Behind the golden-stone facade of two mansions, at the centre of Bath’s magnificent Georgian crescent, lies a luxurious hotel with an oasis garden, spa and 12-metre pool. ‘What a pleasant hotel this is,’ writes one reader, who was particularly impressed by the ‘staff who engage, not in a subservient way’. Uniquely styled bedrooms range from the ‘deluxe’, with a queen-size bed and contemporary styling, through ‘heritage’, overlooking the garden or the Royal Crescent lawn, to ‘master’ rooms in the main mansion or coach houses, each with a separate living area. There are also family master rooms, such as Jane Austen, with a conservatory. An all-day menu is served in the Montagu bar (perhaps a croque-monsieur or fish and chips), while in the Dower House restaurant head chef David Campbell’s menus include such dishes as roasted Cornish halibut, Falmouth mussels, spring onions and curry oil. Breakfast brings Agen prunes in Earl Grey tea, Viennoiserie, Manx kipper and more, including something for vegetarians. There is valet parking, a car charging point, and you can order a picnic before setting off to explore this beautiful city. The Royal Crescent is a member of Pride of Britain hotels.