We are delighted at being voted the 2nd best Hotel in Bath by Tripadvisor.com. We understand the importance of Tripadvisor reviews bacause they are a reflection of what our guests really think about us. We all do this job because we get a buzz from serving guests and making there stay special - so it is so satisfying to know that the extra efforts all the staff put in are appreciated by the most importnat people of all.
We really try hard to make sure guests have the best possible stay whilst they are with us. We are a small friendly and stylish hotel in the centre of Bath - we do not have all the (often unused) facilities of a large chain hotel but what we do have is a personality and real passion for making sure our guests get the best out of their visit to Bath.
There have been many articles in the newspapers about Tripadvisor.com recently about guest houses offering incentives to guests to leave a "positive" review. The system is open to some abuse by the unscrupulous and at the same time it can be very damaging to the hotel if a poor inaccurate review is left malaciously.
We opened in Feb 11 and it was in the first 2 months that we had a bad reviews - as a hotel owner/manager/staff member these are really hurtful especially if one feels they are unfair or written with malace - It seriously takes a few days to get over them because the hotel and what guests think of the hotel is so personal.
However what ever one thinks about sites like Tripadvisor it does encourage good service and best practice within the hotel which is ultimately good for the guest. There will always be times in a hotel where things don't go 100% right for the guest - it is how as a hotel you deal this situation and make it better for the guest. Tripadvisor has certainly sharpened up the way in which the service industry deals with their guests.
The staff work so hard and so i want to congratulate them for the efforts they put in - now we want to be number 1!! We will keep doing our best.
Congratulations and a big thank you for all your hardwork everyone - Hector, Katrin, Magda, Lauren, Aude, Adam, Bella, Andy, Rishi, Alex, Pawel, Agata, Dana, Dawid, Monika and Ylvi.
We are delighted to announce that TripAdvisor.com has awarded The Halcyon the Top Value hotel in Bath. We are extremely please as the TripAdvisor community award is based on reviews from guests that have stayed at the hotel.
We try very hard at The Halcyon to offer value for money in a city that can be on the expensive side. Our philosophy is simple: Contemporary style, friendly service, quality products in the best possible location at a reasonable price. A couple of our rooms are a little quirky and compact but the quality, design and service is always first class.
We are over the moon at this award - look forward to showing you why we got it soon!
Daily Express
January 15th 2011
Despite the fact its history is everywhere, Bath is very much a 21st century city. We were staying at The Halcyon, just a cocktail stick’s throw from Bath Abbey. As well as a stylish bar, it has 21 bedrooms, combining funky lighting and bathrooms featuring walk-in showers and sleek Philippe Starck fittings. The hotel doesn’t have a restaurant but with around 50 on its doorstep it doesn’t need one.
The Halcyon - boutique hotel in Bath city centre. 01225 444 100.
The Sunday Times
5th December 2010
The Halcyon with doubles from £99 is a boutique bolt hole with a Bloody Mary - perfect for breakfast!
Conde Naste Traveller
June 2010
WHAT IS IT? A new boutique hotel in a double fronted Grade I listed Georgian townhouse on South Parade. Its right in the centre of town and a 2 minute walk from Bath Spa train station, which is a godsend as both the traffic and parking in Bath can be a nightmare.
BEHIND THE SCENES. Formerly a tired B&B called Georges' hotel, it was brought last year by Giles Thomas (a property developer who grew up in Bath), given a £3m makeover, and reopened as The Halcyon in February.
SLEEP. Headboards, Cushions and Blankets come in mustard yellow, scarlet or purple;contrasted with white bedlinen and pale grey walls, the effect is smart and stylish without being over blown. Else where the colour palette is subtle, with dark grey curtains and pale walls. Bathrooms have white metro style tiles, Phillippe Starck fittings and White Company products. The 4 studio rooms have a tiny kitchenette within a cupboard, so you can rustle up a basic meal. The original features have been retained, including charming Georgian panelling and beautiful cornicing. The rooms are small, so go for a Deluxe or a Studio if you can and ask for one at the front with views to Somerset Hills.
EAT: There isn't a restaurant but the hotel has a big kitchen and our breakfast, served in the lobby, was excellent and spectacularly good value. My husbands' full English was enormous and included all the usual trimmings as well as a delicious mashed potato patty and black pudding. The bar serves cocktails in the evenings and has a license to serve drinks out the front in Summer, when the hotel will also introduce a light lunch. I am told there will be umbrellas and a big wicker basket full of blankets and hot water bottles for when the weather gets a little nippy.
WHO GOES THERE: At the time of our visit it was Valentines day so it was mostly couples on a romantic break, but I gather the guests usually vary a great deal: couples young and old, families, singles people on business. As Bath is hugely popular with Americans, you can expect a few of them too.
WHAT'S THERE TO DO? The hotel is surrounded by beautiful Georgian buildings made from golden Bath stone and a wonder through the historic Bath streets is a must. Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths are within spitting distance, and the lovely Theatre Royal, which hosts several festivals and plays en-route to the West End is a 10 minute walk away.
WE LIKE: The price; the chic urban interiors in a town where chintz prevails; the jam jars of Smarties in the room;the hotels' bicycles for guests to use.
WE DON'T LIKE: Our room overlooked a flat roof and the back of another row of buildings, which was disappointing. Only 2 of the rooms have baths and they are small.
PRICE: Doubles from £99; Breakfast from £6.99; There is a 2 night minimum stay at weekends.
