The massive magnolia outdoors Bathtub’s Royal Crescent Resort seems to be just like the happiest tree on this planet.
However then, in the event you reside bang within the centre of some of the lovely terraces on Earth, there’s an excellent likelihood you’d be feeling chipper.
John Wooden the Youthful’s stupendous, curved design has hardly modified a jot because it was constructed between 1767 and 1774 – however the identical can’t be stated for what’s gone on inside Nos 15 and 16.
Not way back, the resort was a part of the Von Essen steady, when that group went bust. Now, Topland has picked up the items, refurbishing it from high to toe at big expense.
Iconic: The Royal Crescent Resort is one among Bathtub’s most great and recognisable landmarks
There are 45 rooms and suites. Ours is a basic double and at £265 for mattress and breakfast it’s the most cost effective on provide. That’s large cash for a small room on the bottom ground with little pure mild, however my spouse retains saying: ‘Sure, however that is the Royal Crescent.’
For certain, the backyard and courtyard is dreamy; the indoor pool, with its vaulted ceiling, flickering candles and flagstone ground, is the closest you’ll get to swimming in a church; the service is charming (the cleaners put on lengthy attire, waiters are in waistcoats); and the entire setting completely beguiling.
But it surely’s not excellent.
The 2 drawing rooms close to the doorway are neither sensible trendy nor stylish old style. They actually don’t make you wish to lounge on a settee with the newspapers and a cream tea.
The brand new Montagu champagne bar is extra of a grand hall than sultry assembly place and the modern touches within the Dower Home restaurant make you’re feeling you would be anyplace.
We order off the a la carte menu (there’s a seven-course tasting menu at £72 per individual), however two dishes (together with the grouse) aren’t accessible.
A spot to remain: Guests to the refurbished property are inside simple attain of the city’s many points of interest
We’ve got drinks within the bar and quarter-hour or so later we’re escorted into the eating room solely to attend an additional 20 minutes for any meals to reach. Even some bread can be good.
‘Sure, however that is the Royal Crescent,’ doesn’t cowl this lapse in focus, not at these costs.
The ‘nice eating’ menu is fancy-pantsy and it’s a must to negotiate arduous if you wish to order off the brasserie menu however eat in the principle restaurant. We handle this, however then want we have been again within the brasserie, the place the lighting is moodier, the ambiance extra intimate.
And right here’s one other factor: even within the unhealthy previous Von Essen days, the fireplace was at all times lit within the corridor. Now it’s all laid and ready to be fired up.
I believe the identical may very well be stated of the entire enterprise at this iconic resort. We should hope that a number of refined modifications will restore the Royal Crescent’s premium standing.
