Hordes of tourists flock to Bath’s most elegant city-centre hotel for afternoon tea, thinking they’ve discovered the wallet-friendly way to taste the whole, super-glam experience. But in many ways, dinner at the Dower House restaurant — while certainly not a budget bonanza at £60 for three courses — is actually where it’s really at, based on the fact that the opportunity to dine like a superstar comes as standard (as do all manner of unbidden ‘freebies’ that skitter around the edges of your chosen selection). So grab the credit card, don your best bib and tucker and prepare to be seduced, if not by the décor (sumptuous but perhaps trying a bit too hard to be A-list) then definitely by the food (local produce, globally-inspired, with a cutting-edge twist). On warm nights, an aperitif in the private garden (all rose bushes, twinkly lights and scented candles) is a must, whether you’re dining or not.  But if even the loos alone are enough to make you want to blow the bank completely and consider booking a room, don’t do it — unless you’re Johnny Depp (he gets a suite), they’re surprisingly humdrum compared to the public areas.

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A-Z of Bath Restaurants • Alfresco hotspots • Bath Institutions • Gourmet restaurants • Romantic restaurants