The County Hotel on Pulteney Road has re-branded as The Bird, Bath to fit in with its distinctive new personality as part of the growing Kaleidoscope Collection.
Owned by seasoned hoteliers, Ian and Christa Taylor, who bought the property back in March this year, The Bird is a name that better reflects the vibrant transformation of the hotel, which in the initial phases has seen refreshed public spaces, additional bedrooms, a new bar, relaxed restaurant and meeting spaces, as well as a much-loved pop-up beach bar.
With its bright Balinese parasols and views out over the Rec and Bath Abbey, visitors can enjoy the tropical vibes of the beach, feel the sand between their toes and enjoy al fresco drinks and cocktails, or a bite to eat from the barbecue on the weekend, until the end of September.
Joining The Bird as general manager, is a well-known face in Bath’s business community, Tim O’Sullivan, who played an instrumental role in the opening of Apex City of Bath, before leaving earlier this year.
“I know Ian from his days working with InterContinental Hotels and have watched with interest how he and Christa have grown their business,” said Tim.
“Having worked with large hotel groups previously, I’m delighted to make the move into the boutique hotel sector and really make my mark on The Bird.
“The Kaleidoscope Collection really stands out as doing things differently in Bath and this is the ideal opportunity to be working with a great team of entrepreneurially-minded people.”
“We’re delighted to have Tim on board to head up the team at The Bird,” added Ian Taylor.
“He has a genuine, hands-on approach and brings a wealth of experience to the hotel – we’re very much looking forward to the next chapter.”
Visitors and locals alike won’t have to wait long for the next seasonal pop-up, a visually exciting Winter Wonderland for the festive season, and arguably the coolest party space in town.
Set in a venue full of surprises, woodland branches and spruces will be strewn with fairy lights, tables topped with flickering candelabra and chairs draped in Bavarian rugs to keep you cosy.
The scents of spiced mulled drinks, exotic Turkish delight and warm mince pies emanating from the Wardrobe and Keller bars will immediately put you in a festive frame of mind and there’ll be craft ales, fine wines, delicious bowl food and creative seasonal cocktails to keep up the Christmas spirit.
Visitors can choose to join a party night with a DJ or simply drop in to experience the magical vibe.
At the heart of The Bird, the Taylors have also created a wonderfully eclectic neighbourhood bar with relaxed food offering, designed as social hub for work or play.
A space for freelancers to work, friends to meet for coffee or a relaxed dinner, there’s a bar for seasonal drinks and various seating areas centred around vast contemporary pieces of art.
A separate meeting room also provides a creative space for workshops and get-togethers, private parties, celebrations and more.
“Creating something new and exciting for Bath is something we love to do, and we’re really pleased with the transformation of The Bird so far,” Ian Taylor added.
“The new signage will be up in the next week or so and we have plans in the pipeline for some interesting dressing to the front of the hotel to coincide with our Winter Wonderland for the festive season.
“We don’t want to give too much away, but we hope people will come and experience it for themselves.”
