Bath is a city that is revered the world over. Millions of people visit the city of Bath each year and find themselves seduced by the Roman Baths, rolling countryside and perfect mix of the historic and contemporary. Despite being on my hit list for a very long time, until this trip I had never before been to Bath. For my first weekend away in this exciting place, I stayed in the boutique Queensberry Hotel which was perfectly placed just a short walk away from the hub of the city.
Nestled below the The Queensberry Hotel is their award winning restaurant The Olive Tree. The hotel and restaurant were founded by Laurence and Helen Beere who chose Bath as their home and as the base for their special creation. With 40 years combined experience in the hotel industry between them the duo injected their sense of flair and meticulous detail to bring alive this quirky property. Originally commissioned as a residential home by the namesake, the 8th Marquess of Queensberry, the hotel is spread across four beautiful Georgian terrace buildings. You will notice the many staircases point to the original features of the four houses that have now been fused together. It can be challenging to find your way around but that all adds to the fun!The Queensberry has 29 rooms which have all been individually designed and furnished with nods to the Georgian era but with a contemporary twist! All rooms include flat screen TV’s, DAB digital radios and ipod docking stations.
The bathrooms are stocked with Mrs White toiletries by Roullier White and have fluffy white bathrobes for you to enjoy! When my guest and I checked into our spacious and beautifully decorated room we were delighted to find a box of luxury chocolates waiting for us as a welcome gift.
Downstairs at The Queensberry, guests can enjoy the comfort of comfortable sitting room areas with complimentary tea and coffee making facilities. If you fancy a wider range of different refreshments or some alcoholic beverages you can pop along to the Old Q Bar any time day or night. When the weathers nice you can also enjoy a drink in the beautifully landscaped walled garden.Attention to detail is something the team are incredibly passionate about at The Queensberry and this uncompromising attitude follows though to their excellent service. This is something I noticed from the moment I arrived, as a valet parked my car and my bags were swiftly taken to my room. The Queensberry also offers a complimentary shoe shine service, and a selection of paperbacks and glossy magazines are provided in your room. There is complimentary WIFI throughout which I found to work perfectly (which isn’t always the case in hotels.) You may notice the absence of a mini bar, but this is replaced by a 24 hour service whereby a member of staff will bring any drinks you request to your room. If you are new to the area (as I was) and are looking for some tourist recommendations, the friendly and knowledgeable concierge is always on hand with helpful advice. My hot tip would be to take a look at The Thermae Bath Spa if you want to take inspiration from the ancient Romans, and truly indulge in a delightful range of spa treatments to soothe the body and mind.The Olive Tree Restaurant, nestled in the basement of the hotel continues to receive rapturous praise from guests and locals alike. Head chef Chris Cleghorn has honed his exceptional cooking skills as the protégé of the famous Michelin star chefs, Heston Blumenthal, Michael Caines and Adam Simmonds. Chris and his team have created a menu that reflects the very best of British, using the finest ingredients to reflect what is in season. As much as possible from the menu has been locally sourced. The majority of the Olive Tree’s meat comes from local farms and during game season, birds are sourced from shoots in the Midford Valley and Norton St Phillip. The celebrated Eades family grow vegetables on their farm which is nestled on the hillside of little Solsbury, and they often plant and nurture crops especially for Chris’s own requirements. With such attention to detail made to the food menu you will not be surprised to learn that the Queensberry beverage list is a myriad of stories – with rare whiskies sourced from the smallest distilleries in Scotland, Ireland, Japan and the USA. The very finest selection of spirits provide the palate with the cleanest and most satisfying of tastes. For those who are partial to a glass of wine you will be impressed to learn that in 2014 their wine list was crowned England’s Best in the AA Hospitality Awards.The Directors vision for The Queensberry is that it should not feel as though you are just staying another night in a hotel, but that it should feel as though you are having a fabulous rest in a friend’s very smart, spare bedroom. I would certainly say that in my experience this relaxed, homely feel has been achieved. I left The Queensberry feeling both refreshed and very well looked after. This trip has certainly ignited a love for the truly amazing city of Bath, so much so that I am already planning my second visit.
The Queensberry Hotel
Russel Street
Bath
BA1 2QF
United Kingdom
