GETAWAY: Grays, Bath

THE good old British B&B. They’re not what they used to be.

Long gone are the days of net curtains, shared bathrooms and awkward small talk with the dressing-gowned landlady over breakfast.

Welcome to the age of the boutique bed and breakfast. And for a shining example of everything that mildly pretentious tag encapsulates, look no further than Grays.

The main criticism levelled at the modern-day B&B is that the heart has gone out of the business; that venues and hosts are profit-driven, clinical and cold. Essentially that the successful boutique B&Bs of the 21st century are merely mini lifeless hotels. Untrue.

While the venue and rooms at Grays are on par with some of the finest hotels I’ve stayed in, it retains the intimacy and soul that you simply don’t experience at the usual chains.

That’s thanks largely to the people. From top to bottom, owners and staff are charismatic and attentive. No waiting at a desk on arrival here. You’ll have your feet up (not literally, behave yourself) on a sofa with a complimentary drink in hand while your luggage is whisked to your room. A friendly chat will give you all the information you need to know about the facilities and the city beyond. You really get the feeling that nothing is too much trouble here.

When you do rise from the sofa you’ll be very pleasantly surprised by the rooms.

Ranging from a standard rate of £125-?200 a night, each of the 12 bedrooms are individually decorated, so they vary in size and decor. This one was vast and beautifully appointed.

Very light and airy, even on a bleak winter’s morning, the room boasts high-spec en-suite facilities and REN toiletries, a large flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi and a generous tray loaded with hospitalities.

Then there’s the view. Elevated on the southern slope in Oldfield Park, Grays’ 140-year-old Victorian Villa looks out imperiously over Bath. And you can soak all that history in through the huge window, or just take the 10 minute stroll into the city centre to experience it up close. And if that’s too much for you, there’s onsite parking too, so you can do the short trip on four wheels.

On to the second ‘B’ in question: Breakfast. it doesn't let the side down. Traditional full English and continental offerings, using locally-sourced ingredients and served in a spacious breakfast room with glass frontage overlooking a well-manicured garden. A perfect start to the day, but it sadly marks the end of the stay.

After leaving behind a wardrobe full of clothes on check-out (not for the first time), attentive staff had gathered my forgotten garments and made a beeline for me, returning them to my grateful arms as I wandered, gormlessly, back to the car park two hours after originally bidding the Grays team farewell.

That kind of personal touch, coupled with a stunning venue in a wonderful city, marks Grays out as something a little bit special.

Grays
9 Upper Oldfield Park, Bath, BA2 3JX
01225 403020
www.graysbath.co.uk