Royal Hotel, Bath

Conveniently located directly opposite the station, this consists of two bars with quite different characters. The smaller bar along to the right has more of a public bar feel to it, with a plasma on the wall showing the football and a group of guys whose language left something to be desired. By 9:00pm it seemed to have closed as the shutters were down on the bar. The larger and more prominent bar on the corner has more of a hotel lounge feel to it, and offers little in the way of any character but it’s not unpleasant and would no doubt suit some people. It’s quite contemporary, and I daresay recently refurbished with pine wooden flooring, suede armchairs, beige paintwork, pictures on the walls and a trendy backdrop to the bar with a display of wine bottles and coloured down-lighters. Behind this is a dining room. Beers on tap were Abbey’s Bellringer and Greene King IPA. Ciders were Aspall’s Suffolk and Thatcher’s Gold.

Designed by Isombard Kingdom Brunel, the Royal Hotel opened in 1846. Its main asset to the drinking community these days is probably that it is slap bang outside Bath Spa station and therefore acts as a useful destination for those killing 15 minutes before a train. Whilst some would say the interior is stylish, others would merely dismiss it as being rather bland and lacking in atmosphere as Hotel bars tend to do. The main bar has little in the way of pub ambience but then again it doesn’t pretend to be one. The loungey furnishings and plush décor are clearly aimed at the more respectable end of the market although its location alone probably means that it will attract a cross section of customers, many of whom will make up a transient trade. To the rear is a dining room that was reasonably well populated for an early Sunday evening so perhaps that is more of its stock in trade. There was also a side room with a flat screen showing Spanish football to a zero audience. The ales were nothing exciting, namely Greene King IPA, Speckled Hen and Hobgoblin which were sufficient for the purpose of our visit but not really enlightening enough to recommend a specfic visit and whilst it is a pleasant enough place to relax, I can’t see myself using it for anything nore than necking a pint before the train journey home.

More of a hotel bar than a pub with a hotel attached. Can't really recommend it over Bath's other excellent pubs but handy for a last pint before getting the train if you've got 15 minutes to spare.