Bailbrook House Hotel Bath Review: Ferrari Purosangue Tour

Bailbrook House Hotel in Bath, Somerset, is a charming 17th-century Grade II listed sandstone mansion set amidst rolling hills. The property is approached via a long, winding drive, flanked by gracefully flowing trees.

Originally constructed for the affluent lawyer Dr. Denham Skeet, Bailbrook House was designed by the renowned Bath architect John Eveleigh. Eveleigh, known for his work on landmarks such as Camden Crescent, Grosvenor Place, and buildings on Grove Street across Pulteney Bridge, began the project in 1790. However, due to interruptions and the uncertainties of the Napoleonic War, the construction was not completed until the early 19th century, around the same time that Jane Austen settled in Bath.

We visited as part of the Ferrari Purosangue Tour, exploring the most beautiful parts of Bath and Somerset. Cruising up to the hotel in the Ferrari was an absolute delight, passing through the charming blend of landscaped and rewilded gardens.

Parking is straightforward and convenient: simply drop your bags outside the main reception, then drive around to the left of the house to park in the tree- and bush-lined spaces. Inside, you'll be greeted by two receptionists behind a grand traditional wooden desk, offering refreshing lemon-scented water from a gleaming glass urn. The interior features elegant marble and oak panelling, and the check-in process is remarkably quick and seamless.

We were escorted to our rooms on the first floor, The Lady Isabella King Suite. It featured a wooden sleigh bed, complemented by a cherry wood desk and two armchairs. An original fireplace served as a striking focal point for the interior design.

Sunlight poured through the expansive bay windows overlooking the front of the house, filling the room with a warm, inviting glow. The space was generous, featuring ample wardrobe storage, stylish grey carpets, and light green upholstered armchairs. The ambience was enhanced by elegant tall gilt mirrors and dark oak tables and drawers. With ceilings that seemed to stretch towards the sky, the room was bathed in beautiful light, offering breathtaking views of the Avon Valley and the front lawn.

The suite also had perhaps my favourite bathroom of any English hotel. Very apt considering the name of the nearest town! An entire living room of the mansion had been transformed into a luxurious bathing space, featuring oak wood floors, twin marble sinks, Victorian-style taps, a white roll-top bath, a large walk-in glass and marble double rain shower, and a flat-screen remote control 'tilevision' television positioned at the foot of the bath. It was like a spa had been dropped into the lounge, all with a view out over the gardens.

Privacy was ensured by a large conifer, allowing us to enjoy a tranquil bath amidst nature. And, they even provided a shaving kit, toothbrush, and other often-forgotten essentials, which was a thoughtful touch for forgetful guests like me.

Lady Isabella King was a philanthropist who established the Monmouth Street Society to assist the needy through charitable efforts. In 1815, she set about transforming Bailbrook into a residence for The Ladies Association—a community created for ladies of gentle birth and their servants. Wealthier members subsidized those with more modest incomes, ensuring that everyone within the association received support.

There are 13 individually styled feature rooms and suites in the original mansion house, each brimming with individual charm. Alternatively, Bailbrook Court, the hotel’s contemporary wing, offers 75 classic and executive bedrooms.

I recommend reserving the suites in the main house that come with a roll-top bath and/or four poster beds, for that quintessential English staycation. We were told in confidence that The Lady Isabella Suite is the quaintest if not the grandest.

Wandering the meandering hallways was a pleasure, evoking the charm of 19th-century novels. However, they are somewhat sparse and could benefit from additional artwork and a touch of decorative warmth.

The additional buildings for events and corporate functions are still a work in progress. While they are functional and ideal for company gatherings, they do not match the aesthetic splendour of the main building. The main structure is so stunning that the other buildings fall a little short by comparison.

After a quick rinse in the superb double shower, we headed down to the bar and enjoyed the sunshine on the terrace. There, Dobrinka served us a splendid bottle of Bruno Paillard champagne. Then we were ushered into the Cloisters Restaurant with its heritage charm, which features slanting original archways crafted from traditional Bath stone, for a truly lovely evening.

Our waitress Simona at the restaurant was charming, fabulous and informative. Originally from Transylvania, Romania, she had worked in Italy, the USA, and now the UK, and was a truly wonderful hostess.

For dinner, we began with Baker’s bread served alongside a selection of richly flavoured butters. Our starters featured Cured Chalk Stream trout with crisp compressed apple, fresh dill, cool cucumber, and a refreshing anise sorbet, followed by Castlemead chicken beignet with curried emulsion, vibrant mango salsa, and a hint of coriander.

For the main courses, we enjoyed Pan-fried stone bass with succulent Exmoor mussels, buttery Ratte potatoes, tender leek, and silky mussel cream, as well as Poached British halibut with tender courgette, sweet confit tomatoes, saffron-infused potatoes, and aromatic basil purée. We concluded our meal with indulgent Valrhona Guanaja chocolate crémeux, paired with tangy sea buckthorn sorbet, airy chocolate aero, and a zesty sea buckthorn macaroon, as well as a delightful White chocolate parfait with juicy British strawberries, fragrant lemon verbena, and refreshing strawberry consommé.

Delightfully complemented by a bottle of Raccolto A Mano Rosso 2018, a superb blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc grape, recommended by the very knowledgeable sommelier.

Everything was absolutely delicious and flawlessly presented, with each dish arriving on time and flowing seamlessly from one to the next.

Chef Michael Ball has created a menu that celebrates classic ingredients and inventive flavour combinations, providing an exceptional modern British dining experience. Drawing on the natural bounty of the local area and foraging within the estate, the dishes are vibrant and colourful, highlighting seasonality and provenance.

Breakfast is served in the Lansdown Room, located in the new building, which, while functional, lacks the charm of the original structure. However, the generous breakfast hours until 10:30 on weekends receive high praise, contributing to a truly relaxing start to your weekend. Breakfast itself was a delightful smorgasbord, offering a vast variety of delicious pastries, fresh fruit, omelettes, and salmon. The endless options were sure to please any foodie.

Bailbrook House Hotel also offers an outdoor multi-use sports court that can be enjoyed year-round. It is equipped to host basketball, tennis, or five-a-side football, with all the necessary equipment provided. This versatile space is perfect for family fun and recreational activities.

Bailbrook House is charmingly set amidst lovely countryside, just 10 minutes from Bath. It’s the ideal pied-à-terre for exploring the surrounding towns and countryside, as well as the beauty of Bath itself. The seamless blend of historic charm and modern amenities made for a luxuriously relaxed stay. We were enchanted by the beautifully designed rooms and the breathtaking views, and we thoroughly enjoyed the delightful dining and attentive service. And that bathroom was divine, we could have played in there for days.

https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/bailbrookhouse
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