Hotel’s £10.1m revamp ‘shows confidence’ in city
In a new holiday landscape where staycations are the thing to do, it’s the perfect time for a luxury hotel to open in Bath.
After £10.1 million redevelopment programme, Doubletree by Hilton has opened its doors.
Located on Walcot Street, the hotel overlooks the River Avon and weir from which the hotel says “all of the 176 hotel rooms and public spaces” have drawn their inspiration.
It also boasts an “intimate Secret Garden” and a “unique orangery” overlooking the river – the perfect spot for visitors to experience two of Bath’s favourite pastimes, taking in the view and afternoon tea.
To mark its transformation, the hotel has been offering free freshly baked cookies to the first 100 people who have walked through the door – and free bacon sandwiches and cups of tea for all local taxi drivers between 7.30am and 10.30am, which ends this morning.
Other hotel facilities include a bar and restaurant and a separate cafe area with an outdoor terrace dining area, as well as a private gym and state-of-the-art meetings and events space.
General manager Chris Cottam said: “These are exciting times for Bath and for our staff who have been eagerly awaiting this hotel’s transformation. The Doubletree by Hilton Bath is now one of the biggest hotels in the city with 176 Scandi-style rooms, private gym and an impressive meetings and events space that can house up to 200 people theatre-style.
“It’s clear from the conversations we’re having with customers and booking patterns that more people are opting to stay closer to home here within the UK and Bath is most definitely drawing them in. Regularly voted one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, Bath’s literary connections, Roman Baths and impressive architecture have appealed to travellers for centuries and it continues to do so. So, there couldn’t be a better time for the hotel to open its doors.”
Interim CEO of Visit Bath Kathryn Davis said: “We are delighted to welcome back the newly refurbished Doubletree by Hilton Bath. The huge investment in the property has transformed the hotel, offering new dining experiences and improved facilities benefiting local businesses, residents and visitors staying in the city. While tourism has changed short term, being able to demonstrate this new offer shows confidence in Bath’s ability and strength as a key destination in the recovery of the UK’S visitor economy.”
Although the hotel has long been nicknamed “Bath’s ugliest building”, hotel management will shortly be announcing plans to revamp the exterior in an attempt to win the hearts of local residents who have long seen the hotel as an “eyesore” on Bath’s more genteel landscape.
Further details are expected to be announced later this month.