The Bird, Bath

The Bird faces a busy road just east of Bath's centre. To one side lies a bowling club, and at the back, Bath Recreation Ground, a large, grassed area which includes Bath Rugby's stadium. The city centre is around ten minutes away on foot, and the train station is about a 15-minute walk. Nearby, you'll find The Holburne Museum (Bath's best art gallery) and Bathwick Meadow, which is on the National Trust's Bath Skyline walk.

By car: the hotel is just 40 mins from Bristol, around 2 hours from Southampton or Coventry, and 2 hours 30 mins from London. Paid on-site parking available.

By train: Bath Spa station is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride away, serviced by trains from London Paddington (1 hour 20 mins), Portsmouth Harbour (2 hours 15 mins) and Cardiff Central (1 hour). Book trains to Bath Spa.

Occupying a rather staid Victorian mansion that was called the County Hotel in its previous incarnation, the recently revamped Bird has been completely reimagined as a visually arresting boutique hotel. Owners Ian and Christa Taylor have liberally sprinkled the property with an eclectic array of intriguing art and artefacts.

The owners are much in evidence, and staff are as keen as mustard to please, falling over backwards to provide service that exceeds expectations. At dinner, our waiter was impressively knowledgeable about the dishes on the menu.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Lounge
• Terrace
• Garden
• Pet-friendly
• On-site parking
• Free Wi-Fi

The bedrooms are decorated with individual artworks and soft furnishings. Those at the rear of the hotel are preferable, as they are away from the busy road and have extensive views over the city, taking in Bath Abbey and other landmarks in the distance. More expensive bedrooms have smarter bathrooms with colourful tiling.

Room types: Comfy, Comfy Luxe, Splendid, Splendid Luxe, Feature, Feature Hot Tub

Key amenities: ensuite with Malin & Goetz toiletries, hairdryer, dressing table, TV, bottled water, coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi

Plate, The Bird's casual, open-plan restaurant, is furnished in an upbeat fashion with pretty plates. Chef Leon Smith produces dishes rooted in West Country ingredients that are sophisticated but robust. As well as two indoor bars, there's a colourful outdoor terrace that can serve as a summertime beach bar and a wintry wonderland with seasonal, heated 'dining domes'.

Plate: local produce, modern British cuisine, small plates, outdoor dining. Open every day for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Large plates from £16, three-course set menu £25.