The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa is one of the most genuinely dog-friendly luxury hotels in Bath, and it treats visiting dogs as proper guests rather than a tolerated extra. Set in the middle of the iconic Georgian Royal Crescent, the hotel runs a thought-through dog programme built around a handful of dedicated dog-friendly rooms, most with direct access to the garden or courtyard so you can take your dog out without walking through the main house.

Dogs stay for £50 each per stay, with up to two dogs per room, and the welcome is a generous one. Rooms are set up with a dog bed, a bowl, treats, a towel and refuse bags waiting on arrival, along with a welcome card. Owners who have stayed consistently single out these small touches, and the warmth of the staff, as the thing that makes the difference. It is the kind of place where the team remembers your dog's name.

Location is a real strength for dog owners. The hotel has use of the private lawn directly in front of the Crescent, where dogs are welcome on a lead with keys from the concierge, and the wider green spaces of Royal Victoria Park are only a short walk away for longer outings. After a walk, dogs are welcome to join you in the bar and out on the terrace when the weather is kind.

A few things are worth knowing before you book. This is a formal, five-star environment, so dogs are kept on a lead throughout the hotel and grounds, and they cannot come into the restaurant, the spa or the spa garden - the bar and terrace are where you will dine together. Dog-friendly rooms are limited and must be requested when booking, so it pays to plan ahead. The pet fee and the dressier setting also mean this suits a calm, well-mannered dog more than a boisterous one.

For dog owners who want a special-occasion stay in the heart of Bath without leaving their dog behind, The Royal Crescent delivers, and it earns a 4.6/5 paw rating.