The Bird

“A FABULOUS STAY AT A FABULOUS HOTEL”

We have just returned from a four night stay at The Bird, at the tail end of a two week tour of the UK to celebrate my 60th birthday. The week before we arrived, the lovely Doug rang me to double check if there was anything we needed. On arrival, we were a couple of hours before check in time and… more

We have just returned from a four night stay at The Bird, at the tail end of a two week tour of the UK to celebrate my 60th birthday. The week before we arrived, the lovely Doug rang me to double check if there was anything we needed. On arrival, we were a couple of hours before check in time and there was a delay in seeing someone at reception, despite us buzzing a few times, but a very friendly member of staff who was passing sorted us out and it transpired that we had arrived just as they had a system crash, but all worked out okay and we went had lunch in the sun on the terrace whilst awaiting check in time. We had booked the Deluxe King room a while ago and after reading reviews were worried it may be too dark, as it's on the lower ground floor and overlooks the terrace (meaning we had to have the blind down). However, it wasn't, it was absolutely fine and perfect and with a big skylight (with a ceiling blind that blocked it out at night), we had plenty of light and it was really lovely roomy space. Spotlessly clean, gorgeous big bed, fridge and the in the heatwave, much welcome air conditioning. 3 piece sofa and armchair, plenty of storage and vanity space. Big walk in shower and whirlpool bath. Lovely toiletries and a nespresso coffee machine and Dyson hairdryer. The photos of the room on the website don't do it justice. Behind reception, there is a 'pantry' stocked with cold drinks, fruit and sweets. In main reception, there is a further coffee machine to help yourself to a Nespresso if you want one and beneath it small bottles of fresh milk to take to your room. On day 1, after returning and housekeeping being in the room, I asked for extra toilet rolls, water and coffee pods and asked that they leave the room the rest of the week, there is a little 'do not disturb' cushion you put on the door, so we just left that on and came and went when we pleased and were relaxed knowing we wouldn't be disturbed. Despite us being on the terrace and next to the bar, we had no noise disturbance and on the Friday night when we returned at 10.30, there was a party in the bar until 11, but it didn't disturb us and it ended promptly at 11. Breakfast was amazing, you have to choose a time when you check in (you do then get an email each day asking to confirm this booking, when I enquired I was told I could ignore this, it's something on their system that they are trying to fix) and we understood why we had to pick a time on the first day. Everything is a la carte, even juices and coffees, so it's like a dinner service at a restaurant, you have to book a time. We chose 8.45 each day and it was perfect. Choice of anything off the continental menu (juice, smoothie, granola, yoghurt pot, fresh fruit salad - you could have all of them) and then one thing of the mains - everything from full English, omelettes, shatshuka eggs, build your own etc. You could have filter coffee or cappuccino, macchiato etc. Probably the best breakfast we have had anywhere. Parking is £20 a night, but with limited parking in Bath, it was well worth it. Big shout out to Doug and Isabelle on reception, who we spoke to every day and so helpful. I'm not sure of the name of the breakfast manager and staff, but they were all amazing and especially one waiter, who we also spoke to at night and made a special effort to chat to us. (he had dark hair and glasses and his trousers had braces, he was lovely - he was hosing down the back terrace when we were leaving) All in all, couldn't recommend it enough. An easy walk in to Bath - you can turn right or left out of the hotel and arrive at different sides of Bath, the furthest we had to walk to any restaurant booking was leisurely 15 minute walk, but we could have been at a restaurant within minutes, it's just that we'd pre-booked a couple. Highly recommend the boat trip from the river bank, the ThermaSpa, the Roman Baths and the Jane Austen Centre. Also, The Ivy, The Beefy Boys, Gainsborough Brasserie and the Saracen's Head/Arms Thanks to everyone for a great stay.

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