Combining a Grade I-listed Georgian setting with colourful contemporary design, Hotel Indigo Bath has become one of the city's most distinctive boutique hotels, while its Brasserie Beau restaurant is quietly establishing itself as one of the most enjoyable places to eat in Bath.
It slightly pains me to admit it as a native Bristolian, but few cities in Britain impress as easily or wear their history quite as elegantly as Bath. Honey-coloured stone glows softly in every direction, Georgian crescents curve across the landscape with mathematical precision and the ghosts of Jane Austen, Mary Shelley, Beau Nash and centuries of fashionable society seem to linger around every corner.
As a result, finding a relatively affordable hotel that can sit comfortably within that heritage while still feeling contemporary is no easy task. Hotel Indigo Bath, conveniently situated just a five-minute walk from Bath Spa train station and within steps of the city centre, manages it remarkably well.
Occupying a row of Grade I-listed Georgian townhouses dating back to the 1740s, the hotel opened in 2020 following an extensive restoration project and now encompasses 154 rooms, making it considerably larger than most first-time visitors might expect. From the street, it appears handsome but relatively restrained, yet step through the doors and the building unfolds into an unexpectedly vast network of corridors, staircases, courtyards and hidden corners, perfect for a weekend getaway.
A Boutique Hotel in Bath That Refuses to Take Itself Too Seriously
Many heritage hotels approach history with reverential seriousness. I was delighted to discover that Hotel Indigo Bath takes a more playful route, and one that consistently reveals new surprises.
The Georgian bones remain firmly intact, but throughout the property there is a sense that somebody had a great deal of fun during the design process. Classical portraiture shares wall space with quirky contemporary artwork, neon pink accents punctuate otherwise traditional interiors and room numbers hang from oversized playing-card tags. No matter where you turn, surrealist design touches and carefully mismatched furniture create an atmosphere that feels faintly reminiscent of Lewis Carroll, and the result is thrillingly unexpected. Most satisfying of all, the hotel celebrates Bath's heritage without becoming trapped by it, balancing elegance with a welcome sense of irreverence and fun.
Inside a Premium Room at Hotel Indigo Bath
My wife and I checked into one of the hotel's Premium Rooms, which continued the property's blend of Georgian charm and contemporary comfort. The room felt notably spacious, helped by original architectural features and high ceilings that reminded us of the building's eighteenth-century origins. Like the rest of the hotel, traditional and modern elements coexist comfortably. Period details sit alongside contemporary furnishings, while the bathroom delivers the sort of spa-inspired luxury expected from an upscale city hotel.
Most importantly, the room simply felt comfortable; a sense bolstered by soft, golden lighting, as well as a view boasting some of the city’s more impressive spires. After a day spent exploring Bath's streets, museums and independent shops, it provided exactly the sort of sanctuary you hope for from a city-break hotel. There was space to relax, plenty of attention paid to the details and, perhaps most importantly, a king-sized bed that practically invited an afternoon nap.
Brasserie Beau Review: A Restaurant That Has Found Its Identity
When I first visited Brasserie Beau – Hotel Indigo Bath’s principal restaurant – shortly after it opened, it felt like a restaurant still working out exactly what it wanted to be. That’s not to say I didn’t like it – I did, especially the standout dish of Bath Soft Cheese souffle that my wife and I still talk about several months later.
However, while the French influences were obvious, the ambition was clear and the quality was already evident, there remained a sense of uncertainty. Returning this year, that uncertainty has disappeared, and it’s been replaced by an almost swaggering confidence that suits the colourful, art-forward interior and candlelit tables.
The Gallic influences remain front and centre, but Brasserie Beau no longer feels as though it's trying to transport diners across the Channel. Instead, it embraces its French inspiration while remaining firmly rooted in Bath. The result is a stylish, welcoming and slightly eclectic restaurant that sits comfortably among the city's increasingly vibrant dining scene, featuring an unintimidating menu packed full of classics with a few neat twists along the way.
Dinner at Brasserie Beau: French Technique Meets West Country Comfort
I began with moules à la crème, because when I see mussels on a menu, I struggle not to order them by the literal bucketful. Seasonality meant the mussels themselves were on the smaller side, but size quickly became irrelevant once the sweet, succulent bivalves met the rich, buttery cream sauce. This was classic brasserie cooking executed with confidence, allowing simple ingredients and careful technique to do the heavy lifting.
However, the highlight of the meal followed soon after; a hake fillet atop a hefty chowder-inspired sauce packed with sweetcorn and clams, creating a dish that combined delicacy with real generosity. The fish itself was beautifully cooked – the pearlescent meat flaked under the fork and yet was robust enough to stand up to all that accompanied it – but it was that sauce that stole the show, rich and deeply savoury without becoming heavy or cloying.
A side order of parmesan fries proved an inspired decision, even if I say so myself. The fries were excellent on their own, but truly came into their own when dragged and dredged through that chowder-like sauce, turning an already impressive dish into something genuinely memorable.
Across the table, my wife opted for cured salmon paired with a wasabi dressing before moving on to fish and chips. The salmon struck exactly the right balance between freshness and richness, while the fish and chips demonstrated that Brasserie Beau isn't afraid to put its own spin on British classics (or stick their neck out in ways other restaurants might lack the confidence to). The haddock arrived in an unusually crisp cider batter carrying subtle notes of fermented apple throughout. It sounds like one of those ideas that shouldn't quite work, yet somehow does. Rather than overwhelming the dish, the gentle sweetness added an extra layer of character and genuine regionality. This is the West Country, after all.
The only real disappointment came from the mushy peas, which tasted suspiciously as though sugar snaps or mangetout had found their way into the mix, creating an unexpected sugary sweetness that felt slightly at odds with everything around it. Still, in the context of the wider meal, it amounted to little more than a footnote.
Service throughout the evening was excellent, led by our waiter Hassan, whose enthusiasm and professionalism struck exactly the right note. Friendly without becoming intrusive, he guided us through the drinks menu, prompting conversations about cocktails and their literary inspirations and offering recommendations with genuine confidence.
An excellent Italicus Spritz provided a refreshing start to the evening, while a mocktail inspired by a Keats poem delivered a suitably literary flourish for a city so strongly associated with writers and artists (although not, as far as I know, with Keats himself). A decent sticky toffee pudding – served with two spoons, as we were nearing bursting point after our sizable fish dishes – brought proceedings to a close, and the lamp-lit city at night beckoned.
A Moonlit Walk Through Bath's Georgian Heart
Dinner was followed by one of those simple experiences that remind you why Bath remains a city so beloved by locals, near-locals such as myself, and the significant number of tourists who flock here each year.
Leaving the restaurant, we wandered through the softly illuminated streets, up and around The Circus and onwards towards the Royal Crescent. Beautiful during daylight hours, the landmark takes on an entirely different character after dark, when the curve of Georgian stone appears in all its theatrical pomp and glory beneath the moonlight.
It’s fair to say that there are few cities in Britain that reward an evening stroll quite so generously, and having somewhat overindulged at Brasserie Beau, the hills on which the city is built were surprisingly welcome. Eventually we wound our way back to Hotel Indigo, ready for bed after an evening of excellent food, cocktails and gentle exploration. Warm, welcoming and comfortable, we slept exceptionally well.
Breakfast at Brasserie Beau
Morning arrived with crisp blue skies and late-October sunshine streaming through the bedroom windows, and brought with it one final opportunity to experience Brasserie Beau, this time in breakfast mode.
Built around a generous continental buffet featuring the usual croissants, pain aux raisins and – impressively – premium-quality crumpets, there’s also table service and a menu from which to order freshly-made cooked breakfast options. The Full English and Vegetarian Breakfast both proved excellent choices, providing exactly the right start to a day exploring Bath. Hearty without being overwhelming, they showcased quality ingredients and careful preparation while delivering all the comforting satisfaction expected from a proper hotel breakfast.
For those, like me, who enjoy their morning coffee with a side of people-watching, breakfast also provided a source of unexpected entertainment. Bath rarely suffers from a shortage of American visitors, and there is something endlessly amusing about watching first-time encounters with black pudding and baked beans. Across the dining room, expressions of curiosity, confusion and mild concern appeared with impressive regularity before giving way, in many cases, to acceptance.
Why Hotel Indigo Bath Is One of the Best Boutique Hotels in Bath
What impressed me most about this return visit was the confidence now running through both the hotel and its restaurant. Hotel Indigo Bath feels entirely comfortable in its own skin, and despite being part of the renowned IHG chain, it cosplays very convincingly as a boutique operation.
Rather than leaning solely on its Georgian heritage, the hotel has embraced a personality that feels playful, creative and distinctively modern without feeling as though it’s trying too hard to be quirky. At the same time, Brasserie Beau has evolved into a restaurant that understands exactly what it wants to be, which is – as it happens – a really rather delightful city centre eatery driven by a talented kitchen team and superb waitstaff.
Together, the hotel and restaurant create one of the most enjoyable stays in Bath. Whether you're visiting for a weekend city break, a romantic escape or simply looking for a boutique hotel with an excellent restaurant attached, Hotel Indigo Bath delivers an experience that feels unmistakably rooted in the city while happily marching to the beat of its own drum.
Book your stay at Hotel Indigo Bath here.
Love historic country house articles? Check out our reviews of Hartwell House, Jane Austen Hotels in England, Bodysgallen Hall, Chillingham Castle and The Falstaff Hotel.
