Hotels in Bath

Where the hotels are

There are 139 hotels listed on BritStays in the Bath area, and nearly all of them are in two places. Bristol has 63 and Bath itself has 53. If you want plenty of choice and the chance to compare a few options side by side, start your search in one of those two cities.

Outside the cities the numbers drop quickly. Wells and Frome have three hotels each. Shepton Mallet, Chipping Sodbury and Wotton-under-Edge have two each, and Castle Cary has one. If you have your heart set on a smaller town, expect a short list and book early.

None of the hotels in this set is listed as a coastal stay. This is a region of cities, small towns and countryside rather than seaside breaks, so if the sea is your priority, look further afield.

Matching the area to your trip

• A city break without a car: 77 of the 139 hotels are flagged as near a train station. In Bath, that includes Polebarn Hotel, Royal Hotel, The Bath Priory and The Lopes Arms. In Bristol, Avon Gorge Hotel and Clifton House carry the same label.
• A quieter base: Tortworth Court Hotel and Swan Hotel in Wotton-under-Edge, or The Manor House at Castle Combe, take you away from the two big cities. Woolley Grange is listed under Bath and is also near a train station, which helps if you don't want to drive.
• Bringing the dog: only 14 hotels are marked pet friendly, so apply this filter first. Swan Hotel in Wotton-under-Edge is one, and it also lists a bar and restaurant. Always ask about room restrictions and any extra charge before you book.
• A couples' treat: just six hotels list a spa. If a spa is the point of the trip, check the facility list for the specific hotel rather than assuming a grander-sounding name includes one.
• Families: the example listings don't record how many guests each room sleeps. Contact the hotel directly about family rooms, connecting rooms or extra beds before you commit.

What the example stays tell you

The facility counts tell you what to double-check. Only 47 hotels list WiFi. That probably reflects how the listings were filled in rather than an actual lack of WiFi, but if you need a reliable connection for work, confirm it.

Restaurants are listed at 24 hotels and bars at 23. The Manor House at Castle Combe lists a bar, restaurant and WiFi. The Yard in Bath lists a bar, cafe and WiFi. If you'd rather not head out for every meal, look for hotels that list these.

Parking is the one to watch if you're driving. Only 21 hotels list it, so check before you arrive rather than hoping to find a space nearby. Disabled access is listed at 29 hotels. Ask the hotel specific questions about step-free entry, lifts and accessible bathrooms rather than relying on the label alone.

The examples also include Days Inn and Berwick Lodge in Bristol and Ancient Gate House Hotel in Bath. Their listings don't show facilities, so contact them directly if any feature matters to you.

Things to do once you're there

Historic houses are the region's real strength. The list includes:

• Dyrham Park, which belongs to the National Trust
• Iford Manor, Great Chalfield Manor, Saltford Manor House and Sutton Court
• Badminton House and Ashton Court Mansion House
• The Bishop's Palace

Not every historic house opens every day, and some only open on certain dates. Check visiting arrangements before you plan a day around one.

In Bath, the Museum of Bath Architecture is an easy addition to a city break. For families, Aquaventure in the Cotswolds is a water park that's handy on a wet day.

If you have a car and a spare day, there are museums further out in Monmouthshire, Wiltshire, Dorset and Gloucestershire. These include Shire Hall Museum, Sherborne Steam & Waterwheel Centre, the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre and the Arcade Archive. Check the journey time from your hotel first.

When to book

You'll have the most flexibility in Bristol and Bath, where most of the hotels are. Outside the cities there are only a handful of hotels per town, so book early if you want to stay in Wells, Frome or Castle Cary. The same goes for anything that depends on a scarce facility: pet friendly rooms (14), a spa (6) or on-site parking (21).

Before you pay, run through a quick checklist:

• Confirm the facilities you need directly with the hotel, as listings aren't always complete.
• Ask about parking, and any charge, if you're driving.
• Check the dog policy in writing if you're bringing a pet.
• Ask about room layout if you're travelling with children or have access needs.
• Read the cancellation terms, especially if you book well ahead.