Taking the Waters: A Stay at The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel
There is no better base for taking the waters in Bath — private, peaceful, and perfectly placed.
Located directly above the natural thermal springs that have made Bath famous for centuries, The Gainsborough Bath Spa is a five-star hotel with a unique distinction — it offers private access to the city’s world-renowned mineral waters.
The grand hotel entrance
This elegant retreat combines a central location, refined comfort, and a spa experience like no other. As regular visitors to Bath, we rarely need a hotel — but in April, we checked in for a night of relaxation and pampering.
Just a short walk from Bath Spa railway station, check-in was swift and seamless, and within minutes we were upstairs in our Deluxe Room.
The Room — Deluxe, with Subtle Elegance
Our Deluxe Room, located on the second floor, was spacious and comfortable. The muted palette of grey-green walls, crisp white cornicing, and a tall upholstered headboard in pastoral toile felt elegant without being drab.
Our restful room at the Gainsborough
The bed was large and supremely comfortable, with good linens and plenty of pillows. Storage came in the form of built-in wardrobes, neatly concealed behind panelled doors. A writing desk with gold detailing doubled as a dressing table, although a separate mirror with a plug point near the bathroom door turned out to be the more convenient spot for hair drying — a small but practical design win.
There was a Nespresso machine and kettle, along with a bottle of red wine — a perk of booking direct. The flat-screen TV was Chromecast-enabled, which made streaming Netflix easy, and the Wi-Fi was solid.
However, being positioned over Lower Borough Walls wasn’t as quiet as we’d hoped. At night, pub-goers made their presence known, and by morning, the unmistakable crash of glass being recycled outside delivered a rather abrupt start to the day. It’s worth noting when booking — the location is central, but that comes with the usual trade-offs.
Dining in or dining out?
The Gainsborough Brasserie offers an eclectic, globally inspired menu. There’s a definite East-meets-West influence here — from Charred Satay Skewers and Dancing Prawns to Chicken Rendang and Yukibana’s Sashimi Pasta. It’s an ambitious offering for a hotel brasserie and may not be quite what every guest expects in a classic English spa town.
While the wine list is well-curated — featuring English sparkling wines, French classics, and more offbeat choices from New Zealand, Chile, and the Finger Lakes —but armed with our own list of the best restaurants in Bath, we headed out for dinner but not before a G&T in the bar!
G&T
Taking the Waters in Bath
The focus of our stay was the ‘Spa Village’ in the basement. This is a collection of treatment rooms, steam rooms, and saunas arranged around a large, naturally heated pool. The hotel invites you to “enjoy the self-guided bathing circuit and Bath House facilities including three thermal baths, traditional and infrared saunas, a steam room, an ice alcove, and elegant relaxation areas.”
With a strict ‘no phone’ policy, you can float undisturbed in the main pool, looking up through the large atrium roof to the sky above. Two jacuzzi-style pools offer more targeted hydrotherapy. There’s an overall serenity, maintained by the guests themselves, which gives the space a true sense of calm. The water is wonderfully warm, and the pool is large enough — and rarely crowded — to find your own spot and just wallow.
Unlike the Thermae Bath Spa next door, this is a more exclusive way to take the waters. Just you, the other guests, and perhaps the occasional local member. Hotel guests are welcome to use the village free of charge before 10:00 and after 19:00. Access is also complimentary when booking a treatment.
As we had dinner plans, we opted to pay the premium for afternoon access. At around £70 per person, it felt expensive (especially when the midweek room was around £300), but you are paying for exclusivity — and in our opinion, it was worth it. The cheaper option next door uses the same waters, but the experience is worlds apart.
Is this the best hotel in Bath?
There is stiff competition for that title. The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa offers an unparalleled setting, sweeping gardens, and historic grandeur. The Bath Priory, meanwhile, is a refined city retreat that feels more like a countryside house, yet remains just a short taxi ride from the centre.
But The Gainsborough Bath Spa is unique — not just in Bath, but almost anywhere — for its direct connection to the city’s healing waters. For those seeking a luxurious and tranquil way to take the waters, there is no better base.
We stayed at the Gainsborough Bath Spa in April 2025.
If you are thinking of staying in the city, don’t forget to check out our guide to the best record shops in Bath, and watch out for our guide to the best places to eat in Bath.
https://www.thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk/