30 October, 2017
While it's possible to experience the Roman city of Bath on a day trip from London, a weekend bolt is a more leisurely option - especially if it includes a stay at the characterful No. 15 Great Pulteney on the town's most iconic street. Feeling more like a home-away-from-home than a boutique hotel (if your home is equipped with chandeliers, pink porcelain bathtubs and views over chocolate-box buildings), No. 15 is as intriguing as its city, and perfectly located for exploring Bath's charms.
Hidden behind the neoclassical facade of Great Pulteney Street, the hotel blends with the extravagant and eccentric history of the grand avenue, which counts Jane Austen and William Wilberforce as former residents. Designed with a sense of fun, every room, corridor and stairwell offers a unique feature or artwork that will get entice you beyond the confines of your room.
Each of the hotel's 40 generous rooms are individually designed, incorporating eclectic curios, bespoke wallpaper and murals from local artists while retaining a sense of old-world glamour. If the cosy doubles with touches like cashmere mattresses, dolls' houses concealing Nespresso machines and dainty china cups aren't luxurious enough, book the Hideout Suite, which features its own steam room and hot tub.
Served up in Café 15, a light and airy dining room lined with antique apothecary shelves (complete with labelled bottles), the morning meal is a relaxed but satisfying affair of assorted pastries, cereals and toast on the continental buffet and classic hot dishes like eggs benedict and omelettes on the hot breakfast menu.
Head back down to Cafe 15 for a relaxed dinner of seasonal fare - if you've left any room after a traditional English afternoon tea in the sitting room. A nice touch for anyone who gets peckish long after bedtime is also the hotel's larder - a kitchenette open to all guests and well-stocked with drinks, snacks and ice cream.
There sure is, and you'll want to pay it a visit to check out the quirky cocktail menu. Not only is it printed on a set of playing cards for a quick game of "Go Fish" while you drink, but the sips themselves are wonderfully creative - try the Major's Medicine, with cognac, marmalade vodka, maple syrup and cardamom kept warm over a flame, to cure any winter woes.
If the 10-minute walk to the Thermae Bath Spa is too much for you, pop down to No. 15's own offering, where you'll find a cedar-wood hot tub, sauna and steam room, along with plenty of holistic treatment options. Alternatively, relax with a herbal tea by the fire.
Don't want to leave your canine friend behind? No need - the hotel is pet friendly, so your pup can join you, and will even get a goodie bag on arrival.
Bath's impressive city centre is just a five-minute walk away across the historic Pulteney Bridge, so everything really.
