The Solo Scale:
Several years ago, I was tasked with putting together a work retreat in the UK for a global team However, we wanted to get away from the typical London setting and began looking at other locations that would still feel like a getaway, even for our UK employees. We settled on Bath fairly quickly and then got to picking hotels. The goal was to find something on the smaller side that was mid-range in affordability. We also wanted something that had a great deal of charm and amenities. After all, if we had a team that was expecting a getaway in their own country, we needed to give them something that was eclectic, unique, and wouldn’t feel like another day at the office.
Luckily for us, we found The Bird – a Michelin guide hotel. It has 29 rooms, is centrally located and full of charm.
Located on the outskirts of the main Bath area, The Bird has a limited number of rooms on three floors with a restaurant located in the basement (including a bar). For those searching a corporate workspace, they also have a little “cabin” just steps away from the restaurant.
Because it’s got a more limited amount of rooms, the check-in and check-out times are very strict. They store baggage until that time like many other hotels do. There’s no need to worry about lugging your items around if you want to explore Bath. Once it comes time for check-in, you can see your room. There are smaller ones and larger ones, but they all possess the same charm that you’ll find in the lobby.
Once you’re ready to check in, it’s time to enjoy the amenities of the hotel!
The Rooms
The room I was staying in was the Abbey view room with a truly impressive tub (which I never got to use because I was so busy with the event, tragically). The view of the abbey and the greenspace was incredible. The high ceilings made the room feel spacious and the decor was charming and elegant.
Personally, I did find the bed a little firmer than I like, but some people prefer that. Each room also comes with a Dyson hair dryer, which was a huge perk that a boutique hotel like this can offer. The keys for the rooms are old-fashioned as well. They can be given to the front desk if you don’t want to carry around something a little heavier.
The bathroom is spacious (it has to be to have room for the clawfoot tub), with great water pressure and lots of room to get ready. I spoke to others in my group and they had nothing but good things to say. The only complaint was that some of the smaller rooms on the upper floors got a bit toasty, but that might be related to the part where it was unseasonably cold, so the heaters were running a bit overtime.
The Restaurant
With our stay, we had included all of our meals in the package, which meant that we ate nearly exclusively at the hotel. The quality of all the ingredients was above usual hotel food. I have to give a special shoutout to the salmon as well. We had it a few times over, but it was amazing quality. On our first night, we had a welcome reception and the hotel put together a “UK Classics” menu with fish and chips, scotch eggs, and more typical British fare. And yet, all of it felt and tasted elevated.
There wasn’t a single meal that was disappointing at the hotel. They also had a great range of cocktails to choose from, though somewhat limited beer and wine selection. However, there’s still something to enjoy for everyone. It’s a great venue to be adventurous with the menu because you really can’t go wrong.
The Workspace
We were given the outdoor lodge to have our event in. Not only did they cater with passed-trays when we had our mingle on the first night, but they also outfitted it with blankets and throws. Unfortunately, as you might be able to see, this room isn’t entirely secured. We had our event in early March and not only was it cool, but there was an unseasonable snow. It meant that we had to move our workspace inside for the third day of events.
In addition, we did find that the thermostat didn’t seem to respond. However, the room had plenty of space for our twenty-three person group and included a projector and laptop set-up so we could do presentations, while also moving the tables and having space to do activities within the room. It’s a great option for a team building event, but try and do it when the weather is a bit warmer.
The Service
One of the biggest highlights about The Bird is its staff. No matter where you turn, the staff is leaps and bounds incredible. The bartender in the restaurant was constantly making inventive cocktails. The front desk staff accommodated our need to go indoors on day two when it snowed and turned the restaurant into an office space for our team. They also fully transformed the restaurant for a gala.
No matter what we requested, they were able to acquiesce. Plus, they did it all with a smile. The charm of The Bird is definitely its boutique architecture and design, but the secret weapon is the incredible staff.
The Location
Another perk of the hotel is the location. It’s centrally located and walking distance to town, as well as the train station. It’s also a flat walk, so you won’t be hiking uphill. The Roman Baths, the Abbey, Pulteney Road, the River Avon, and the Royal Crescent are all close enough that you can quickly visit them if you’re making The Bird your home base.
Overall, I rank The Bird five out of five stars. The service is amazing to the point that they worked around totally unexpected issues (like when it snowed and we had to move our meeting indoors and they completely revamped the restaurant for us), the staff is amazing, and the rooms are glorious.
Want to learn more about the hotel for a potential future Bath getaway? Check out their website for more details!
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