Step back in time and explore the rich Georgian history of The Francis Hotel, nestled in the heart of Bath. Occupying seven of the nine townhouses built between 1728 and 1736 on the south side of Queen Square, The Francis Hotel offers a unique glimpse into the elegance and charm of the Georgian era.

In the early 18th century, renowned architect John Wood the Elder set out to restore Bath to its former glory, developing an ambitious plan that would redefine the city’s image. Queen Square was designed to appear like a palace with wings and a forecourt, offering a grand view from the south side. Named in honour of Queen Caroline, wife of George II, Queen Square became a popular residence for Bath’s Georgian elite.

John Wood the Elder chose to live at No. 9 on the south side of Queen Square, which now serves as the entrance to The Francis Hotel. The nine townhouses on this side of the square remained individual dwellings until the late 19th century when local builder Solomon Francis established a boarding house at No. 10 in 1858. By 1884, his widow Emily had expanded the business into Nos. 6-9 and 11, and the seven Georgian townhouses were opened as The Francis Private Hotel.

The hotel has seen significant historical events, including the devastating Bath Blitz during World War II. In April 1942, a 500-kilogram bomb destroyed part of the hotel’s frontage. The hotel was rebuilt in the early 1950s and continued to welcome notable guests, including The Beatles in 1963!

Today, The Francis Hotel stands as a testament to Bath’s rich history, and we are excited to be starting our upcoming refurbishment. Our goal is to keep the Georgian wow factor while incorporating today’s technology, luxurious amenities, and excellent service. We aim to make The Francis a destination for both locals and hotel guests. The transformation will encompass not only the guestrooms but also the introduction of a spa and snug, as well as an exciting destination bar and restaurant.

We cannot wait to take you on our reimagined journey and welcome you to our reincarnation of The Francis Hotel.

Winner of multiple GIA (Glasgow Institutes of Architecture) awards for hotel projects such as the new Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh and Dakota Glasgow, we are super excited to be working with 3D Reid as the interior designers to bring The Francis Hotel story to life.  With a very clear brief to reignite our Georgian heritage whilst appreciating the trends, comforts and needs of today’s business and leisure traveller, we cannot wait to unveil some of the incredible designs planned across our interior spaces.  Here we meet the team working on our project:

Scott Torrance – Director

Scott leads the 3DReid interiors team and works on a diverse range of interior projects and sectors, designing hotels, bars, restaurants, F & B operations and hospitality environments. Scott has extensive experience working collaboratively with clients throughout the UK and is responsible for all aspects of projects from brand creation to project delivery on site. He has a particular interest in historic buildings. Scott’s recent projects include The Cuillin Hills Hotel, The Address Hotel and the AC by Marriott Hotel. Past projects include Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Hotel Indigo, Turnberry Hotel and Gleneagles.

Laura Anderson – Project Architect

Laura joined 3DReid in 2006 and is responsible for the day to day running of projects, production and co-ordination of architectural information liaising with client’s and contractors. Laura has extensive experience across all stages of design and in a variety of sectors most notably in hospitality. Laura has recently completed the Grade A listed luxury Gleneagles Townhouse Hotel in Edinburgh. Other projects include the prestigious Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxfordshire and Gleneagles in Perthshire.

Nicolle Cairney – Senior Interior Designer

Nicolle is a creative interior designer with experience in luxury hospitality, corporate and leisure sectors. Nicolle’s experience spans new build and conversion projects, as well as historic restorations. With responsibility for each stage of a project from concept and feasibility to construction and handover, Nicolle has extensive experience managing projects, developing brand identities, designing bespoke joinery and producing unique concepts to ultimately provide quality, innovative solutions that transform interior environments. Nicolle has recently been responsible for delivering the AC by Marriott Hotel and The Address Hotel, in Glasgow and has led the concept design for the Cuillin Hills Hotel. Her past projects include Custom House Hotel in Glasgow and the Charlemont Hotel in Dublin.

Sutton Hotel Collection today announces a £13 million refurbishment project at The Francis Hotel Bath. The renovation, which is due to begin in July, will include a full revamp to all 98 bedrooms and suites, a reconfiguration of the hotel’s lobby, the unveiling of a brand-new restaurant, as well as the addition of a dedicated spa and snug.

As one of the first Georgian buildings to be built in Bath, The Francis Hotel was once home to 18th century architect John Wood the Elder who was the inspiration behind the first Georgian stone buildings of Queen Square, the Royal Crescent and The Circus. The hotel has been a huge part of Bath’s history ever since. Working with award-winning interior designers 3DReid, the design concept planned for the hotel and all 98 bedrooms will take inspiration from the Georgian era whilst appreciating all the modern amenities and touches that today’s traveller expects.

Alongside a reinvention of the hotel’s 98 bedrooms and suites, the refurbishment will include a complete reimagining of the ground floor and lobby including the introduction of a snug. The snug will be open to the general public during the day and will be an intimate space for hotel residents to relax over a pre or post-dinner drink of an evening.

The project will also see the introduction of a new destination-restaurant, The Townhouse Brasserie which will showcase the finest British cuisine. The Townhouse Brasserie will focus heavily on seasonal and locally grown produce cooked over an open hearth in front of guests. Open seven days a week, the restaurant will combine traditional English classic flavours whilst playfully and effortlessly bringing a chic aesthetic, exquisite wine-list and memorable dining experience to new levels of timeless creativity and vibrancy.

Towards the end of the programme, a brand new thermal spa and three treatment rooms will be created tapping into Bath’s ambition to be the UK’s number one city for wellbeing in the UK.

“We are thrilled to be announcing the upcoming £13 million renovation of The Francis Hotel. This transformation will not only create an even more compelling hotel stay for domestic guests, but also drive even greater interest from more international leisure and business tourists who are visiting Bath.” William Gibbs, Hotel Director of Sutton Hotel Collection.

“Our vision is to create something incredibly special in the heart of Bath that offers truly personalised and curated experiences to guests. A place where guests can be their best selves and our team can be proud to offer a unique and enhanced service. Our location is already one of the best in the city, combine that with our fascinating history and compelling refurbishment and we will be one of the most sought after places to stay in Bath.” Shaun Bowles, Cluster General Manager of The Francis Hotel, Bath.