Once the festive season has died down and January begins in earnest, there’s always that feeling of anticipation in what lies ahead for the year. Good intentions are also high on the agenda and so we decided that whether your New Year’s Resolution is to get fit, be healthy, or simply to relax more, we’ve come up with some Top 5 Tips for 2017 for a New Year. Start as you mean to go on with a trip to Bath.
- Indulge in a Spa Break
What better way to start of the New Year and recover from all that stress – the cooking, the family coming round, the unexpected guests, the expectation to party party party on New Year’s Eve – than indulging in one of our Spa Break Packages. We offer all inclusive as well as our Classic Break, but both packages include a visit to the World famous Thermae Bath Spa facilities in the heart of the city. The only place in the UK where you can experience the thermal springs, just as the Romans did 2000 years before.
Included in the Classic Spa Break is 2 night’s in one of our comfortable en-suite bedrooms, with a great breakfast selection of hot and cold foods every day. Entrance to the Thermae Spa is included in the cost (any treatments are extra and must be booked in advance direct with the Spa), plus when you are finished letting the mineral waters soothe your troubles away, you can float back to The Royal to enjoy a Taittinger Champagne Cream Tea – 2 freshly baked homemade scones, lashings of Cornish clotted cream, Tiptree strawberry jam, a pot of Twining’s tea, and a glass of Taittinger champagne.
Our Spa Break packages start from just £159.00 per person for a 2 night stay.
2. Pamper Packages
If you’re unable to head to the Thermae Spa or to book a treatment there, then don’t worry, we’ve teamed up with Awen Health & Beauty to offer you some exclusive Pamper Packages at the Royal Hotel! Book these direct with Awen Health & Beauty before you arrive for your stay and then in the comfort of your own room you can truly chill out.
Let Kelly and her team massage and pamper your worries and tension away with some fantastic treatments. You could enjoy an Indian Head Massage, a ZenSpa pedicure, or go the full Royal treatment and indulge yourself and your partner in the Time Together Package. There’s plenty to choose from.
If you haven’t even had time to stop and book anything, then you’ve always got the option during your stay to see if any of the local salons have last minute availability. It’s always best to ring in advance, but we know that’s not always possible for some people. If you get that sudden urge to treat yourself, then maybe consider popping out to a beauty parlour such as Green Street House, Radiance Wellbeing or Jennifer Luckham Beauty Salon, to name a few.
3. Healthy Eating
We all have those good intentions at the start of the year that always seem to disappear by February 1st. However, if you want to get ahead of the game and at least give your liver and stomach a bit of time off from all that alcohol, processed food, meat, and chocolate goodies over the past few weeks, then you could head to one of these great places. Even if you don’t keep on the wagon, you can at least start off on the right foot.
For those of you who may want to try and get some vitamins and minerals back into your bodies, head to Beyond the Kale for some of the freshest organic juices and smoothies in town. They do take-away if you’re on the move, otherwise take your time and maybe tuck into some great vegetarian and vegan chow in their cafe.
More vegetables than you can shake a (carrot) stick at, The Green Rocket Cafe is somewhere to go if you’re feeling the need for seed…sorry bad joke…but seriously it’s a great venue if you’re on a cleanse, as it’s a totally vegetarian cafe. You can still treat yourself there of course, with their fantastic cakes and pudding, we won’t tell, we promise.
Other great vegetarian and vegan venues can be found in a previous article here.
If you’re staying with us at The Royal, then just let us know in advance of your stay if you have any dietary requirements. We always have healthy options available at breakfast time and on our daily menus – with fresh fish, daily specials, salads, homemade soups, and fruit available.
4. You Like to Move It!
If getting active is more your resolution for the New Year, then Bath is the perfect place to head to. Not only is the city built on hills (7 in fact), but you’ve got some fantastic walks and cycle rides to enjoy.
Heading out of the city along the Kennet & Avon towpath can lead you to explore some of the nearby villages and towns, plus uncover a few hidden pubs along the way (not so healthy we know, but you’ve deserved a drink after all that walking!).
Within Bath itself we’ve plenty of open spaces and parks for you and the kids to run around in. Alice Park and Alexander Park are perfect for children as both have fantastic adventure playgrounds. For the more dedicated walker then head out and up on the 6 mile route around Bath known as the Skyline Walk. You’ll be richly rewarded with fantastic views of the city below.
Around Bath there are many cycle ways and Sustran routes including the popular Two Tunnel track. Don’t forget your helmet and make sure you bring some reflective gear if you are going to be cycling in the early evening.
For those of you who like your exercise indoors, then there are a number of gyms and courts in the city; the ultimate place being the Team Bath facilities up near the University of Bath. Yes, members of the public are welcome here; and at the Sports Training Village us mere mortals can play squash, swim, or sweat it out at the gym next to Olympians and future top athletes.
5. I feel Free
We know that after Christmas and New Year money can be tight; and although the January Sales will be very tempting and another perfect excuse to come stay at The Royal Hotel, we understand if some of you are trying to watch the pennies as well. That’s why we always offer the best rates if you contact us directly, plus our Brasserie and Bar is always open to non-residents as well. To top it all we also offer a FREE Loyalty Card which means you save money every time you spend on a stay, food and/or drink at the Hotel.
When you stay in Bath you can enjoy some FREE places in the city – not just by walking around and venturing into the parks and gardens. Both the Holburne Museum and the Victoria Art Gallery are free to visit (special exhibitions are ticketed) and often run children’s activities during the school holidays.
If you’re after some history and to learn more about Bath then head to Tourist Information Centre where you can find out more about the city with lots of free leaflets; plus you can find out how to join the FREE daily walking tours that the Mayor’s Honorary Guides provide twice a day.
Simply walking and discovering this beautiful city is FREE, and so why not head off the map and explore beyond the centre of town. Try and find the 7 Crescents of Bath and take a picture at each one. Why not try some window shopping in areas such as Kingsmead Square, Margaret Buildings, Walcot, The Corridor and Northumberland Passage. Further out you can head to the shops and delights of Widcombe (5 minutes walk from The Royal Hotel), Twerton, Oldfield Park, Bear Flat and even as far as Batheaston, Claverton, Weston, Larkhall and Camden.
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We hope these fun tips have inspired you to come visit Bath. We look forward to welcoming you all in 2017 to the city and to The Royal Hotel where you can enjoy a relaxing and pampering treat away. If you only have one New Year’s Resolution this year, we hope it’s to visit Bath and stay at The Royal Hotel!
Wishing you all a very happy, healthy and successful 2017!
The Royal Hotel, Bath
Tel: 01225 463134
Email: info@royalhotelbath.co.uk
(All information correct as of December 2016. Photos images copyright – Catherine Pitt, Patch.com, The Royal Hotel, Thermae Bath Spa, Beyond the Kale, Awen Health & Beauty, The National Trust, Visit Bath, The Green Rocket Cafe)