Bath’s beleaguered hospitality industry has been boosted by the opening of a new hotel and two new restaurants, while one of its oldest hotels has become part of the global Marriott group.
The 166-bedroom Hotel Indigo on South Parade has opened after a delay of nearly two years, along with The Elder, a 60-seat restaurant and bar in the same building.
Meanwhile, boutique hotel The Bird, Bath is to unveil its new Plate eatery next month and the Abbey Hotel has become a member of the Marriott group’s Tribute Portfolio of hotels following a complete refurbishment.
Hotel Indigo Bath, pictured right, has been developed by St James’s Hotel Group from the former Pratt’s Hotel and The Halcyon and Circo nightclub in Grade I listed Georgian buildings.
It is being operated by InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) as one of its 119 Hotel Indigo venues – a chain that has more than 14,500 rooms worldwide.
IHG describes the hotels as “stylish and vibrant” in culturally diverse locations and aimed at people who are inspired by new places, new people and new ideas.
The Elder restaurant has been created by Mike Robinson, owner of the award-winning The Woodsman in Stratford on Avon, who said it will feature ‘authentic, honest and timeless British cooking’.
Mr Robinson and group head chef and former Cliveden chef Gavin Edney will on focus on sustainability, seasonality and locally-sourced and wild produce.
The new space comprises a series of interlinked rooms designed by London-based Fettle.
The Elder describes Its bar as “cosy”, offering classic cocktails, carefully selected wines and local ciders. There is a large terrace on South Parade for outdoor drinking and dining. A separate members club area will be opening next year.
Mike Robinson said: “This will be very much a neighbourhood restaurant. We have put a lot of thought behind every element of the service to create a warm, relaxing spot with excellent food that’s tasty as hell."
The front of house team is led by general manager Paul Halliwell, who was involved in the launch of The Woodsman and was previously In the same role at London's Lutyens Grill and before that at Typing Room and London House.
The Bird, Bath, owned by Bath hoteliers Ian and Christa Taylor’s Kaleidoscope Collection, is to open Plate on October 7.
Designed with head chef Leon Smith, it aims to bring ‘the best of Bath and beyond’ to diners, with a focus on an informal, all-day dining experience.
Head chef Leon Smith has established his reputation at some of the UK’s top eateries, including Tom Aikens in Chelsea, Wild Honey, Bristol’s Berwick Lodge, The Pony and Trap in Chew Magna – one of the UK’s few Michelin-starred pubs – and The Royal Oak at Paley Street, where Smith achieved three AA rosettes.
There will also be a private dining room will also be available for groups of up to 14.
Ian and Christa Taylor bought The Bird, formerly the County Hotel, on Pulteney Road two years ago and have since given it a new identity; increasing the bedroom count from 27 to 31 and adding new meeting space and public areas.
Ian Taylor said he hoped Plate would become a favourite Bath restaurant with locals and visitors.
“Encapsulating a taste of Bath with authentic British dishes celebrating fresh, seasonal produce, Leon’s ever-changing menus feature the finest ingredients from farmers and fishermen, hand-picked by Leon himself to create spectacular, playful dishes ideal for sharing and socialising over” he added.
The four-star, 65-room Abbey Hotel, which was sold by the Kaleidoscope Collection to US-UK group KE Hotels, two years ago, has joined Tribute Portfolio, global hotel giant Marriott International’s newest collection of independent, characterful hotels following its refurbishment.
Tribute Portfolio has more than 35 hotels ranging from boutique resorts such as Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in California and urban hotels such as The Vagabond Club in Singapore and The Slaak in Rotterdam. Marriott said these venues had struck a chord with “those who seek out independent experiences and crave a connection with the community when traveling”.
Manchester-based Street Design Partnership took inspiration from by Bath’s artistic heritage for the refurbishment, with bold print patterns, textured wallpapers and statement colours used throughout as a nod to different branches of art and design celebrated in the city, such as fine art, print, architecture and photography.
The designers developed a rich colour bank of atmospheric blues, greens, oranges and yellows to complement the original architecture of the building by John Wood and provide a backdrop for the property’s extensive contemporary art collection curated by artist-in-residence Emma Taylor.
