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 Oxford Hotels
The city of dreaming spires has never been noted for its hotels, though of late the situation has improved and there's an interesting, if small, cross section of places from which to choose, from the landmark Randolph Hotel, where many an undergraduate has taken tea with his parents (now part of the Macdonald group), to the former Oxford prison, recently converted into an atmospheric Malmaison hotel, though one with too many negatives for us to include in our selection. Plus a bustling city centre hotel, the Old Bank, and a characterful medieval house hotel, The Old Parsonage. And an excellent guesthouse, Orchard House. Oh, and the Crazy Bear on the outskirts of town, truly funky. Take your pick. The hotels are listed by price category and the order bears no reflection on our preference.
 Reviews by Fiona Duncan |
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| Luxury: Character and comfort in Oxford's landmark hotel |
| Location: Oxford; city centre |
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| Oxford's most famous hotel, an institution for generations of visitors to the city of dreaming spires. Though now part of a hotel group, it has retained its wonderfully old-fashioned appeal, all polished mahogany and gleaming brass, with excellent food served in the magnificent dining room, and bedrooms furnished with traditional comfort in mind. |
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| Mid Price: Eclectic, eccentric – a one off just outside Oxford |
| Location: In village of Stadmampton, 5 miles SE of Oxford |
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| Reception – a double-decker bus – is the first clue that this old coaching inn is different. In the garden: palm trees and pastiche statues; the glamorous bar: champagne on tap and a stuffed brown bear dangling from the beams; the restaurant: padded pink walls and leopard print carpet. Get the picture? The wonderfully wacky bedrooms are just as fun. A one off. |
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| Mid Price: City centre hotel in a characterful old house |
| Location: Oxford. At NE end of St Giles |
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| Our favourite Oxford hotel (though we can also recommend its sister, Old Bank), this ancient, characterful, wistaria-clad house has recently had a total facelift, including superb new beds. Its panache remains: a venerable door leads into the welcoming bar/brasserie (good food) with log fire; there's a pretty roof terrace; punt and bikes are available. |
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| Mid Price: Sophisticated hotel with buzzing brasserie |
| Location: In city centre |
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| Housed in a former bank with a fine Georgian façade and an Elizabethan core, the Old Bank is now a cool, sophisticated hotel with a buzzing brasserie. The best bedrooms are graced with floor-length windows or in the Tudor part, beams and deep window seats under lattice windows. All the rooms - and the bathrooms - are impeccably decorated in an understated chic-rustic style. The Quod Brasserie and Bar stretches across the former banking hall and is always packed. |
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| Inexpensive: Stand-out B&B on the edge of Oxford |
| Location: Oxford; Iffley Road, ten minutes walk from centre |
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| This delightful 1903 Arts and Crafts house was built for an artist and incorporates a vaulted studio (where breakfast is taken) and a sitting room with oak and leaded-light screens and doors. Owner Paul Ridley is a charming, thoughtful host who makes his own bread and jams, with fruit and vegetables from the lovely garden. With just three bedrooms, Orchard House makes a special retreat: stylish, calm and modestly priced. |
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