No. 15 by Guesthouse, Bath
21st-century Austen romance
Georgian heroines’ heartland
A whimsical addition to Bath’s boutique hotel scene, No. 15 by Guesthouse, Bath appears the picture of 18th-century discretion on the outside: the listed Georgian façade is virtually unchanged since Jane Austen lived not all that far away from its elegant Great Pulteney Street setting. Inside, however, it’s a different story — murals, mish-mashed patterns and modern art are an exercise in charming (Non)Sense and Sensibility. Head straight to the welcoming bar for Bath chaps, dirty burgers and doughnuts served on jewel-encrusted tables; then mosey up to your art-clad trompe-l'oeil-bearing suite. Traditionalists searching for a witty city stay will need no Persuasion to make themselves right at home chez No.15 — after a few days here, you’ll be feeling all the Pride, and none of the Prejudice.
Facilities
Rooms
36.
Checkout
11am, but flexible, subject to availability. Earliest check-in, 3pm.
More Details
Rates don't include a breakfast but a Continental, full-English or à la carte breakfast can be purchased. Our favourites include the homemade seed and goji berry granola and avo on Bertinet sourdough with spiced tomato and poached eggs.
Also
The hotel has a lift to all six floors, and is suitable for guests with mobility issues; one room has also been specifically adapted, but the Coach House rooms have stepped entrances.
Free Internet Access
Laundry
Pet Friendly
On-Site Restaurant
At the Hotel
Free WiFi throughout; on-site parking (space is limited and subject to availability); laundry service; access to a generous pantry with free drinks and snacks. In rooms: TV with Chromecast, turntable and a selection of vinyl, Nespresso coffee machine and tea-making kit, Dyson hairdryer, air-conditioning and Wildsmith bath products
Our Favourite Rooms
The rooms at No. 15 are individually decorated. The Pulteney Rooms are our favourite: thought up by Martin Hulbert — the designer responsible for Smith-approved hotels Chewton Glen, the Grove and Coworth Park — they’re the image of romantic, understated elegance. The marble washstands, high ceilings and vast sash windows are straight from a Jane Austen classic, and the plexiglass furniture adds a whimsically modern touch.
Spa
The subterranean spa (open 9.30am to 7.30pm) is set in the stone vaults below the hotel. Take your pick of holistic, mood-boosting treatments that include bespoke facials, classic massage and reflexology. We’d start with the indulgent couples' Copper Room treatment, where you'll both soak in a copper tub for 30 minutes followed by a 60-minute treatment of your choice. Afterwards, you can unwind with herbal tea or a glass of fizz in the Retreat.
Packing Tips
Aspiring Lizzie Bennets should pack cosmopolitan gear for sightseeing — smart skinny jeans, soft tailoring and ballet pumps will go down well (though you needn’t bother with a corset). Mr Darcys should aim for gentlemanly chic in chinos, blazers and collared shirts.
Also
The hotel's passionate about supporting local designers: keep an eye out for Martin Hulbert’s Lost Earring chandelier and trompe l'oeil heritage detailing.
Children
Children of all ages are welcome at No. 15 — the hotel can provide baby cots, story books and mini teepees, which can be set up before you arrive. Babysitters can be arranged via Norland College
Gallery
Food & Drink
Top Table
Cosy up with a coffee or cocktail in the bar.
Dress Code
Best of British, with a unique twist to match your idiosyncratic surroundings: tweeds, heritage cashmere and pussy-bow blouses will go down nicely, jazzed-up with unusual jewellry.
Hotel Restaurant
A selection of seasonal snacks are on offer at the bar, which, like the rest of the hotel, has plenty of charming details: antique chandeliers, a collection of ceramics and artwork lining the walls, or head downstairs to the equally well-dressed dining space. Ingredients are locally sourced to create a British menu through and through, you might have Dorset charcuterie, Somerset burgers, Bath chaps or Stokes Marsh Farm sirloin. Plant-based options are considered too, and there are fresh doughnuts for dessert. Breakfast is a decadent affair indeed, with stacked waffles and muffins, hashes, black-pudding Benedict and even tiramisu.
Hotel Bar
It’s easy to lose an afternoon in the Bar, a pastel-coloured treasure trove groaning with trinkets: glass tables display vintage jewellery and an accent wall behind the bar is lined in scalloped, leather scales, fashioned to look like exotic fish. Cocktails are skillfully crafted — we like the Pineapple Mezcalita or Cherry-Blossom Daiquiri, or the Somerset Old Fashioned, sloshed with apple-cider-brandy from the county. If you’re peckish, raid the bar's menu of light snacks.
Last Orders
Breakfast is served from 7.30am on weekdays, 8am on weekends, till a lie-in-friendly noon. Brunch runs from noon to 3pm on weekends. The bar is open until 11pm daily, with snacks served from 12.30pm to 9pm.
Room Service
You can have breakfast in your room between 7.30am and 10.30am.
Planes
Bristol Airport is a 45-minute drive from the hotel. If you’re flying internationally, go to Heathrow, from which it’s a two-hour car journey to Bath. The hotel can organise transfers from both airports (from Bristol, transfers start at £40; from Heathrow, prices are available on request).
Trains
The hotel’s closest railway station is Bath Spa, just a five-minute drive from the hotel. The station is well-served by Great Western Railways, and direct services frequently run from London, Bristol and Cardiff. The hotel can organise transfers from £5, or — if you'd like to explore straightaway — a member of staff will meet you at the station to take your bags back to the hotel.
Automobiles
You won’t need a car for exploring the city, which is compact and best discovered on foot. If you’d like a set of wheels, there are car-hire booths at Bristol Airport; follow the A368 to reach the hotel. If you’re coming from London, the journey along the M4 will take just under three hours. The hotel does have charged on-site parking, subject to availability; pre-booking is essential, and guests must vacate the car park by 11am on their day of departure.
Worth Getting Out of Bed For
Best known for its hot springs and 18th-century Georgian architecture, honey-hued Bath has long been a destination for socialites, artists and people-to-know. Stroll along Royal Crescent – arguably the city’s most famous locale – to get a feel for its epochal grandeur, and visit the Holburne Museum (just minutes from the hotel) for a dose of culture: you’ll find Dutch masters, fine English beadwork and intricate tapestry housed there. For an afternoon’s pleasurable card-swiping, wander down Walcot Street in the centre of town to browse independent craft, pottery and antique shops. For a spot of rejuvenation (tired, sightseeing feet can only take you so far), head to the iconic Roman Baths, where the spectacular columned courtyard is lit in the evenings by flickering torchlight. Those left slightly miffed that you can no longer ‘take the cure’ at this historic spot should make their way to Thermae Bath Spa, where the mineral-rich waters are open to the public for a dip. And, if you really think you'd feel the benefit of a shot with 43 minerals, you can purchase a cup of spa water in the Roman Baths' Pump Room for 50p. If you get the vapours at the thought of a wet frilly shirt, pay your respects to Bath's most celebrated former resident at the Jane Austen Centre; or see costumed parades, learn how to cotillion like a pro, then flirt with your fan at a Regency-style ball during September's Jane Austen Festival.
Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt
This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .
