Bailbrook House Hotel

Situated on 20 acres of land in the Bath countryside, Bailbrook House occupies both a historic Georgian country escape and a supplemental modern building right at its side. The historic Mansion House, which originated in the 1790s as a private residence, was completely renovated along with the rest of the property in 2013. The style throughout is elegant and traditional yet with all the taste, decorative flair, and amenities guests would expect from a contemporary revamp. Common spaces feature floor-to-ceiling windows (and some great views of Bath), rich wood furniture, luxurious tasseled drapes, chandelier lighting, original fireplaces, and vintage portraits in ornate gold frames. Most of the hotel's 94 rooms and suites are situated in Bailbrook Court, the property's modern addition that sits at the side of Mansion House, but the 13 individually decorated Feature Rooms and Suites are located right in the mansion. The property attracts leisure travelers, including lots of couples, though families and corporate guests end up here, too.

The hotel is located on 20 acres of beautiful, private land in the quiet English countryside, about two miles outside of the city of Bath (an eight-minute drive). The hotel offers some nice views of the city, and some guests even walk into Bath via the beautiful path along the canal (this stroll takes about 30 to 45 minutes). The number three bus also has a stop just a four-minute walk from the hotel, and guests can take it to get into town in under 10 minutes. Bristol Airport is a 45-minute drive while Heathrow and London are about a two-hour drive, depending on traffic. The Bath Spa railway station is about a 10-minute drive. 

Antique accents; a somber, dark-hued color palette; and a mix of contemporary furnishings make the Bailbrook's rooms upscale yet inviting. Carefully decorated with high-quality furniture, even the entry-level Classic Room feels like an upgrade. In one Classic Room, traditional dark-wood furniture pairs with white walls and sage green accents like an upholstered headboard, throw pillows, and voluminous drapes. A long, vintage architectural picture hangs over the headboard, while two velvety upholstered armchairs and a small table cap off the foot of the bed. The bathroom, too, is high-end and contemporary with a wood floor, beige-tiled walls, and a combination tub and rainfall shower. 

Of the hotel's 94 rooms and suites, 81 of them are Classic and Executive Rooms, situated not in the main house but in the more modern Bailbrook Court right next door. The 13 Feature Rooms -- individually decorated, upgraded rooms and suites -- are located in the original historic structure (Mansion House) and include even more extravagant details. Here guest will find elegantly carved four-poster beds, original fireplaces, tasseled damask drapes, rich cherry-wood desks, enormous marble bathrooms, and modern roll-top tubs.

All rooms are air-conditioned and have desks and sitting areas. Modern amenities include 37-inch flat-screen TVs with Freeview, DVD and CD players, USB chargers and media hubs, and free Wi-Fi. There's in-room coffee and tea service, and mini-fridges come with bottled water and fresh milk for coffee. Rooms also have a selection of magazines, plus safes, hairdryers, clothes brushes, bathrobes, and slippers. Bathrooms are stocked with high-end Gilchrist & Soames individual toiletries. Some rooms just overlook the parking lot, but others have views over Bath.

This property has amenities aimed at country estate-style relaxation: dining, drinking, and lounging. The main house has lots of elegant common spaces with floor-to-ceiling fireside armchairs, leather couches, and vintage style. One lounge is stocked with some reading material and games for kids. 

There are also several on-site dining options. The most basic is the breakfast room (called Lansdown), where the daily breakfast buffet is served. There's a nice selection of hot and cold standards, and as a bonus it's included in the room rate. On weekends, guests can upgrade to cooked-to-order breakfast at the Cloisters. This space, which features vaulted stone ceilings and arched windows, is the hotel's main restaurant. It crafts British-inspired meals from local products. On the weekdays, it's only opened for dinner. There's also the Conservatory Bar and Lounge, named after its conservatory-style rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the countryside. Seasonal terrace seating is also available. Guests can order picnic lunches to go or afternoon tea in the lounges as well. Room service is available 24 hours. 

The biggest downside here is the lack of wellness facilities -- there's no pool or spa. But there is a gym -- albeit a tiny and characterless one -- which includes a treadmill, elliptical, and stationary bike, plus a complete rack of free weights, a bench, and an exercise ball. With 20 acres of private land, there's also space for running and walking. 

The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, a helpful concierge, and staff can arrange for services like dry cleaning and laundry. A wide range of events from weddings to family celebrations to business events can be accommodated in the property's 12 meeting rooms. Parking and Wi-Fi are both offered without a fee.