affordable for those who are mainly looking for the spa experience.
Luxury Hotels outside Bath
Homewood Hotel & Spa – A luxury boutique hotel in a countryside setting that’s 30 minutes drive south of Bath. With an excellent spa it’s ideal for those looking for a relaxing escape, with an occasional visit to the sights of Bath. Pet friendly.
The Homewood Hotel & Spa is a luxury boutique hotel in a countryside setting, for a relaxing escape near Bath
Map of the best places to stay in Bath
For an interactive map of the best places to stay in Bath, click on this link or on the image below, to open the map showing our recommendations for hotels, guest houses, apartments and budget accommodation.
Read Next
Explore my local’s guide to the best things to do in Bath
More articles about Bath
Exciting museums in Bath to visit
The MacDonald Bath Hotel & Spa for a fabulous spa break
Christmas in Bath – markets & more!
The Roman Baths in Bath – what to see when you visit
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Plan your trip
For more information on all the things to do in Bath, check out the Visit Bath official tourism website
Some of my experiences in Bath were hosted* by Visit Bath
* More info on my policies page
This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
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