I tried to check the archives for this, but the most recent post I found was about four years old.

We will have an overnight stopover in Bath in August - driving from Chipping Campden to Southampton. Probably will arrive midday and then leave late morning the following day.

Looking for a hotel that has parking and will allow us easy access to the sights. We can drive to some, but it seems like it would be nice to be close in. As far as budget goes, something under $250USD for the night would be good.

Has anyone stayed at a great hotel in Bath? Suggestions for must-see places in our short time there?

We're staying at the Crystal Palace Apartments next week. If I remember, I'll report on our experience.

The three places I usually recommend don't have parking so I'll have to check some others.

But an option you could possibly consider: You could drop the car in Bath and take the train to Southampton -- only about a 90 minute journey with no changes.

We were considering that Janis - but we have enough luggage that I think it would be easier to just drop the car in Southampton.

At the final stage of this five-week trip, we are taking the QM2 to New York. This will be a first for us - and from what I'm reading, I will need to bring some fancy clothing, which will impact the luggage situation.

We once used this hotel and walked to most attractions. Note that the hotel does not own the lot underneath it, but offers a special rate. It was fairly convenient.

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/uni...ome,SingleLink

Then maybe don't stay in central Bath -- stay in a B&B in a nearby town/village that will have parking. Then you can use the park & Ride lot to visit Bath in the afternoon/evening.

That would have you outside of the nasty central Bath traffic the next day for the drive to Southampton)

(Nah Nah Nah! I manage carry on only even on a cruise w/ multiple formal nights O - using a long skirt or Palazzo pants plus killer tops)

Actually, that sounds like a good idea - I hadn't really considered the traffic, and my husband will be happy to avoid it.

hah - off-topic, but I am thinking of going the palazzo pants/skirt/glitzy tops route, too. We're doing the QM2 because I want to travel on a real ocean liner, and also because it's quite inexpensive compared to business class flights. I am done flying 10 or more hours in economy. The info for this particular cruise line (Cunard) is daunting - even the "informal" nights are what I would usually consider formal. Hopefully I can pull off the palazzo pants or skirt idea.

We stayed at the Kennard in Bath and liked it very much. Our room was very comfortable and the owners were lovely. The location made it easy to walk to the sights and they offer parking permits: http://www.kennard.co.uk/policies/access-statement.html