Vanity Fair & MGallery
Revive & Restore
Bath & Beyond
FRANCIS HOTEL
From its Roman baths to its Georgian architecture, Bath has every angle covered for a spectacular reviving weekend adventure.
If there is anyone deserving of the title of the Godfather of Bath, it is surely the architect John Wood the Elder, who oversaw much of the architectural redevelopment that has earned the city its reputation as a Georgian masterpiece. One of his principal achievements is Queen Square, the first speculative development he led, which is also where Francis Hotel now resides, occupying seven of the original 18th century townhouses. With 96 seamlessly interconnected rooms, the hotel’s elegant decor is a reflection of the social refinement at city’s core ever since celebrated dandy and Master of Ceremonies Beau Nash reigned supreme over Bath’s iconic social scene.
When architect John Wood began his project of rejuvenation, he was driven by a desire to restore the city to its Roman glory, during which it was famed for its spa and hot springs. It’s not surprising then, that these twin spirits of renewal and relaxation are essential components to any authentic visit to Bath. The impeccably restored Roman Baths, enchanting as ever, can be visited by day or evening torchlight, while the city’s award-winning Thermae Spa is but a five-minute stroll away.
From here, guests are invited to bathe, like the Romans, in naturally warm, mineral-rich waters while overlooking the historic city. After this, head back to the hotel for a reviving treat in the fabulous Brasserie Blanc, where authentic French delights are available to add the perfect culinary flourish to every moment.
The Beatles
With the release of The Beatles debut LP, Please Please Me, in February 1963, the now legendary four boys from Liverpool were on course for world domination. Their latest single, From Me to You, had just topped the charts, beginning their almost unbroken run of 17 British number one singles, while their follow up, She Loves You, would become the fastest selling record in the UK, and the first to sell over a million copies. On Monday 10 June, 1963, as the band arrived in Bath to play the historic Victorian venue, The Pavilion, there was only one place they could stay for the privacy they needed. With 500 fans crowded outside desperate to catch a glimpse, the band joined the illustrious cast of characters to have spent the night at Francis Hotel. It is still a music venue today, so check listings of what‘s on during your stay and step inside the venue which has also hosted Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Oasis, Blur and Coldplay.
The Bath Blitz
When the RAF bombed the historic German town of Lübeck, it set in motion a retaliation effort from the German Luftwaffe that would have consequences throughout Britain. The Baedeker Blitz chose its targets based on cultural and historical significance, with the goal being maximum impact on civilian life: one city which inevitably made it onto the list was Bath. From April 25 to 27, 1942, Nazi bombs rained down upon the Georgian city, a 500kg one landing on the east side of Queen Square, tearing through 24 metres of the Francis Hotel’s frontage. While casualties were mercifully low as the hotel’s staff and guests had taken shelter in the basement, the impact of the Blitz is still felt through the city: take a stroll down James Street and view the machine gun damage to the Old Labour Exchange.
Francis Hotel
MGallery - Francis Hotel
Queen Square, Bath, BA1 2HH
Tel: (+44)1225/424105 - Email: [email protected]
Reviving Cheltenham
QUEENS HOTEL
Since a warm spring emerged on a Cotswold meadow, Cheltenham has been a hallowed destination for peace, restoration and now literary stimulation.
The year is 1716, and from deep within Bayshill Meadow, a spring is gurgling and bubbling its way to the surface. Around it, hordes of pigeons arrive to feast on the salt deposits left behind. With this, the healing power of the Cheltenham spring was discovered. Word spread fast and wide; soon the water was bottled and sold in London and beyond, with the likes of John Frederick Handel, Samuel Johnson and later even King George III travelling to take the cure, for which the spa was elevated to the title of Royal Well.
But where were all these well-heeled guests to stay in Cheltenham, then but a simple market town? And so, in 1838, Queens Hotel Cheltenham was born. Opening its doors at the south end of the Promenade, the hotel's Palladian-façade, with its Corinthian columns, spoke to the grandeur of the distinguished guests and the spirit of relaxation at the town’s core.
Honouring the new Queen with its name (guests will spot the letters VR engraved into the arches of the ground-floor windows), it soon became a second home to an illustrious catalogue of guests, from Sir Charles Napier, who gave a dinner there before his last military campaign in India, to the Prince of Wales who lunched there in 1897.
The healing spirit of the property has always remained strong, especially when the hotel was filled with the gallant soldiers rescued from Dunkirk in the Second World War. Today it unifies its Georgian heritage with a 21st century refinement in everything from its perfectly balanced interiors, which still feature the hotel’s original wallpaper by Gothic Revivalist Augustus Pugin, to its elegant Orangery Restaurant.
Literary Delights
While the town’s springs no longer attract the crowds they once did, Cheltenham’s Literature Festival —the longest running festival of its kind — has become a modern-day clarion call for the world’s brightest and most curious minds. Since 1949, an international cast of authors, actors, biographers and politicians have descended upon the Cotswolds’ town to feast upon the greatest contemporary literary creations while debating the big questions confronting our society. A visit to Queens Cheltenham during the Festival adds an intellectual flourish to an otherwise revitalizing trip; previous speakers have included Stephen Hawking, Martin Amis, Zadie Smith and Salman Rushdie. But do keep your eyes peeled around the hotel lobby: like the statesmen, royals, artists and composers before them, countless authors turn to Queens Cheltenham as their home from home during the Festival, so a familiar face is never too far away.
Queens Hotel
MGallery - Queens Hotel
The Promenade, Cheltenham, GL50 1NN
Tel: (+44)1242514754 - Email: [email protected]
4 Reasons to Love MGallery by Sofitel
An Eclectic Collection
Whether it’s an Art Deco palace or a medieval fortress, each property represents a unique historical personality and the opportunity to explore a bygone age
An Unforgettable Experience
Always willing to go the extra mile, MGallery offers an unprecedented, immersive experience; from private tours to exotic excursions, these are moments you won’t forget
A Relaxing Retreat
What would an exquisite hotel be without its caring and considerate staff? With MGallery guests are invited to cocoon themselves away from the stresses of the world and be waited on with intuition and care
An Authentic Encounter
Scattered across the world, MGallery’s hotels seamlessly mirror the local culture and way of life; discover this everywhere from the dining table through to the impeccably considered interiors