The Queensberry

Bath, Somerset

There’s a huge sense of fun at this stylish hotel, whose logo is Vanity Fair’s caricature of the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, Oscar Wilde’s Nemesis. More

Good Hotel Guide Review

There’s a huge sense of fun at this stylish hotel, whose logo is Vanity Fair’s caricature of the 9th Marquess of Queensberry, Oscar Wilde’s Nemesis. Laurence and Helen Beere’s ‘exceptional hotel’ in a ‘quirky combination of four town houses’ has pugilism-themed jokes throughout; the decor is knockout too. Junior suites, in former drawing rooms overlooking Russel Street, have floor-to-ceiling windows, an original fireplace, maybe Divine Savages’ Crane Fonda or Portobello Parade wallpaper. Some suites have a seven-foot-square four-poster, a large bathroom with double shower. Club rooms are small but chic, and the use of colour is ravishing. In the Michelin-starred Olive Tree restaurant, Chris Cleghorn’s tasting menus pack a punch with dishes such as Wiltshire lamb loin, anchovy, celery, artichoke, Sarawak pepper; ruby beetroot, alliums, hen of the woods. ‘Food and service were outstanding,’ write readers ‘bowled over by the warm and informative welcome’. Light bites are available in Old Q bar. Continental and cooked breakfasts include pastries, charcuterie, smoked haddock or salmon, a full English or full vegetarian. (Geoffrey Bignell)

Hotel details

Address

4-7 Russel Street
Bath
Somerset
BA1 2QF
England

Telephone

01225 447928

Bedrooms

29. Some on ground floor.

Open

all year, restaurant closed Mon, midday Tues–Thurs.

Facilities

lift, residents’ drawing room, bar, 2 sitting rooms, restaurant (vegetarian/vegan menus), meeting room, in-room TV (Freeview), 
4 linked courtyard gardens, valet parking, unsuitable for disabled.

Background music

in restaurant and bar.

Children

all ages welcomed, extra bed £25 plus breakfast £25, children's menu.

Dogs

assistance dogs only.

Credit cards

Amex, MC, Visa.

Prices

B&B doubles from £190. Tasting menus £95–£135, à la carte £75. 1-night bookings sometimes refused at weekends.