Abbey Hotel Bath, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

Abbey Hotel Bath, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, occupies a Georgian address at 1-3 North Parade, a short walk from Bath Abbey, the Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa. Marriott's Tribute Portfolio brand is built around independent character, and the hotel's playful decor, art-led touches and informal restaurants fit that approach. The official page lists 62 bedrooms, including family-friendly King Gallery rooms and accessible rooms, and describes several places to eat and drink: the ArtBar for cocktails, the Abbey Tea Bar for afternoon tea and breakfast, and the Abbey Hotel Kitchen restaurant. Room service, daily housekeeping and Wi-Fi are included, and Marriott Bonvoy members booking direct receive free in-room internet. Pets are welcome for a fee. Check-in is from three in the afternoon, check-out is at eleven and the hotel is smoke-free. For a mid-range stay with a central address, it is hard to beat.

Location and getting around: North Parade is on the eastern edge of the old centre, a few steps from the Abbey and the river, with Bath Spa station and the bus station close by. The Roman Baths and Thermae Bath Spa are within a short walk, and Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent are both reachable on foot. There is no hotel shuttle, which makes little difference in a walkable city, but there is no on-site parking either; the Southgate car park is about 100 metres away.

The rooms: with 62 bedrooms the hotel feels intimate rather than corporate, and rooms vary in size because the building is historic. The King Gallery family rooms suit families with children, and the standard rooms are comfortable and well-appointed for a short stay. Ask for a quieter room if you are sensitive to noise, since a central address brings some street activity, especially at weekends and during the Christmas market.

Good to know: the Abbey Tea Bar serves afternoon tea and breakfast, so you can eat in without leaving the hotel, while the ArtBar is a pleasant place to end the evening. Pets are welcome for a fee per stay, with limits on the number per room and some restrictions in rooms and dining areas, so check before bringing a dog. The hotel is a good choice for couples, families and first-timers who want a central base without paying five-star prices. It also suits the Christmas market period, as the stalls are within a few minutes on foot, but book early because rooms are in demand from late November.