Bath Hotels with a Swimming Pool for Families
7 family-friendly hotels with swimming pool in Bath . Handpicked for families who want the best.
Swimming is harder to arrange in Bath than the city's spa reputation suggests. The Roman Baths are a museum where nobody swims, and the rooftop pool at Thermae Bath Spa is closed to under-16s, so for most families the hotel pool is the one the children will actually use. Seven hotels on this page list a swimming pool. Four sit in or near the Georgian centre: Apex City of Bath Hotel, The Gainsborough Bath Spa, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa and Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel. The Bath Priory, Homewood Hotel & Spa and the Holiday Inn Express Bath are further out, with more space and easier parking.
Bath is a compact UNESCO-listed city on the River Avon, known for the Roman Baths, Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent. The centre is easily walked, and Bath Spa station has direct trains from London Paddington. The Kennet and Avon Canal towpath gives flat routes for walks and bike rides, and Royal Victoria Park, next to the Royal Crescent, has a large children's play area.
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🏊Why Bath is Great for Hotels with Swimming Pool
In Bath, a hotel pool fills a real gap. The city's best-known waters are either historic or adults-only, and British weather means an indoor pool is the dependable option for most of the year. Almost every pool on this list is indoors; the exception is Homewood Hotel & Spa, whose heated outdoor hot tub pool sits in the Somerset countryside south of the city. Booking a central pool hotel also lets you walk to Bath Abbey, Pulteney Bridge and the Royal Crescent between swims.
For a walkable stay, Apex City of Bath Hotel is the most practical choice. It has an indoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness centre and family suites, and its listing places it a few steps from the main sights, so a morning at Bath Abbey or the Roman Baths can be followed by an afternoon swim without a taxi. With an 8.9 rating from more than 5,000 Booking.com reviews, it also has one of the most reliable scores in the city. Families who travel by train will find the walk from Bath Spa station short, which matters when you are carrying swim bags and luggage.
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa and The Gainsborough Bath Spa are the two upmarket central options. The Royal Crescent, set in the famous curved Georgian terrace, has an indoor pool plus a relaxation pool with massage jets, family suites and a kids' club, and it is rated 9.3. The Gainsborough has an indoor pool and a hot spring bath fed by Bath's thermal water, along with family rooms in a historic building near the Roman Baths. Teenagers who are too young for Thermae Bath Spa can experience the city's mineral water here, so it works well for families with older children.
Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel is the choice for families who want a garden setting while staying within walking distance of the centre. The five-star hotel has a spa and a swimming pool, accepts pets and sits about ten minutes on foot from Bath Abbey. Its 7.6 rating, from more than 6,000 reviews, is the lowest of the pool hotels here, so it is worth reading recent comments before booking. On the plus side, the gardens give children space outdoors, which is rare in central Bath, where most hotels occupy Georgian townhouses with no grounds at all.
Three pool hotels sit outside the centre. The Bath Priory, a Relais & Chateaux property in four acres of grounds less than two miles from Bath Abbey, has an indoor heated pool, a kids' club and a game room. Homewood Hotel & Spa, in 20 acres of Somerset countryside, combines a hydrotherapy pool with the only heated outdoor pool on this list and is rated 9.1. The Holiday Inn Express Bath is the simplest of the three, with a pool, family suites and quick access to the motorways and Bristol Airport, which suits families arriving by car or plane.
Parent's take
For a family pool stay in Bath, I would pick Apex City of Bath Hotel: it has an indoor pool and family suites, its 8.9 score rests on more than 5,000 reviews, and its central position means you can walk back from Bath Abbey for an afternoon swim. Since Thermae Bath Spa turns away under-16s, the hotel pool is what younger children will rely on. With a car and a bigger budget, I would consider The Bath Priory for its kids' club.
Our Top 7 Picks
Hotels in Bath with swimming pool, sorted by guest rating.
Wonderful
564 reviews
This magnificent 5-star hotel in Bath's Royal Crescent offers an indoor swimming pool, a fully equipped gym, and a spa with a relaxation pool and massage jets. It features family suites, a kids' club, and is pet-friendly, with bike rental available.
From
$1478/night
Why families love The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Families will find a luxurious and accommodating stay at this hotel, with family suites providing ample space. The kids' club offers dedicated entertainment, while the indoor swimming pool and spa facilities cater to both relaxation and fun. The pet-friendly policy means no family member is left behind.
Wonderful
331 reviews
Set in 20 acres of Somerset countryside, this 4-star hotel offers a spa with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, and a heated outdoor hot tub swimming pool. The property is pet-friendly and provides a relaxed, luxurious staycation experience.
From
$403/night
Why families love Homewood Hotel & Spa - Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Families looking for a countryside escape will find this hotel ideal, especially with its pet-friendly policy allowing the whole family to join. The outdoor swimming pool and spa facilities offer great options for relaxation and fun. The extensive grounds provide space for children to explore.
Excellent
961 reviews
The Bath Priory is a 5-star Relais & Chateaux hotel set within 4 acres of beautiful grounds, less than 2 miles from Bath Abbey. It features a luxury spa with an indoor heated swimming pool and sauna, a celebrated restaurant, and a casual dining pantry. The hotel also offers a kids' club and a game room, catering to families.
From
$582/night
Why families love The Bath Priory - A Relais & Chateaux Hotel
Families will find The Bath Priory offers a luxurious retreat with excellent amenities for all ages. The kids' club and game room provide dedicated entertainment for children, while parents can relax at the spa or by the indoor pool. The extensive grounds offer space for outdoor activities, making it an ideal choice for families seeking both relaxation and engagement.
Excellent
5,338 reviews
The 4-star Apex City of Bath Hotel offers luxurious accommodation in a prime location, just steps from Bath's top sights. It features spacious bedrooms, free Wi-Fi, and extensive fitness and wellness facilities. Guests can enjoy an indoor swimming pool and a spa and wellness center, with family suites available for larger groups.
From
$343/night
Why families love Apex City of Bath Hotel
Apex City of Bath is steps from the city's main sights, and its indoor swimming pool is the reason I would point families to it: children get a proper swim after a day of sightseeing. Spacious bedrooms and family suites suit larger groups, and parents have extensive fitness facilities and a spa and wellness centre. With an 8.9 score from over 5,300 reviews, it is a strong central choice for families in Bath.
Excellent
3,137 reviews
This 5-star hotel in Bath offers a luxurious experience within a historic building, featuring an indoor swimming pool, hot spring bath, spa facilities, and a fitness center. Guests can choose family rooms and enjoy modern amenities, including minibars and free WiFi.
From
$523/night
Why families love The Gainsborough Bath Spa - Small Luxury Hotels of the World
The Gainsborough Bath Spa occupies a historic building in Bath, and its hot spring bath is what sets it apart for me. Children can use the indoor swimming pool, family rooms are available, and parents get the spa and a fitness centre. Rooms have a minibar and free Wi-Fi. It is a five-star with an 8.7 score, best suited to families who value calm and comfort over dedicated children's activities.
Good
5,273 reviews
This 3-star Holiday Inn Express, located a short drive from Bath city centre, offers modern accommodation with a swimming pool and spa and wellness facilities. It features family suites and is pet-friendly, providing convenient access to major motorways and Bristol Airport. Guests can enjoy comfortable stays while exploring Bath's historic attractions.
From
$249/night
Why families love Holiday Inn Express Bath by IHG
A short drive from Bath city centre, this Holiday Inn Express suits families travelling by car, with easy access to the motorways and Bristol Airport. Its swimming pool is the main attraction for children, family suites give space, and parents can use the spa and wellness facilities. Pets are accepted too. The 7.8 rating from about 5,300 reviews is fair rather than high, so I would book it as a practical base with a pool, rather than for a central stay in Bath.
Good
6,213 reviews
This 5-star hotel, set in beautiful gardens, offers a luxurious stay with a spa, swimming pool, and an award-winning restaurant. Located a 10-minute walk from Bath Abbey, the hotel provides pet-friendly accommodation. Rooms feature private bathrooms with free toiletries and bathrobes, satellite TV, and tea/coffee facilities, with many offering garden views.
From
$251/night
Why families love Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel
Set in gardens about ten minutes on foot from Bath Abbey, the Macdonald Bath Spa gives families green space close to the centre, and many rooms look over the grounds. The swimming pool is the children's highlight, the spa is there for parents, and the restaurant is award-winning. Pets are welcome. The 7.6 rating from over 6,200 reviews is lower than its five stars suggest, so I would book it mainly for the pool, the gardens and the easy walk into Bath.
💡Tips for Choosing a Hotel with Swimming Pool in Bath
- 1Do not plan a swim at the Roman Baths: they are a museum. For actual swimming with children, a hotel pool is the dependable choice.
- 2Thermae Bath Spa only admits guests aged 16 and over, so families with younger children should book a hotel with its own pool.
- 3If you want a pool and a kids' club, The Royal Crescent and The Bath Priory are the two hotels on this list that offer both.
- 4For a summer outdoor swim, Cleveland Pools, a restored Georgian lido by the River Avon, opens seasonally; check its dates before you go.
- 5Arriving by car, consider The Bath Priory, Homewood or the Holiday Inn Express Bath, which sit outside the narrow streets of the centre.
- 6Ask about children's swimming hours when you book: hotel pools in spa areas often reserve some sessions for adults.
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