If you want a place to stay in Bath that''s charming and has a great view, but won''t bankrupt you, then try the Bath YHA hostel.
It''s a converted Italinate mansion, circa 1850, with a turret and a balcony. Perched atop Bathwick Hill and surrounded by gardens (which are totally overgrown, but cool, in a gothic novel sort of way), it''s a memorable place to stay.
The hostel is a little more than a mile from the train station, but take the bus (the Badgerline 18). You can get books of 10 bus tickets for about nine pounds. They''ll be the best nine pounds you ever spent once you see Bathwick Hill and realize that the bus saves you from lugging your stuff up it.
I stayed in a nice, clean quad overlooking the gardens. If you''re lucky, you can snag one of the quads in the towers, insuring a great view of the town below. There are lockers for your gear in the bedrooms; bring your own padlock.
Showers are hot, powerful, and found in large, clean bathrooms down the hall. Breakfast is not included in the nightly rate, but a decent one can be had pretty cheaply in the cafateria.
As an added convienience, the hostel has coin-operated laundry machines, and you can buy tickets for various tours and attractions (some at a discount) at the reception desk.