The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Georgian grandeur with contemporary polish. Warm, quietly elegant, and unapologetically spa-centered. The heritage is present in every limestone column and arched window, but the experience never feels like a museum piece.
Book a Bath Spa Room or Bath Spa Suite to get the thermal water piped into your in-room roll-top bath — the only rooms in the UK that offer this
Why It Matters
The only hotel in the entire UK with natural thermal waters flowing directly on-site — fed by the ancient Hetling Spring — including thermal pool access for all guests and in-room roll-top bathtub thermal water service in select rooms. Holds a Michelin Key and ranked 6th Best Hotel in the UK in the 2024 Condé Nast Traveller Awards.
The Gainsborough occupies two Grade II Listed buildings — one formerly a Victorian hospital, the other Georgian — right in the heart of Bath's UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's the only hotel in the UK with direct access to natural thermal waters, the same Hetling Spring the Romans bathed in, which feed the Spa Village Bath pools and even pipe directly into bathtubs in select guest rooms. Designed by New York-based Champalimaud Design, the 99 rooms blend Georgian architectural references with genuinely contemporary comfort, and the Michelin-recognized Brasserie and daily History & Heritage Afternoon Tea round out a property that earns its claim as Bath's finest hotel.
Where You'll Stay
10 room types available
Bath Spa Room
The Gainsborough's most distinctive standard room category. Airy and bright, with a bathroom alcove roll-top bathtub that fills directly with the hotel's natural thermal waters — the only hotel rooms in the UK to offer this. Includes exclusive Spa Welcome Amenities: luxury bathroom products and a Luxury Eye Pillow.
Bath Spa Suite
The full suite treatment combined with in-room thermal water access. A marble bathroom with an alcove roll-top bathtub that fills directly from the hotel's thermal spring. Separate lounge, king bed, and the same Spa Welcome Amenities as the Bath Spa Room. The suites are located directly above Spa Village for easy access.
King
Courtyard Room
The standout feature here is the tall windows that flood the room in natural light and look out onto Bellotts Courtyard. A genuinely charming aspect, though the room is listed as not suitable for guests with mobility issues.
Deluxe Room
The entry-level room at the Gainsborough, and still impressively appointed. Features contemporary two-poster queen-size beds and custom furnishings by Champalimaud Design. Some rooms offer city views. Standard five-star amenities throughout: Elemis toiletries, Nespresso, Roberts radio with Bluetooth, flat screen HD TV, blackout blinds, and complimentary WiFi.
Queen (two-poster)
Executive Room
More spacious than the Deluxe, with the same Champalimaud Design aesthetic but more room to breathe. Georgian-era details blend with modern fittings. Some rooms offer city views. A good step up without committing to a suite.
Gainsborough Suite
A generously proportioned corner suite with some of the best views in the house. Spacious lounge area, king bed, and a double sofa bed. The corner position gives it more light and more of a sense of occasion than standard suites.
KingJunior Suite
Generous sizing with a separate seating area. Certain suites also look out over the city. A solid choice for anyone wanting suite space without the full price tag of the top-category options.
KingKing Suite
The larger suites with city views, a contemporary two-poster king bed, a separate seating area, and a comfortable double sofa bed. Works well for families or those wanting extra space and flexibility.
KingThe Townhouse
A separately standing adjacent Georgian townhouse, available for exclusive rental to groups of up to five. Spread over four floors with a full-service kitchen, dining room, drawing room, outdoor patio, and a Bang & Olufsen TV setup. Guests get full access to all Gainsborough Bath Spa facilities including the spa. Comes with complimentary champagne on arrival, welcome hamper, daily newspapers, fresh fruit, and turndown service. The Master Suite on the third floor has a silk-linen king bed and silver roll-top bath.
Three bedrooms (King + Queen + Single)
Two-Bedroom Suite
Split across two levels with a separate living area — ideal for small groups or families who want proper suite living. Two king-size beds, a double sofa bed, and a proper seating area make this the most versatile option for groups of three or four.
Two KingsThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Equipped with Technogym cardio and resistance machines. Located within Spa Village, available round the clock for hotel guests.
Guests visiting Spa Village can use the Aroma Bar to select personalised essential oil blends before treatments. Also stocks spa products and related goods.
The signature Spa Village Bath experience. A self-guided bathing circuit through three natural thermal pools (35°C and 40°C), traditional and infrared saunas, aromatic steam room, ice alcove, and relaxation terrace. The circuit takes approximately one hour. Complimentary for hotel guests during designated hours (8–10am and 7–9pm daily).
The hotel's concierge team can assist with local Bath attraction recommendations and bookings including Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Thermae Bath Spa, shopping districts, and countryside excursions.
A theatrical afternoon tea served daily in the Brasserie at 3pm, woven with stories about Bath's Georgian heritage, Jane Austen, and the history of afternoon tea itself. Includes the signature Gainsborough tea blend, finger sandwiches, hot savouries, pastries, and scones.
In partnership with Strictly Jane Austen, the hotel is hosting two exclusive week-long programmes in 2025 (7–12 April and 13–18 October) to mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth. Features expert-led talks, Regency dance workshops, an embroidery class, a celebratory dinner, and a Jane Austen-themed Afternoon Tea.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Meeting room available for private events and corporate use.
In-room wireless internet access provided throughout the hotel.
Room service available for hotel guests.
On-site chapel available for weddings and private events. Can host receptions with up to 100 guests.
Equipped with Technogym cardio and resistance machines, located within Spa Village.
Gift vouchers available for stays, spa treatments, and experiences.
Full concierge team available for local Bath information, tour bookings, restaurant reservations, and general assistance.
All rooms stocked with Elemis toiletries.
All rooms include tea and Nespresso coffee making facilities.
Limited membership subscriptions available for non-residents to access Spa Village Bath on an ongoing basis.
Three natural thermal pools (35°C and 40°C), traditional sauna, infrared sauna, steam room, ice alcove, relaxation terrace, and thermal water fountain. Open daily 8am–9pm. Complimentary for hotel guests during morning and evening hours.
BUILD YOUR THE GAINSBOROUGH BATH SPA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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