The best hotels in Bath

This is about as central as Bath gets for this price, sitting on Broad Street a short walk from the Roman Baths and Bath Abbey. Rooms are compact and basic, but clean and functional for a city-centre stay. The building itself has some character and the shared facilities are well maintained. Breakfast is available at an extra cost and the staff are generally helpful. A solid choice if you want to save money and spend it exploring the city instead.

Located on James Street West near the train station, this Travelodge puts you within easy walking distance of most Bath attractions. Rooms follow the standard Travelodge formula, clean and no-frills, which is exactly what most guests want here. The location near the rail and bus connections makes it practical for day trips to Bristol or beyond. Parking is available nearby at an extra cost, which is typical for central Bath. A dependable option when prices at boutique hotels are out of range.

The Francis occupies a row of Georgian townhouses on Queen Square, one of Bath's finest historic squares designed by John Wood the Elder. The rooms vary in size but the classic Georgian proportions and original features make the standard doubles feel special. The on-site restaurant serves solid British food and the bar is a comfortable place to end an evening. Staff are attentive without being overbearing. This is a genuinely good mid-range hotel in a setting that earns its price.

Situated on James Street West near the train station, Apex is a modern hotel that contrasts pleasantly with Bath's Georgian surroundings. Rooms are well-designed with good beds and reliable Wi-Fi, which business travellers tend to appreciate. The indoor pool and spa facilities are a genuine bonus at this price point. The Zest restaurant is better than most hotel restaurants and actually draws local diners. One of the more consistently well-reviewed hotels in the city.

The Halcyon is a boutique hotel spread across two Georgian townhouses on South Parade, close to the River Avon and Parade Gardens. Rooms are individually decorated with a tasteful mix of period character and modern comfort. The smaller rooms are cosy rather than spacious, so it is worth upgrading if you have the budget. The lack of a full restaurant means you will eat out, but that is no hardship in central Bath. A quieter alternative to the bigger hotels with real personality.

Hotel Indigo occupies a beautifully converted building on Chapel Row just off Queen Square and carries the neighbourhood-boutique concept well. The design references Bath's spa and Georgian heritage without being kitsch about it. Rooms are stylish and the beds are genuinely comfortable. The ground-floor restaurant and bar have a lively atmosphere in the evenings. This is a good pick for couples who want something with design credentials without going full luxury pricing.

Dukes sits on Great Pulteney Street, one of Bath's most iconic Georgian avenues, and the building alone justifies a stay. Rooms have been renovated to a high standard while keeping the period character intact. The Cavendish restaurant uses locally sourced produce and is worth booking in advance. Service here is warm and personal rather than corporate. Consistently rated among the top hotels in Bath by guests who return repeatedly.

The Bath Priory is a country house hotel set in four acres of gardens on Weston Road, about a mile west of the city centre. The rooms in the main house have the best character, with high ceilings and garden views. The spa is excellent and the outdoor pool is a rare treat in England. The Michelin-starred restaurant is the centrepiece and meals here are taken seriously. A good choice for families or couples who want space and calm without leaving the city entirely.

The Gainsborough is built on the site of the original spa springs on Beau Street and is the only hotel in Bath with direct access to the city's natural thermal waters. The spa is the main event and it is extraordinary, with three thermal pools fed by the same springs that drew the Romans. Rooms and suites are lavish and the attention to detail throughout is exceptional. The Dan Moon at The Gainsborough restaurant delivers food at the level you would expect for the price. This is genuinely one of the finest spa hotel experiences in Britain.

The Royal Crescent Hotel occupies two townhouses at the centre of Bath's most celebrated Georgian terrace, and there is nowhere else in the city quite like it. Rooms range from elegant doubles to grand suites with views over the sweep of the crescent and the parkland below. The spa, set in the secluded walled garden, is calm and beautifully designed. Dower House restaurant is exceptional and the afternoon tea is among the best in the country. Staying here is less a hotel stay and more a genuine event.