Just a short 30-minute drive from Bristol, Bath offers the perfect setting for a lovely overnight getaway. Known for its stunning Georgian architecture, the city also boasts a wide selection of eateries and bars to keep you entertained well into the night.
We received a gracious invitation to stay at No15, a luxury spa hotel housed in a charming boutique townhouse on the iconic Great Pulteney Street. Our Friday afternoon journey was mostly smooth, with only a bit of traffic extending the trip to about 45 minutes.
Although we had hoped to visit the renowned Thermae Bath Spa in the evening, the last admission at 6pm meant we arrived too late. Instead of rushing, we checked into our hotel and enjoyed a pre-dinner drink.
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Our room, located on the top floor, immediately impressed me with its spacious layout. The leafy view from the window was soothing, while my companion quickly gravitated toward the large, inviting bathtub. The room’s elegant and timeless decor perfectly reflected the hotel’s sophisticated charm.
After settling in, we headed to The Boater for drinks on the hotel’s recommendation. This expansive, multi-floor venue has a lively atmosphere, and we chose the generous outdoor terrace on the ground level to relax.
Back at No15, it was time for dinner. I enjoyed a delicious non-alcoholic piña colada cocktail to start, followed by two starters: a home-cured pork and apple pressed terrine with homemade piccalilli and Melba toast, and whitebait served with confit garlic and lemon mayo. Both were delightful, with the terrine standing out as a new favorite.
For the main course, I opted for the seabass fillet served with kimchi, oyster mayo, yuzu salt, and tenderstem broccoli. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the broccoli was a delicious accompaniment. My partner chose the Stokes Marsh Farm 8oz sirloin steak, accompanied by chargrilled marrow and herb butter, which he proclaimed excellent.
After dinner, despite my lack of skill, I was persuaded to try bowling nearby — a predictably entertaining experience. Later, back at the hotel, we indulged in the spacious bath and sampled some treats from the hotel pantry, including ice cream and sweets.
We both slept soundly in the comfortable, roomy bed. I woke early, as usual, and enjoyed some quiet reading before my 9:30 am spa appointment—a Top-To-Toe Glow treatment. This 90-minute indulgence featured a lemongrass back scrub, massage of the back, neck, and shoulders, a foot scrub and massage, and concluded with a facial and scalp massage. I left feeling completely relaxed and rejuvenated.
Returning to my room still floating from the treatment, I was delighted to find breakfast waiting. My partner had already started his full English after enjoying coffee and fruit in the bath. I chose waffles topped with raspberries and mascarpone — a standout highlight of our stay.
By midday, we headed back to Bristol, feeling as though we had traveled much farther away. This close-to-home luxury getaway proved that you don’t have to wander far to experience a perfect, relaxing escape.