There’s a buzz around Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel
Nestled in the heart of the city of Bath, Bath Spa Hotel offers an elegant escape with luxurious five-star accommodation and world-class spa facilities.
Situated within seven acres of beautifully landscaped gardens is a grand Georgian house where guests can relax and unwind while taking in the history of this ancient town.
Yet, there’s one charming feature that truly sets this hotel apart from the rest — its resident bees. Hidden amidst the lush greenery of the hotel’s grounds, Bath Spa Hotel is home to beehives, where bees produce fresh, golden honey for guests.
The concept was put into action by general manager Raj Chakraborty, and the hotel has become a sanctuary for local bees, producing jars of honey for guests.
Fully embracing the ‘locally sourced’ message, all produce from the beehives is used within the hotel. Beeswax is used in sumptuous spa treatments, while the honeycomb is incorporated into the hotel’s breakfast offering, and the honey for afternoon tea.
Any children staying at the hotel also have a chance to name a bee and are given a certificate of authentication that says they have a bee in the hive.
The initiative is part of the Macdonald Hotel Groups’ extensive sustainability efforts, with bees not only supporting the local ecosystem and providing organic honey, but also playing a vital role in supporting Bath’s local biodiversity.
Honeybees are essential pollinators, responsible for pollinating around 70 of the 100 crop species that feed 90% of the world’s population. By creating a bee-friendly environment within the gardens, the hotel contributes to the preservation of local flora and the protection of an increasingly endangered species.