MacDonald Bath Spa

in All Posts, Trip to London

I have died and gone to hotel heaven!

When we checked into the MacDonald Bath Spa in Bath, we were very, very happy to discover the staff had upgraded up to the Executive Suite because it’s our anniversary.

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My jaw dropped when we were led (by a butler!) out of the main building (which was constructed in 1835) and into the back building, which hosted the Imperial suites.   We had to take a separate, tiny elevator to access our room!

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Our hotel “room” actually consists of three separate rooms, more spacious than most flats in London!

 

Room #1 was a sitting room, complete with a writing desk, side table for tea, and a couch.  A perfect room for early-morning blogging!  🙂

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Room #2 was the HUGE bathroom with a separate tub, shower, and the largest mirror I’ve ever seen in a hotel bathroom.

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The details are just so lush:

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And Room #3 was the glorious, glorious bedroom, with a soft, squishy California King bed (a luxury unheard of in Europe!):

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Even the “Do Not Disturb” sign is high class! 

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I feel BLESSED!

 

After we photographed the hell out of our luxury room, I snacked on Goldfish crackers and tea:

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And then we took a quick nap before heading out to explore the lovely town of Bath!

 

Dressed all fancy in the evil, but beautiful black boots:  🙂

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I cannot wait to see Bath in the daylight tomorrow – it looks like such a picturesque town.  Actually, it reminds me a lot of St. Augustine, Florida, where we got engaged.  But everything is bigger and better in Bath!

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We had plans to go to Demuth’s, a vegetarian restaurant that we heard excellent things about, but they had no tables left and turned us away at the door!  We ended up going to a chain restaurant called Brown’s, which was pretty good.

 

Remembering my vow to lay off the booze while on vacation, I stuck to sparkling water

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We started with the Camembert cheese, which was baked and crisp on the outside and hot and gooey on the inside.  It was DIVINE with the crusty bread!

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I ordered the vegetarian special, a mushroom tart tatan with beetroot creme fraiche.  The mushroom tart tatan was excellent, but I wasn’t crazy about the creme fraiche – the mustardy taste was overwhelming.

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For dessert, we opted for a traditional British treat, Sticky Toffee Pudding with clotted cream.

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Things to do:  learn how to make Sticky Toffee Pudding!  It was mouth-watering.

 

If you think the hotel room is amazing, wait until you see the spa and pool area – I counted four separate steam/ice rooms, one indoor pool, one hot tub, and one indoor/outdoor pool! 

 

I have grand plans to run 10 to 12 miles through Bath tomorrow morning, and then I think the Husband and I are going to take a dip in the pool.

 

I am now going to sink blissfully into my lovely bed… the fluffy pillows are screaming, “Caitlin! Caitlin!”

{ 61 comments }

 

  • Tami December 28, 2009, 6:10 pm

    MacDonald is my maiden name! i am glad you are having such a great trip-you and Tina are having completely different hotel experiences!

  • Meg C. December 28, 2009, 6:13 pm

    awesome hotel room!! jealous.

  • Kelly December 28, 2009, 6:19 pm

    Seriously, can you please tell how you inform all of these people its your anniversary? When I book hotels, I rarely actually talk to anyone. How do you say “hi give us free stuff- um oops I mean, it’s my honeymoon” haha. I need to know.

    • caitlin December 29, 2009, 2:23 am

      you can either email the hotel directly or put it in the comments section when you book… trust me, it’s worth being a little upfront! the staff of any hotel treats you extra nice if its a special event in your life.

  • Sana December 28, 2009, 6:21 pm

    Wow! I am so happpy that they upgraded you! It looks amazing!

  • Sam (Merit to the Carrot) December 28, 2009, 6:23 pm

    What a stunning suite! You and your husband make a gorgeous couple 🙂

  • Danielle (Coffee Run) December 28, 2009, 6:24 pm

    Everything looks SO nice! And I love your dress 🙂

  • Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar December 28, 2009, 6:25 pm

    Holy crap, woman! I wanttttttttt ittttt! That place is AMAZING!

  • Evan Thomas December 28, 2009, 6:25 pm

    That place is incredible! I think I’d rather live their than my own home

  • Shannon (The Daily Balance) December 28, 2009, 6:28 pm

    incredible hotel! so excited to see the spa area! soak it all in, girl!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is December 28, 2009, 6:30 pm

    You guys look fabulous! Such a gorgeous hotel. Looks like you’re having the time of your lives. 🙂

  • Susan December 28, 2009, 6:34 pm

    Wow wow wow!!! You guys are getting so spoiled there – that’s awesome!! I remember seeing sticky toffee pudding on Lara’s blog. I still don’t know entirely what it is, but just the name alone sounds amazing. Have fun on your run tomorrow!

  • Susan December 28, 2009, 6:36 pm

    Wowza you and the hub are swankin’ it up! Live large sista!

  • Laura December 28, 2009, 6:39 pm

    I’ve wanted to go to a spa for sooo long… Here is a link to THE sticky toffee pudding made in the U.K. by the matriarch of British cooking http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/cuisine/european/english/little-sticky-toffee-puddings-with-pecan-toffee-sauce.html
    If you like those, try the ones from Marks and Spencer- they have toffee centres! Enjoy your run, and day in Bath- but mind the huge snowfall predicted!

    • caitlin December 29, 2009, 2:25 am

      ahhh thanks for that recipe.

      and snow?! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeck.

  • Kailey December 28, 2009, 6:39 pm

    you look so glamourous in the hotel room with your all black attire!!

  • Meghan@traveleatlove December 28, 2009, 6:42 pm

    What a lucky upgrade!I am sooo looking forward to our next European trip after reading this!

  • Amanda December 28, 2009, 6:43 pm

    Looks like an amazing place! You look beautiful and your hubby is SO handsome 🙂

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 28, 2009, 6:43 pm

    That is a pretty fancy hotel room – lucky you!!!! Sounds like you are having an amazing time 🙂

    I will be leaving for a week vacation tomorrow to the Dominican, so I will catch up with your posts when I return in the New Year!

  • Tonyne @ The Unlikely Success Story December 28, 2009, 6:57 pm

    WOW! Swanky digs! That’s it, Jeff and I are vacationing on our anniversary and telling the world. :p Enjoy Bath!

  • Marisa (Loser for Life) December 28, 2009, 7:08 pm

    OMG, that place looks amazing!

    Love your dress!

  • Courtney December 28, 2009, 7:09 pm

    My fave pic is your “I’m a serious blogger typing away on my computer” pose!! LOL!!! SUPER cute dress..hope you guys have fun in your romantic anniversary suite…make good use of the California king!! wink wink!
    Courtney
    adventures in tri-ing

    • caitlin December 29, 2009, 2:26 am

      hahaha yes, that was totally staged.

  • Matt December 28, 2009, 7:10 pm

    Sounds like a cool place to visit! That roon looks epic 😉

  • Madeline @ greensandjeans December 28, 2009, 7:16 pm

    What a beautiful hotel! To say I’m jealous would be an understatement!

  • Erin December 28, 2009, 7:19 pm

    It’s going to be a gorgeous run tomorrow! Can’t wait to see more pics. And sticky toffee pudding is divine — my stepmom makes it but I’ve never tried.

  • Ambersnotebook December 28, 2009, 7:27 pm

    wow looks like an amazing trip!!! You look so cute I love the outfit!

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) December 28, 2009, 7:34 pm

    How nice to get such a beautiful room. I’ve always wanted to be upgraded for something special like that but never seem to travel around those times.

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite December 28, 2009, 7:38 pm

    What a gorgeous dress! Looks like a fabulous time!!

  • Ali@ Food, FItness, Fashion December 28, 2009, 7:41 pm

    OMG that room is insane! Happy Anniversary!!!! I loooooove your dress!!! It looks so adorable on you! So glad you are having fun!

  • Kasey December 28, 2009, 8:22 pm

    Awesome room! Happy Anniversary 🙂

  • Magdeline December 28, 2009, 8:22 pm

    Okay, I am SO jealous!!!!!!!! Nuff said!!!!

  • Nicci@NiftyEats December 28, 2009, 8:27 pm

    Love the room, very nice and your outfit and those shoes are killer!

  • Diana (Mymarblerye) December 28, 2009, 8:34 pm

    I’m officially saying it’s my 1 year anniversary on every trip I go to. I don’t care if I’m with my girlfriends! I wanna be British Royalty ASAP!

  • Lily @ Lily's Health Pad December 28, 2009, 9:01 pm

    I absolutely love your outfit!

  • Kristie December 28, 2009, 9:15 pm

    Okay, I definitely need to start saving up to go there – how beautiful! Live it up lady 🙂

  • Carolyn December 28, 2009, 9:23 pm

    Freaking beautiful!

  • Jenny December 28, 2009, 9:25 pm

    I think you and the Husband DESERVE this great vacation! That room is excellent, and you are so poised in your picture at the computer!

    Love your black dress and the (evil) boots 🙂

  • Anne P December 28, 2009, 9:36 pm

    omg that’s AWESOME!! so excited for you 🙂 nice hotels are the best thing ever.

  • Jenna December 28, 2009, 9:41 pm

    wow! the hotel looks awesome!
    i am glad you had a nice dinner!
    jenna

  • Britt (Runnerbelle) December 28, 2009, 9:50 pm

    What a beautiful place! Enjoy!!!

  • Kristin P. December 28, 2009, 10:01 pm

    nice!!! Sweet room!!

  • Devon December 28, 2009, 10:17 pm

    Wow..Just wow! I am beyond envious!

  • Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen December 28, 2009, 10:35 pm

    oh.my.gosh. Bath looks DIVINE! you are indeed a blessed gal, but completely deserving of it 🙂 can’t wait to see daytime photos of it tomorrow!

  • Nicole, MS, RD, LD December 28, 2009, 10:48 pm

    JEALOUS! Good luck on your run!

  • Good Taste. Healthy Me December 28, 2009, 10:55 pm

    Gorgeous photos!

  • Mary @ Fit this girl December 28, 2009, 11:04 pm

    Your arms look buff and beautiful in your pic at the computer!! Glad you guys are having so much fun!!

  • Molly December 28, 2009, 11:05 pm

    NICE TRICEPS in that picture where you’re sitting in front of the computer. Watch out, Michelle Obama 🙂

  • Christy December 28, 2009, 11:25 pm

    Man alive! Lucky girl!!! 😀

  • amanda@thegrainsofparadise December 28, 2009, 11:28 pm

    Sounds fabulous! Happy for you two 🙂

  • caronae December 28, 2009, 11:42 pm

    Isn’t it so nice when people randomly do nice things? Th room/spa sound great. If only it weren’t blizzarding in my vacation spot (northern canada, lol)…have a great run tomorrow!
    ps- you look like a model in that picture where you’re on the computer!

  • Mrs. Muffins December 29, 2009, 12:05 am

    I am OFFICIALLY jealous. That place looks amazing!!! I’m guessing they know you’re a blogger and that all your readers are going to come visit their hotel after reading your posts and that’s why you were upgraded. Hee hee. 🙂

  • Lauren December 29, 2009, 12:15 am

    Wow Caitlin-that looks incredible! Everything about it sounds luxurious. I hope you are having a great time! Have fun on the run tomorrow..I am sure it will be beautiful!

  • Lara (Thinspired) December 29, 2009, 2:30 am

    Mmmm…sticky toffee pudding is heaven on earth! Thank goodness I only discovered it in my last month in the UK, or I would have eaten it every morning for breakfast!

    Bummer about Demuths! I do like Brown’s though, the Hubs and I always went there when we needed to make a big decision about something (random, just thought I’d share!).
    Looks like you are having a wonderful time!

  • Cindy December 29, 2009, 2:43 am

    Happy anniversary and enjoy the luxury!

  • Karla December 29, 2009, 4:19 am

    That’s sooo exciting! Looks like you’re having tons of fun!

  • Madeleine December 29, 2009, 7:36 am

    Bath is an absolutely stunning place, for sure.

    Sticky Toffee Pudding is something I can give interesting facts about! Ohoho! For one, its not actually made with toffee: its made with dates! Its like treacle tart, which is made with golden syrup rather than treacle. (Ah, yes, treacle tart, another British delicacy I recommend you try while over here on holiday! Its fab with custard, yumyumyum!)

    Happy Anniversary, and have a fab time! 🙂

  • Christina December 29, 2009, 9:25 am

    Happy Anniversary! You are so blessed to have this wonderful experience in England. I’m sure you are, but be sure savor every second of your time there with your husband =)

  • rungirlrunn December 29, 2009, 12:43 pm

    Wow, what a luxurious place to spend your anniversary, it’s beautiful!

  • Rachel December 29, 2009, 5:07 pm

    WOW! You weren’t kidding… that’s beautiful!

    Happy anniversary.

  • LindsayRuns December 30, 2009, 8:28 am

    That hotel room is very nice, I love all the statues in the gardens. Your arms look awesome, btw.

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