Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

jjefferies · 07-11-2006, 03:44 PM

Hi All,
Decent results in Atlanta means that I'm going to the Veteran World Championships in Bath. Our esteemed leader, Paul Levy, makes it sound like there are no more rooms at the Inn. Apparently other nations are quicker about picking their teams and so have taken most of the housing for that weekend, Aug 31-Sept 3. Thus the only housing that he's aware of is teensy, tiny, single cot cubbies in a university dormitory at USD $100/night. I understand that the British pound is rather expensive right now but even so I was hoping that someone on the list might know of something, B&B or other arrangement in Bath England or the area that might be semi-reasonable. Any reasonable suggestion is welcome. You can private message me or post to the board. I'm sure there are others who are interested as well.

Other posts have filled in a lot of details about Atlanta. But that long trek from the front door to the venue will be remembered up there along with the mile long hike inside the venue in Columbus Ohio a couple of years ago. I wonder how many folks got a chance to look over the city. Sunday evening after dinner with some team mates, Lou Mariani of CenCal led us on a hike/tour of down town Atlanta. It has been a while since I was in Atlanta and this was my first opportunity to spend time downtown. The city's architecture reminded me very much of Batman's Gotham City. Very impressive skyline and perhaps a bit larger than life. Lou, who is in the hotel/restaurant business had no qualms about marching into the best hotels and taking a look around, very impressive. Then a walk down/up Peachtree to the Atlanta underground where a black preacher was delivering passionate sermon after sermon to the teeming throngs of sinners. There may be other places in the world where you can see such a jump in social distance.

sabreur · 07-11-2006, 04:07 PM

If you do a websearch on "Hotels in Bath, England," you'll find better options by far--a cursory search found a nice little place, where a double room would cost 140 pounds, or about USD 210? Maybe a bit more. Bath is a big place, and I hardly think the Vet WCs would make a dent in its hotel market.

You might try to PM Gav--he knows a bunch of people in Britain, and might be able to help you as well.

MR

Zilverzmurfen · 07-11-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabreur

You might try to PM Gav--he knows a bunch of people in Britain, and might be able to help you as well.

Additionally ask around at www.fencingforum.com. I'm sure someone there can help pointing you in the right direction.

Best of luck, both for lodging and the competition.

Peach · 07-11-2006, 04:13 PM

I'll echo Mark and say that there should be a good many hotel or B&B rooms. If you go to the website for the championships there are links to accommodations (http://www.veterans-fencing.co.uk/wc...ng/index.shtml) and I believe my own reservations were made through Expedia, though since I knew I was going I made them a while ago. It's quite an attractive town for tourists and there are many B&B's and hotels. Paul was suggesting B&B's to one group when I was walking by. He suggested staying nearer to the center of town as the shuttle to the venue will be leaving from the bus station.

smurfette · 07-11-2006, 04:58 PM

If you go to the website www.expatriates.com, you may be able to find a house or apartment to rent with some others.

Goofy · 07-11-2006, 05:05 PM

You could give this site a look...

http://www.bigha.co.uk/index.php

And congratulations on your accomplishment!

Five Rings · 07-11-2006, 05:28 PM

Bath isn't that large, so if you are willing to take a train you could even stay a little way out of town and take a train in.

ChubbyHubby · 07-12-2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjefferies

Hi All,
Decent results in Atlanta means that I'm going to the Veteran World Championships in Bath. Our esteemed leader, Paul Levy, makes it sound like there are no more rooms at the Inn. Apparently other nations are quicker about picking their teams and so have taken most of the housing for that weekend, Aug 31-Sept 3. Thus the only housing that he's aware of is teensy, tiny, single cot cubbies in a university dormitory at USD $100/night. I understand that the British pound is rather expensive right now but even so I was hoping that someone on the list might know of something, B&B or other arrangement in Bath England or the area that might be semi-reasonable. Any reasonable suggestion is welcome. You can private message me or post to the board. I'm sure there are others who are interested as well.

The Bath Uni rooms are not actually that bad, not Marriot standard but not too bad ensuite facilities (not a given at British B&Bs). And also Bath Uni is at a top of a very steep hill just outside town so being up there is not so bad.

If you are planning to rent a car Bristol is not very far away.

Bath is a tourist town so it's not cheap anywhere really. The Uni accomodation is a bargain in comparison.

fencerbill · 07-12-2006, 06:00 PM

PM me with your address and I will send you the Bath information that was given to me before I knew I wouldn't be going.

If any others could make use of it, send me your address in case Jonathan doesn't need it. It will be sent in order of time stamp after Jonathan.

Boo Boo · 07-12-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjefferies

Thus the only housing that he's aware of is teensy, tiny, single cot cubbies in a university dormitory at USD $100/night. I understand that the British pound is rather expensive right now but even so I was hoping that someone on the list might know of something, B&B or other arrangement in Bath England or the area that might be semi-reasonable. Any reasonable suggestion is welcome. You can private message me or post to the board. I'm sure there are others who are interested as well.

Agree with what Chubby says - Bath is very much a tourist town and prices reflect this. Could be worse - London is stupidly expensive and the quality can be awful...

The University accomodation REALLY isn't bad - ok, it is a little compact, but it is modern and clean. Have a look at http://www.bath.ac.uk/salesandevents...h-brochure.pdf and http://www.bath.ac.uk/salesandevents/accommodation/ The cost of a budget en-suite room is about £25 per night (that is about $40 I think). A standard en-suite is £37.60 per night (about $60 I think). Double is about £56.40 - so about $100. IF you were booking in a group, you could look at renting a whole university house for a week - http://www.bath.ac.uk/salesandevents...ion/family.htm

The travelodge in Bath is supposed to be nice - https://www.travelodge.co.uk/find_a_...hp?hotel_id=75. It is VERY well located in the centre of Bath, but is £75 a night for a double room...

I think that you will struggle to find anywhere half reasonable for under £50/$100 a night (double room) in Bath (or the proximity).

I wouldn't advice being too far out of Bath - I now that great efforts are being made to have a great programme of events and entertainment for the participants (in addition to the fencing).

Boo
(Bath resident)

jjefferies · 07-12-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo Boo

Agree with what Chubby says - Bath is very much a tourist town and prices reflect this. Could be worse - London is stupidly expensive and the quality can be awful...
: deleted material

Yes, we've stayed there from time to time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo Boo

I think that you will struggle to find anywhere half reasonable for under £50/$100 a night (double room) in Bath (or the proximity).

Boo
(Bath resident)

Ah, well a double is one thing. We were being advised the rooms are singles, i.e. only one person allowed, and my wife's wanting to come.

Very interesting that the Travelodge website likewise assumes that it will be one person/room and no other arrangements are allowed.

Another question, but is that a canal that loops around the campus? Are there any restrictions on tie ups? As long as we've come the distance we think it would be fun to "do" another canal trip. And then the thought of why not just tie up at the uni for the four days of the tournament.

Your comments and help are definitely appreciated.

Supermom · 07-14-2006, 12:29 AM

Ah, Bath is a a very interesting place. Too many years since I was last there. Blow the bank if you can and stay on the Crescent (The Royal Crescent Hotel, e.g.) for a taste of the original (now antique) Bath experience. The Francis Hotel a short distance away is also nice, but probably not exactly cheap, although less expensive than the Royal Crescent. Try the itsy-bitsy original Sally Lunn tea shop and have a cream tea (that would be a big Sally Lunn bun with Devonshire clotted cream, full speed ahead and damn the cholesterol...). Do that BEFORE you taste the Bath water at the Pump House (yucky). I envy you your trip there - have a good time!

JEC · 07-14-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supermom

...stay on the Crescent (The Royal Crescent Hotel, e.g.) for a taste of the original (now antique) Bath experience.

I agree. We stayed at the Royal Crescent years ago.

Boo Boo · 07-14-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEC

I agree. We stayed at the Royal Crescent years ago.

Can highly recommend the Bath Spa Hotel too (http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/bathspa/): had our wedding reception there a few years ago and they have recently finished a major rebuild of the spa and leisure facilities (had a tour a few weeks ago and it was fab...). Still, at £120/£150 a night (room only), it is quite pricey (although probably a little cheaper that the Royal Crescent Hotel).

Boo

Peach · 07-14-2006, 11:14 AM

Any idea if the Hilton Bath City is tolerable? I'm taking my husband with me and he has a decided attachment to the idea of chain hotels, so I made reservations there a while ago as part of persuading him to come.

Boo Boo · 07-14-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peach

Any idea if the Hilton Bath City is tolerable? I'm taking my husband with me and he has a decided attachment to the idea of chain hotels, so I made reservations there a while ago as part of persuading him to come.

It is ok. It has a REALLY good location (RIGHT in the centre of town - we used to live 50 yards away from the Hilton, just on the opposite river bank

), but I believe that the rooms are so-so and rather small. If you do stay there, you want a room overlooking the river - a lot quieter... There is a small gym with a tiny indoor pool. There is a bar and restaurant on-site, but you are SURROUNDED by MANY bars and restaurants within a 1/2 miles radius. You are basically paying for location.

May I ask what sort of rate you are paying for the Hilton (you could PM me)?

Boo

Peach · 07-14-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo Boo

It is ok. It has a REALLY good location (RIGHT in the centre of town - we used to live 50 yards away from the Hilton, just on the opposite river bank

), but I believe that the rooms are so-so and rather small. If you do stay there, you want a room overlooking the river - a lot quieter... There is a small gym with a tiny indoor pool. There is a bar and restaurant on-site, but you are SURROUNDED by MANY bars and restaurants within a 1/2 miles radius. You are basically paying for location.

May I ask what sort of rate you are paying for the Hilton (you could PM me)?

Boo

Good location? Oh, thanks! I thought it looked like it when I was searching for a hotel, but I wasn't sure. That matters to me. My husband can deal with small rooms

especially if there are good restaurants within walking distance--he gets terribly bored in the kind of place where we schedule most of our national tournament. It's so cool that you know the town!

The rate is moot since I did an advance-pay through Expedia. If it's already paid for, I consider it free

Boo Boo · 07-14-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peach

Good location? Oh, thanks! I thought it looked like it when I was searching for a hotel, but I wasn't sure. That matters to me. My husband can deal with small rooms

especially if there are good restaurants within walking distance--he gets terribly bored in the kind of place where we schedule most of our national tournament. It's so cool that you know the town!

The rate is moot since I did an advance-pay through Expedia. If it's already paid for, I consider it free

Ah, ok. No, location is really great: you RIGHT in the centre of town. So DEFINITELY request a room facing the river - will be a lot quieter.

The hotel is right next to a supermarket (called Waitrose) - quite small (certainly by US standards!), but great for stocking up on water, sports drinks, fresh fruit, sandwiches, snacks etc...

Hope that your husband will be "blown away" by Bath: it is a small city, but very beautiful (in the most part) and very compact - a lot to do within VERY EASY walking distance of your hotel. if he enjoys history, architecture and sight-seeing, he will have a great time...

From what I hear, the organisers of the competition have a lot of entertainment and events to keep you busy and happy. But, if I can help with making any suggestions (restaurants/sites)... let me know

Boo

KD5MDK · 07-14-2006, 12:35 PM

All I know about Bath I learned from Bath Tangle, so please don't look to me for advice.

Peach · 07-14-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo Boo

Hope that your husband will be "blown away" by Bath: it is a small city, but very beautiful (in the most part) and very compact - a lot to do within VERY EASY walking distance of your hotel. if he enjoys history, architecture and sight-seeing, he will have a great time...

Oh, golly. He's going to love this so much! He loves history, architecture, sightseeing, and England--a couple of years ago, for his birthday, I paid for a solo trip for him.