The Francis Hotel in Bath will unveil its refurbished bedrooms in November following a £14m redesign led by architecture and design practice 3DReid.
The project has involved a full refurbishment of the 98-room property on Queen Square, including guest rooms, corridors and public areas. The building was originally a row of Georgian townhouses designed by architect John Wood the Elder, and was converted into a hotel in 1884 by entrepreneur Emily Francis.
3DReid, which has also worked on Gleneagles Townhouse and Cameron House, has incorporated Georgian design references while updating the hotel with contemporary finishes. Interiors feature fabrics, bespoke furniture and artwork reflecting the building’s history, while modern amenities include smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, air conditioning and coffee machines.
The hotel’s 98 rooms are categorised as Cosy, Comfy and Generous, and include Hypnos mattresses, rainfall showers and toiletries produced by GAIA, a natural skincare brand based in south-west England.
Shaun Bowles, cluster general manager at the Francis Hotel, said: “This £14m transformation is more than a design update of the Francis Hotel; it’s a complete reimagining of what the hotel stands for. Alongside the physical refurbishment, we’ve made a significant investment in our team, giving them the tools and training to deliver truly exceptional and heartfelt service.”
A new thermal spa is scheduled to open in 2026, featuring a garden retreat and multi-use thermal room. The Francis also added a restaurant, Emberwood, in May, led by executive head chef David Hazell, serving open-fire cooking and a seasonal menu.
The redevelopment is part of an effort to reposition the hotel as a townhouse destination in Bath, combining heritage references with modern hospitality.
