The historic city of Bath draws tourists from all over the world, as a World Heritage Site and the home to the Roman Baths, Jane Austen Centre and Royal Crescent. In a city so popular it can be tough to find the right place to stay. If you want to be right in the centre you often have to forgo any sense of style or luxury. Fortunately The Francis Hotel Bath in a converted position on Queen Square puts you in the heart of the action whilst retaining charm, luxury and style. It would be hard to find a more quintessentially English hotel with as much history as The Francis Hotel. This Grade I listed building first became a hotel in 1884. Creator of some of the most prestigious buildings in bath John Wood the Elder designed it between 1728 and 1735 as a piece of classical architecture and seamlessly interconnected the townhouses which make up the 98 curated room hotel.
The Regency opulence is evident from the moment you arrive at the hotel, the main entrance right in the middle of Queen Square with many rooms overlooking it. Enter from their secret car park (a rare find in Bath!) via the back and it’s fascinating to see all the townhouses which makeup the hotel. Either way you quickly find local touches, from the vibrant blue Georgian glassware to the giant Princess style throne in the lobby. It’s a quirky, eclectic, soft and warm mix of design that inspires and amuses.
The mix of Regency and Modern is evident throughout, from the fun wallpaper which mixes Jane Austin esq silhouettes and Roman Bath architecture to the pop up paper theatre art work in our room. It’s clearly something the hotel take seriously as there was information in our room about each piece of art or collectible. It’s this attention to detail which shines throughout The Francis Hotel with local milk in the mini bar, and classical music playing in your room when you check in.
