Venue Review: The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Why Book The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa?

The 18th-century Grade I listed Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is a paragon of Georgian sensibility. Housed in Numbers 15 and 16, at the heart of Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage Palladian Crescent, the hotel is resplendent with a handsome symmetrical frontage set in local sandstone, looking on to the immaculate lawn of Royal Victoria Park. The setting is surely genteel; there is rich heritage and implicit elegance, but certainly no stuffy atmosphere, thanks to the down-to-earth and attentive service of welcoming staff committed to excellence. With all of the bells and whistles you could long for – signalled by the hotel’s two-Michelin Key, AA five-star, and three Rosette status – and a certain aesthetic flair, character is built into the Royal Crescent experience.

Weddings at the Royal Crescent are always bespoke, but for an inimitable house party, opt for exclusive use of the hotel, taking it over, as The Rolling Stones once did, for an unforgettable wedding weekend, uniquely yours.

Venue Style

The season has demanded the rich and the royal flock to Bath for hundreds of years, but with the advent of modern train travel for guests and grooms alike, the Royal Crescent is an increasingly prudent choice for a ‘rus in urbe’ wedding weekend just 90 minutes from London. Indulge in a smart country house oasis while also enjoying the particular charm of Bath’s cobblestone lanes and Roman quirks (and the full convenience of a range of nearby accommodation for guests).

Set The Scene

In such a pleasing setting, there is a certain je ne sais quoi of romance in the air; perhaps it is the proclamations of love that patron saint Jane Austen wrote nearby. Arrive to valet parking and a warm welcome at the front steps of the hotel, through the Georgian doors to the chequered tiles and fresco-covered reception, so classically beautiful it looks like it belongs in a pagoda of Louis XIV. Let this set the style standard; masterfully updated interiors keep every inch of Georgian grandeur – the rich upholstery, gilded frames, and handcrafted furniture – but employ modern verve and playful use of pattern, thanks to the confident hand of local designers Jane Clayton and Woodhouse & Law. This elevated aesthetic does not negate ultimate comfort and cosiness, as ‘Crescent Cat’ Alfie, who lounges by the Drawing Room’s roaring fire, can attest to. And don’t miss a visit to the Spa & Bath House, serene and splendid with Gothic-style windows that open onto the Spa Garden, the ideal location for a post-pamper Taittinger toast to your nuptials.

Event Spaces

The Royal Crescent offers a range of memorable spaces to say your vows. For the most intimate celebrations of up to 20, have the civil ceremony or drinks reception in the cosy Library. Or opt for the light and airy Sheridan Room or the Sir Percy Blakeney Suite – complete with a private terrace ideal for mingling guests – which both accommodate 30 guests for “I dos,” drinks, or the wedding breakfast.

For the largest parties, Montagu’s Mews restaurant cuts a stylish backdrop to host 70 guests for drinks or dinner. Or, for those exclusively using the hotel, there is the unique opportunity to make full use of The Croquet Lawn, accommodating up to 100 guests for a sprawling wedding breakfast. The Lawn can host a marquee designed in your distinct vision, guided by the seasoned events team.

One of the most picturesque options has to be the Walled Garden, abundant with the floral perfume of honeysuckle and roses, surrounded by a natural orchestra of bees, butterflies, and robins. In front of up to 70 guests, say your vows after walking the lavender-lined path to the pergola, designed to be intertwined with flowers of your choosing. Then there is the option of al fresco drinks and dining, serenaded by the twinkle of live music; if music be the food of love, play on, and so on.

Food & Drink

Food is guided by the expert hand of award-winning Executive Head Chef, Martin Blake. The wedding breakfast will be entirely bespoke to you, embodying the key principles of a garden-led menu: clean execution, quality ingredients, and seasonal produce. Head Sommelier Gergo Nyiri’s award-winning wine list will offer all of the expected heavyweights of classic vintages, strong new-world additions from Bulgaria and Uruguay, and, closer to home, wines from a local Somerset vineyard.

Accommodation

The Royal Crescent is home to 45 bespoke, design-led rooms and palatial suites, each featuring bold colours, statement furniture, and regency grandeur: four-poster beds to get lost in, cosy fireplaces, and floor-to-ceiling sash windows. Here you feel the full force of the hotel’s five-star status and every incarnation of sumptuous modern luxury, with Jo Loves fragrance treats to boot. Each of the suites would be fitting for the honeymooners, who are guaranteed plush surroundings and space to sprawl. But the Sir Percy Blakeney Suite may be best for the most lively bridal couple, complete with a drawing room that can host an after-party for 30.

The Story

The Royal Crescent is one of the most epic examples of Georgian architecture in the UK; the 500-foot arc was designed by illustrious English architect John Wood the Younger and completed in 1775. Wood constructed only the façade of 30 frontages, which were subsequently sold, for each of the new owners to build their home behind. One early resident of Number 16 was the formidable women’s rights advocate Elizabeth Montagu, where she hosted meetings of ‘The Blue Stockings,’ a women’s literary club for intelligent conversation. Having been converted in the 1970s, Number 16 is now occupied by the hotel, and, in her honour, the restaurant is named Montagu’s Mews. Up to the present day, the Crescent remains the go-to setting for romantic period dramas, from the historical epic The Duchess to the smash-hit Regency romp Bridgerton.

Eco-friendly

The Royal Crescent has strong eco-credentials, formalised by their ‘Green Key’ accreditation, awarded for excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainability. Plastic is avoided in hotel operations, and energy saving is prioritised, from installing energy-efficient boilers to using LED lighting that promotes electricity conservation. The environmental provenance of suppliers is also considered: the spa uses TempleSpa, who provide cruelty-free, ethically sourced products delivered in fully recyclable packaging. The team goes the extra mile here, collecting leftover soap bars to be recycled by the Clean The World initiative. There is also guest accommodation for environmental travel, with three electric vehicle charging points and a walkable distance from the train station.