THE QUEENSBERRY: A LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN BATH

If you’re heading to Bath for a long weekend, The Queensberry Hotel really has everything you could want – from cosy, character filled rooms to a Michelin starred restaurant right onsite. We loved that it’s just a short stroll from the city’s beautiful historical landmarks, as well as plenty of bars and restaurants to dip into. It feels special without being stuffy, making it a perfect choice for couples looking for a romantic escape or a family retreat in the heart of the Bath World Heritage site. Read on for our independent review of the hotel, it’s food, amenities and why we would recommend staying at this luxury boutique hotel in Bath city centre. 

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Where is the Hotel Located?

The Queensberry Hotel is located in Upper Bath, with many of the main attractions and points of interest a mere ten minute walk away. The area feels like a quiet sleepy leafy suburb, despite being right in the heart of Bath.

• Plane – If you are arriving internationally, we’d recommend the closest airport to be Bristol or London and then it’s  an easy train ride or taxi into Bath. Bath is just under an hour from Bristol and around an hour and 20 minutes from London.

• Train – Bath Spa train station is the main station here and has many connections from London and the South West as well as other parts of the UK. The Queensberry Hotel is a 5 minute taxi ride from the station or a 15 minute walk away.
• Bus – A bus or coach is a great alternative to the train and can work out a little more economical with price. The bus station is around a mile away from the hotel – an eight minute taxi ride or 20 minute walk.
• Car – This is the most convenient way to travel. Just add the hotel postcode to Google Maps (BA1 2QF) and you’re set to go.

Car Parking – Valet parking available and costs £30 per day, but £20 if you book your stay directly with the hotel. Car parking is guaranteed from 12 pm on the day of arrival and cars have to be collected at the same time on the day of departure. 

Introducing the Queensberry Hotel

The hotel was originally commissioned by the eighth Marquess of Queensberry, the hotel currently spans four Georgian terrace buildings that have been combined into one with the sympathetic retention of its original features but with a careful addition of modernity and cool twists of comfort. 

Their 29 bedrooms are all individually styled that have little quirky touches such as the wall paper or curios in the room.  

On the ground floor there are comfortable sitting rooms with comfy upholstered chairs, pouffes, sofas to spend time relaxing in a homely, yet curated environment; cosy  fireplaces that are perfect if you’re staying in the winter months as we did in mid December. You’ll also see beautiful classy ensembles coordinating Christmas decorations if you’re visiting during the festive season like we did!

Oh and then there’s the food in the form of breakfast, a Michelin Starred Restaurant, Olive Tree located in the basement; casual dining, room service and in the sitting areas; and the Q Bar perfect for a pre-dinner, any-time of day or night cap spot! 

Do you like the sound of The Queensberry? Then come and explore with us a little further…

The Rooms

As mentioned previously, there are 29 rooms at the hotel, located over the first, second and third, so you’re sure to find something you like. Room categories include; Four Poster Suite, four poster beds are the perfect princess retreat!; Junior Suite; Master Deluxe; Deluxe; Superior; Classic and Club Room. Rooms are split across the first, second and third floors of the building with some facing the front street and others facing a landscaped courtyard to the rear. 

All rooms have enveloping beds by Harrison Spinks, flat screen TVs and DAB digital radios.

 If you’re planning on a mid week stay, the hotel can accommodate special deals at certain times of the year which can include dining at The Olive Tree. It’s best to check directly with the hotel for any special packages or deals that they may be running. We opted for a superior room for our three day long weekend in Bath.

Located on the first floor our superior room was a great size with a really comfy large bed, white linens, gold throws and scatter cushions. We particularly loved the gold and grey statement wall paper and high curved headboard.

The room has a Georgian fireplace and lots of original features plus a lovely seating area. The room looked out towards the back courtyard and there was a bottle of water and some handmade chocolate truffle treats left for us from the hotel kitchen. The stay was actually for my (Bejal’s) birthday and I loved that the hotel had also left a  personal message on a card.

We always say the little touches make the stay memorable and are really important in elevating the experience.

The bathroom was of quite a traditional style with a white suite including a bath and the fluffiest white towels and dressing gowns to cuddle into at the end of a days sightseeing in Bath.

We loved the statement wallpaper which had gold coloured gold fish on a dark grey background which went really well with the large circular gold framed mirror. Bath products come in recyclable bottles and are by The White Company. 

Dining at The Queensberry Hotel

Breakfast

The first and most important meal of the day in our opinion is served at The Olive Tree and if you book a bed and breakfast rate then there is £25 allowance per person for breakfast everyday. The locally sourced spread is a real treat and everything is cooked to order to reduce food waste.

We’d start our mornings with coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice, a small platter of fresh fruit, Greek yoghurt or cereals and ending with a vegetarian full english or omelette. The fresh croissants are also truly delicious specially served warm with some local conserves. Winter is a great time to try their porridge served with honey or the delicious homemade crumpets with local butter.

The Q Bar

This small but perfectly formed snug bar towards the back of the hotel is just perfect for a tipple, whether that be pre dinner or you fancy a night cap before retiring at the end of the evening. Grab a pew at the art deco style bar and peruse the menu or take a seat on the casual seating and sip on some well made drinks. 

We used to enjoy pre dinner drinks here before heading out for the evening. We can personally recommend the espresso martinis and prohibition cocktails. They also do some great wines, local gins, champagnes and so much more. 

Be-lavie Tip: Make sure you have a read of the Queensbury Rules, which you’ll find on the pages of the Q Bar menu! They’re sure to make you chuckle!

Casual Dining

If you don’t fancy the posh stuff, that we’re coming on to, then there is anytime casual dining available to have in the Q Bar or 24 hours a day in your room. ‘Relaxed dining by Chris Cleghorn’ includes snacks. Light bites, plant based plates, sides and desserts. We suggest the potato croquettes, chickpea pasta, parmesan and black truffle fries (Koffmann’s Fries) and maybe even the cheese platter or warm islands chocolate pudding to end!

The Olive Tree

Tucked away in the basement, Olive Tree by executive chef Chris Cleghorn is the onsite Michelin Starred restaurant (held since 2008) and Somerset’s only 4 AA Rosette establishment. 

The Olive Tree is open from Tuesday through to Sunday and Chef Chris Cleghorn’s Taste of the Season menus are available in a number of different ways as set menus, taster options and other seasonal offerings for lunch as well as dinner.

We found it slightly easier to get a reservation for lunchtime and opted for their taster menu with wine pairings.

We liked that they cater for vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and dairy free options but make sure you let them know by calling or emailing at the time of reserving so they can fully accommodate you on the day. This is what we did and we were blown away.

Be-lavie Tip: Reserve well in advance of your trip if you’re hoping to dine At The Olive Tree as especially at weekends it can get fully booked.

Other Hotel Amenities

At the Queensberry Hotel it’s easy to see that attention to detail is really taken care of. As well as lots of in room amenities, guests can enjoy complimentary tea and Nespresso coffee in the drawing room throughout the day as well as water. 

Additionally there is no minibar in the room which has been purposefully thought out so that each drink or food item you may want is hand delivered beautifully to your room by a member of staff. 

Guests can also enjoy teas and coffees in their room for an extra supplement of £7 at any time of the day and a tray will be dropped off via room service.

Note the complementary shoe shine left outside rooms on a tray as well as glossy mags and paperback books that are perfect for a little down time. Oh and of course there’s WIFI throughout the all bedrooms and public areas.

Don’t forget the walled garden or garden terrace sanctuary where you can enjoy a little reading or sip on a drink, adjacent to the Q bar. In the cooler months grab one of the hanging blankets next to the back door to wrap up in.

Sustainability & Green Practices

We were impressed that the hotel has a sustainability policy and were striving to attain a silver award to become a leading Green Hotel in Bath.

Here is what we learnt about their environmental considerations

• Energy Consumption – A 25-30% reduction in CO2 emissions has been recoded since 2008, following installation of a boiler maintenance system. Energy efficient LED light bulbs have replaced previous less efficient ones.
• Water Usage – All toilet cisterns are now dual flush or fitted with water displacement systems to reduce water use. Guests can choose when they require their towels and bed linens laundered to reduce water and chemical usage. The hotel has replaced toxic chemical based cleaning products with environmentally friendly alternatives and the hotel gardens are watered with with collected rain water.
• Waste Management – waste such as glass, cardboard and paper products are segregated to enable recycling. Food waste is recycled through Grist ensuring zero waste to landfill. 
• Produce & Products – The majority of food products are sourced locally, and organic where possible. The focus is on local growers, seasonal and ethically produced food items as well as stationery, cleaning items being from local companies.
• Raw materials – All paper products are replaced by UK manufactured material from accredited sustainable sources. The hotels laundering company has a defined sustainability policy to ensure there is minimal impact from detergents and promote water efficiency.
• Staff Members – The team are encouraged to be aware of their impact and the hotel nominates ‘Environmental Champions’ throughout the hotel to keep an eye on procedures and policies and suggest new ideas for increased efficiency.
• Single Use Plastic – In 2022, the hotel replaced single use plastic toiletries with Bath House products which are recycled and refillable.
• Local drinks – the Old Q Bar features local drinks from Midford Cider, Bath Ales, Pilton Cider and Bluestone wines. The hotel has also partnered with Canned Wine Co. who have a holistic and honest approach to sustainability, from prioritising organic winemakers to their infinitely recyclable aluminium cans.

• The Olive Tree Restaurant – Executive Head Chef, Chris Cleghorn, sources all local suppliers from Somerset and the South West area for the on-site Michelin star restaurant. 

Things to Do in Bath

Whether you’re visiting for just the day or are staying for a long weekend, Bath has so much to do and see. It also has a wonderful foodie culture and we loved discovering the vegetarian-friendly restaurants and cafes in the heart of the city. 

Our must visit places in Bath would have to be the awe inspiring Bath Abbey ensure you climb up the tower for a view of the city, the famous Roman Baths, look around the best preserved Roman baths in the world with their thermal waters and whilst you’re there why not have afternoon tea at the Pump Room Restaurant. Also don’t miss the Jane Austen Centre to learn about all her works and life and end the tour with Afternoon Tea at The Regency Rooms. Bridgerton fans must take a walking tour of the filming locations and there are plenty of organised tours which take you walking through The Crescent and The Circus, which are so iconic to the city. Foodies there are quite a few food tours to get involved in such as the English wine and Cheese experience, or even a vineyard tour. There are also plenty of places to visit for the day if you’re staying a little longer. The Cotswolds and Oxford tour is perfect for a day away from the city!

Oh and you cannot leave Bath without experiencing The Thermae Spa for an afternoon of relaxation!

Who is This Hotel Perfect For?

• One of the most romantic hotels in bath, it’s perfect for couples and anniversary occasions.
• Great for families who like something special being one of the best hotels in Bath with many accolades over the years.
• Great for solo travellers due to its central Bath location.
• Perfect for business visitors as they can walk right into the main Bath centre but also retreat to the hotel for some quiet time.

The Details

• Location: 4 – 7 Russell St, Bath BA1 2QF.
• Find it Here: Map Location.
• Details: Check-in 15:00 and Check-out: 11:30.
• Breakfast: If Bed & Breakfast rate is booked there is a £25 allowance per person.
• Reviews: See what other guests are saying.
• Price Range: £££ depending upon season.

FAQS: Staying At The Queensberry Hotel

Staying at The Queensberry Hotel Round Up

We hope this article has been informative enough to highlight the pros of staying at this beautiful luxury boutique hotel in Bath, steeped in history. From the Roman Baths to countless heritage points throughout the city, Jane Austen themed attractions to great foodie spots, The Queensberry Hotel is the perfect sanctuary to base yourself at. We loved that it was a 15 minute walk away to the Bath Abbey, restaurants and bars as when we got back to the hotel it seemed like it was in an area far away from the bustle of Bath city and one of the most beautiful boutique hotels we have stayed in. The service is second to none, professional and kind as we experienced throughout our stay. A slice of luxury accommodation that feels truly as special as the city of Bath.

Lastly when it comes to luxury, this is luxury that isn’t snobby or stuffy, but wonderfully charming yet cheeky!

Other Bath Related Articles

• A weekend guide to Bath: The perfect 3 day itinerary
• Where to find the best Vegetarian restaurants in Bath

Resources To Help Plan Your Visit

À bientôt

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