Hotel Review, Bath’s five star luxury Macdonald Hotel and Spa, by Sara Dawson

MacDonald Bath FacadeWith its sweeping driveway, seven acres of manicured gardens and majestic Georgian façade, the Macdonald Hotel and Spa in Bath, is a hotel to be reckoned with.

Residing in the heart of the fashionable city of Bath amid the Mendip Hills, the five star mellowstone mansion combines a contemporary style with traditional Scottish values, attracting business people and pleasure seekers alike.

The hotel has an extensive treatment list that could soothe even the most stubborn mind and body, from aroma stone therapy to lagoon hydration facials and Reiki to leg waxing and manicures.

Upon arrival we were struck by the stunning marble reception and drawing room, decorated with sumptuous furniture, classical pillars and fine paintings and antiques – a pleasing myriad of old and new.

We were greeted with warm smiles by the reception staff and butlers who immediately attended to our needs and even gave us a tour of the hotel.

There are few hotels that can retain the grandeur of a countryside retreat in a city centre location, but the Macdonald Hotel and Spa has managed to.

MacDonald-Bath-BedroomAfter a relaxed check in, we were escorted to one of their 129 rooms. Ours was a spacious garden view room with magnificent views of the stone fountains and the cedar trees dusted with cherry blossom, we could even see the roof tops of Bath’s city centre.

Our bedroom had a regal yet stylish feel drawing from a purple and cream colour palette. The room also boasted thick carpets, linen sheets, robes and slippers, a satellite TV and free wifi as standard. I appreciated there being enough detachable hangers to hang all of my outfit choices.

The marble bathroom was a very good size and came with a good selection of Molton Brown toiletries, including conditioner and bath soak. There was even a handwritten card wishing us a pleasant stay, complete with a box of truffles, the latter went down particularly well.

MacDonald-Bath-SpaOur next stop was the hotel spa. Made up of an elegant spa, indoor pool, thermal suite and outdoor hydrotherapy pool, there was a lot to choose from. I particularly enjoyed the thermal suite offering infrared cabins, rock saunas and aromatic steam rooms, and the outdoor pool, which was fitted with air seats and bubbling jets and a ‘waterfall’ shower.

The hotel has an extensive treatment list that could soothe even the most stubborn mind and body, from aroma stone therapy to lagoon hydration facials and Reiki to leg waxing and manicures.

I indulged in a modern skin facial, a purifying treatment designed for skin challenged by city living that helps remove damaging toxins and regenerate skin cells. The Dermalogica treatment range felt amazing on my skin.

To say we were in foodie heaven is to put it mildly, the chefs work from whole raw ingredients using only the freshest produce.

A major plus was that there were separate showers and changing facilities, so I was able to relax and take my time post treatment.

While trying and testing every corner of the spa it became clear why Macdonald Hotel and Spas have collected some of the most coveted spa accolades, among them being awarded four bubbles by the Good Spa Guide – they appear to have thought of everything.

Watching the sun set from the warm waters of the hydrotherapy pool was definitely a highlight for me.

After my afternoon of R&R I’d worked up a real appetite – stopping and relaxing is hard work when you are constantly on the go – so we headed to the Vellore Restaurant for dinner. The AA Rosette-awarded restaurant was pretty spectacular, set in an old ballroom – picture sky-high ceilings and colonial white pillars.

To say we were in foodie heaven is to put it mildly, the chefs work from whole raw ingredients using only the freshest produce. Their meat and fish is true to Macdonald’s Scottish heritage and sourced from approved Scottish suppliers.

Fancying something lighter to start I opted for the John Ross Jnr smoked salmon with salmon rillette and rye bread, followed by braised Scottish beef cheek with creamed potato, braised cabbage and red wine sauce.

To end I couldn’t resist the vanilla cheesecake with forced rhubarb, lemon cream and lavender ice cream – all of the food tasted as good as it sounds.

For something less fine dining and more armchair comfort, the Drawing Room offers comfortable sofas with views over the gardens. There was also the Colonnade bar, which would be ideal for pre-dinner drinks and the Rotunda bar, perfect for a nightcap. We certainly indulged in a couple, just to test it out of course.

After a pleasant and comfortable night’s sleep I woke up refreshed and used the opportunity to try out the gym before breakfast, it was well equipped with an ample number of cardio and weight machines.

Breakfast was as delicious as dinner, with a large selection of juices, fruits, cereals, cheeses, breads, meats and hot options. Among the more traditional fruit like oranges and grapefruits, there was a delicious selection of figs, quite unique to this hotel and not something I’ve seen before.

Location wise the Macdonald Hotel is one mile from Bath Spa Station and historic sites like the Pump Room, the Royal Crescent and the Sydney Gardens, as well as a host of designer and high street boutiques – it is a great base for exploring. We spent the day shopping, well I did.

We left the hotel feeling relaxed and refreshed – the cheerful butler and the seamless restaurant service, the tranquil atmosphere combined with the comfortable bedrooms and the convenient location make this a great hotel destination for those after a luxury stay in Bath. Would we go again – what do you think?

Sara at DKNY eventVisit www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk for more information

About the Author

Sara Dawson is a journalist and web editor of maiden-voyage.com.

About the author

Carolyn Pearson is our Travel blogger and founder of Maiden-voyage.com. maiden-voyage.com is an award winning global business travel network for professional women. Follow Maiden-Voyage: Facebook, Twitter, Linked In
Visa - WeAreTheCity - Pioneer 20 - nominations open
WeAreTech Festival 2024 advert

Upcoming Events

march, 2024

Job Board Banner

Related Posts