Royal Bath Hotel

What spa have both Bono and Beyonce relaxed at?

The Treatment

What do Bono, Beyonce and Russell Brand have in common? They’ve all sought refuge from prying eyes at the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath. On the Monday following the Glastonbury Festival’s infamous weekend mud slide – still slick with Red Bull – I check into Bath’s most iconic residence after U2 booked out the entire 45-room hotel for the band and extended entourage. There’s something about checking in after a major act has just checked out; no matter how jaded the staff, there’s always a bit of shell shock in the air. Despite the recent Fort Knox-like security measures, the hotel is back to the height of gracious living by the time I pull in for the spa’s popular Black Sand Jewel Massage Ritual. My therapist begins by rubbing me down with a Tahitian black sand scrub, releasing the most intoxicating verbena aroma into the air. After hosing me down on a marble slab in the wet room, she leads me up to a cozy massage suite to conclude the treatment. I’m dubious at the sight of her hands – I’ve seen Cabbage Patch Kids with bigger palms – nevertheless she performs a made-to-measure body massage, customizing to my pressure preferences. It’s a heavenly sojourn of scent and sensibility, fragrance and full body release.

The Benefits

The spa selected Anne Semonin’s black sand body scrub for its combined benefits of white salt and black sand (from French Polynesia), and the excellent hydrating properties of jojoba, calendula and sweet almond oils. Mineral salts revitalize skin and eliminate dead surface cells, rendering the skin velvety soft, smooth and simply glowing.

The Spa

The Royal Crescent, occupying two central buildings in the world's finest surviving Georgian crescent (the buildings are laid out in that shape), is the most austerely situated luxury hotel in the World Heritage City of Bath. In the middle of the most beguiling street in Britain's most cherished city, this hotel harks back to the age when Bath was the cultural epicentre of the civilized world. The buildings were first occupied in 1775 and evoke the patrician air of a Jane Austen novel.

While the hotel is stylistically coherent with its commitment to period antiques, the owner went with a contemporary feel for the Bath House Spa. Created from a converted coach house and stables, the facility embraces both ancient and modern spa culture.

digitally different: Lynsay and Steve at The Royal Bath Hotel

It was an early start for me at A'Courts in Winton as Lynsay, her six bridesmaids, flower girl and Mum all were there to have their hair done. Buck Fizz was opened and the day started really well. We then headed back to Lynsay and Steve's home to get the dresses on. Lynsay's dress Maggie Sottero, Elouise was beautiful as were the Amanda Wyatt bridesmaid dresses in an unusual green and gold shot silk. It was soon time for the ceremony which was held in the Garden Suite, the whole party looked amazing. The sun later shone and it was outside for photos and to enjoy the day's celebrations. Alan and I stayed throughout the whole day, capturing some heartfelt and sincere speeches before the evening reception in the grand De Vere Suite and the dancing began.

The Royal Bath Hotel, A History

The Spectator

The Rhine from Rotterdam to Constance, Handbook for travellers

Frommer's Great Britain

Punch