Macdonalds Bath SPA Hotel: Chic Retreat and Relaxation in a Historical City

We came to famous Bath to relax and get away from London’s busy life. Just two hours by car or by train and you're in another world; a world of natural springs, dramatic history and royal luxury. One of the best places to stay and discover the city, in our opinion, is Macdonalds Bath SPA Hotel just a short stroll from the centre.

Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel Main Gates

The hotel used to be the private house of a rich family and you can feel that this place is unique the moment you approach the property. Huge gates and stone columns remind us of the glorious past of the mansion. There is quite a long drive to the main entrance and pulling closer to the hotel is like arriving at a majestic country palace. A very pleasant feeling!

Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel

This gorgeous building looks like something from a postcard or screensaver. It was constructed in 1835, in Greek Revival style, on the order of retired army General Augustus Andrews and originally known as Vellore House. The name probably came from the small town in India that was associated with a high point in the General's military career.

Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel

Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel Garden

This elegant building is set on the hill overlooking Bath city and surrounded by seven acres of land. During the General's time, the property had extensive conservatories and hot houses to provide the great mansion with fruit and vegetables. Nowadays, there is a beautiful garden with lots of flowers, a grotto where you can hide out during hot sunny days and a Doric Temple, the ideal place for a newlyweds' photo session.      

Doric Temple at Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel

After the General and his wife’s death, the residence was resold many times and used for different purposes: as a private house, a hotel, a school for boys and even a hospital in different time periods. The building was also used during World War II and became the residence of the last Emperor of Ethiopia with the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, being a frequent visitor.

Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel Exteriour

Fortunately, the building was sold again in the late 80s to become a hotel. The restoration and refurbishment work took three years to complete at a cost of 22 million pounds. The elegant five-star Bath Spa Hotel, restored to its former glory, opened in January 1990.     

Main Entrance

Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel

We loved the contemporary style of this place, with timeless elegance and traditional values.

Marble reception

When we arrived, it was very busy, nearly lunch time. But the service was impeccable and after a quick check-in in the gorgeous marble reception, we got the keys to our suite. We decided to relax a little bit after the journey and had a wonderful walk in the garden.    

Cedar Suite

Cedar Suite

Our Cedar Suite had a great view overlooking the garden, of giant cedar trees and the Bath skyline. The suite had two rooms: the main area with a king-size double bed and a TV area with a sofa and coffee table. The ideal room for a family with kids.

Cedar Suite in Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel

Another surprise was waiting for us in the room – a handwritten card from the General Manager wishing us a pleasant stay, complete with a box of truffles. The latter were extremely good with Nespresso coffee. By the way, each of the 129 rooms has a Nespresso coffee machine, which is very nice to have. 

Imperial Suite with Fireplace

If you are seeking total indulgence or you came here for a special occasion, we highly recommend booking one of the Imperial Suites. The best rooms in the hotel are housed in a separate wing for total privacy with personal butler service, and canapés and champagne every evening. Some of the rooms offer grand fireplaces, which help to create a very cosy atmosphere for a romantic weekend.  


Imperial Suite

Whichever room you go for – a classic one, four-poster or suite – after a recent three-million-pound investment, they are all are stylishly decorated, refurbished and maintain the atmosphere and appearance of a private house.


Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel Garden

Going to a spa is a “must do” in Bath. Two thousand years ago, the Romans discovered large stocks of healing water here and they decided to build a huge complex of different bath tubs and temples for worshipping the gods in the centre of Bath.  

These natural springs still exist today! And this is the reason why the Royal Family of England and other people from all over the country have been coming here for hundreds of years. Just like we did. 

Outdoor Hydrotherapy Pool

Macdonalds Bath SPA Hotel can be proud of being one of the best luxury and contemporary spa areas in the city. So, we were ready to enjoy it! We grabbed our slippers and robes and appeared in the paradise of smells and sensations. Here, one can find an indoor pool, a thermal suite (offering infrared cabins, rock saunas and aromatic steam rooms) and our favourite – an outdoor hydrotherapy pool with bubbling jets and a waterfall shower, where it's possible to pamper yourself all year round, whatever the weather. And an extensive choice of treatments, of course.

If one has enough energy to visit the gym, qualified instructors are happy to help. Unfortunately, we didn’t.

Macdonalds Bath Spa Hotel

After a long day and a relaxing spa session, we had dinner at Vellore restaurant at the hotel, AA Rosette-awarded for excellent quality and service. Dinner was served in the former ballroom with sky-high ceilings and colonial white pillars. The restaurant is famous for its modern English menu and dishes are made from only fresh local products. We sat at a quiet table in the corner of the restaurant and tried to imagine the balls and dances which took place here many years ago…

The Drawing Room

After dinner, we decided to settle back into comfy armchairs and sip a glass of prosecco in a cosy drawing room with a fireplace. During the day, one can enjoy afternoon tea and delicious pastries here.

Cosy Drawing Room


Afternoon Tea

Award-winning Breakfast at Vellore Restaurant

After an outstanding dinner and excellent evening service, we didn’t have any expectations about breakfast in the hotel. But we forgot, we were in Macdonalds Bath SPA Hotel; even the breakfast here is award-winning with a help-yourself buffet of cereals, fruit, fresh juices, pastries and a menu of hot breakfast choices (normally, porridge and a full English breakfast).

Breakfast at Vellore Restaurant

Colonnade restaurant

During busy days breakfast is set also in Colonnade restaurant.

Breakfast at Colonnade restaurant

Great Pulteney Street

After an amazing day and evening in the hotel, we were ready to discover the city of Bath. The hotel has a very convenient location, just a 15-minute pleasant walk via Sydney Gardens and past the impressive Georgian era buildings of Great Pulteney Street. To say our stay was pleasant is an understatement - we loved every minute of it!  


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