The Francis Hotel in Bath is to undergo a £13m refurbishment this summer, with all its 98 bedrooms upgraded along with the creation of a new thermal spa.
The renovation, which is due to begin in July, will also include a reconfiguration of the historic hotel’s lobby, the unveiling of a new restaurant, as well as a new snug bar.
The Queen Square hotel, pictured, part of the three-venue Sutton Hotel Collection, called in award-winning interior designers at London-headquartered UK architecture firm 3DReid to work on the design concept, which takes inspiration from the Georgian era.
Alongside a reinvention of the bedrooms and suites, the refurbishment will include a ‘complete reimagining’ of the ground floor and lobby including the introduction of a snug bar, which will be open to the public during the day before becoming an ‘intimate space”’ for hotel residents to relax over a pre or post-dinner drink.
The hotel restaurant will become the Townhouse Brasserie, which will showcase the finest British cuisine focusing heavily on seasonal and locally grown produce cooked over an open hearth in front of guests.
The Sutton Collection said the restaurant, which will be open seven days a week, will feature traditional English classic flavours while “playfully and effortlessly bringing a chic aesthetic, exquisite wine list and memorable dining experience to new levels of timeless creativity and vibrancy”.
The refurbishment will also include a new thermal spa and three treatment rooms, tapping into Bath’s ambition to be the UK’s number one city for wellbeing.
Sutton Hotel Collection director William Gibbs said: “We are thrilled to be announcing the upcoming renovation of The Francis Hotel.
“This transformation will not only create an even more compelling hotel stay for domestic guests, but also drive even greater interest from more international leisure and business tourists who are visiting Bath.”
The Francis Hotel general manager Shaun Bowles added: “Our vision is to create something incredibly special in the heart of Bath that offers truly personalised and curated experiences to guests.
“A place where guests can be their best selves and our team can be proud to offer a unique and enhanced service.
“Our location is already one of the best in the city, combine that with our fascinating history and compelling refurbishment and we will be one of the most sought-after places to stay in Bath.”
The hotel was one of the first Georgian buildings in Bath and was originally the home of acclaimed 18th century architect John Wood the Elder, who designed the city’s iconic Queen Square, the Royal Crescent and The Circus.
It became a hotel in 1884 after Emily Francis, the widow of Bath builder Solomon Francis, merged seven Georgian townhouses.
The Francis is the latest hotel in Bath and surroundings to be get a multi-million pound refurbishment.
Homewood Hotel & Spa, the 31-bedroom luxury hotel set in 20 acres of grounds in Freshford, has recently undergone a £3m expansion and upgrade, 11 of the most luxurious suites at Bath’s five-star Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa have been refurbished and Lucknam Park, the 42-bedroom hotel at Colerne, has launched a new restaurant as well as upgrading its spa facilities and equestrian centre.
The Sutton Hotel Collection includes the Castle Hotel Windsor and Queens Hotel Cheltenham.
