YTL Hotels set up in the heart of Bath

As the first and only hotel to have exclusive access to Bath’s natural thermal waters, The Gainsborough Bath Spa is set to make a big splash in the British UNESCO World Heritage Site. It also marks another first; the first foray in the UK for Malaysian luxury chain YTL Hotels.

The hotel’s Georgian and Victorian facades belong to two Grade II Listed buildings (buildings of special architecture or historical interest in the UK), originally built in the 1800s. The main building of the Gainsborough was originally built as the United Hospital in 1824, designed by John Pinch, when closed in 1932 to become Bath College until 2005. While the essence of the hotel’s rich past has been deliberately preserved, New York-based Champalimaud Design has also modernised its interior with state-of-the-art facilities to bring the property into the 21st century.

Highlights include the Spa Village Bath, which spans over 14,000 square feet. The spa taps into the city’s original thermal springs and integrates the mineral-rich water into their aquatic body therapies. As a nod to the hotel group’s Asian roots, the spa also features signature traditional treatments from the East.

The Asian flavour continues in the hotel’s restaurant, Johann Lafer at The Gainsborough, where renowned Michelin-starred chef Lafer creates inventive fusion cuisine using locally sourced produce. For a more quintessentially English experience, head to The Canvas Room for a delectable afternoon tea. At night, The Gainsborough Bar comes alive; the customised cocktails here are worth a try.

The 99-room hotel sits on Beau Street, a short distance from the city’s historical attractions. As Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Yeoh Tiong Lay, founding member of YTL Corporation aptly puts it, the hotel is surrounded by “authentic natural and cultural beauty”.

The Gainsborough Bath Spa
Beau street, Bath
BA1 1QY, England.
Tel: +44 (0) 1225 358 888
The Gainsborough Bath Spa