A new Hampton By Hilton has opened in the centre of Bath. Designed by Dexter Moren Associates (DMA), the boutique hotel replaces the former Bath College Ralph Allen Building.
DMA was appointed by Dominvs Group to steer the scheme through the planning process. Having initially rejected plans for the site following opposition from other hoteliers in the city, Bath and North-East Somerset Council approved DMA's revised design, which respects the World Heritage Site and character of the Bath Conservation Area and also complements nearby contemporary developments.
The 202-room hotel includes restaurant, bar and leisure facilities at ground-floor level, open to guests as well as the public.
"When we embarked on the planning process, I was impressed by the time the planning officers spent explaining their vision for new buildings in the historic core of the city. They pointed us clearly in the direction of realising a contemporary rather than pastiche approach, using appropriate local materials. We were delighted to see our design granted planning approval, allowing the scheme to move forward successfully,” said Rebeca Aguilera, associate at DMA.