Staying in one of the many hotels in Oxford, England, will put you in the right place for exploring one of the country’s prettiest towns. It’s home to Oxford University, the oldest of its kind in the UK. Walk in the ancient halls of the college buildings and you’d think you were in Hogwarts. You wouldn’t be completely wrong, though, as some of the Harry Potter films were shot at Oxford University. The city also has a lot going for it besides academics. When you stay in one of the hotels in Oxford, UK, you’ll have a wealth of attractions to explore close by. From shopping at prestigious boutiques and indulging in high tea, to exploring museums and old castles, there’s adventure all around in the City of Dreaming Spires!
Where To Stay In Oxford, England
You’ll find a wide selection of accommodation in the city center. From budget-friendly hostels to luxurious lodging, this neighborhood has it all. It’s also home to many of the top things to do in Oxford. The grounds of the university alone holds many of the city’s major attractions. Here, you can climb the St. Mary the Virgin church’s tower for the highest city views and explore the gorgeous Botanic Garden and Arboretum.
If you’re looking for hotels in Oxford, UK, in a hip neighborhood, check out Jericho. This district lies about 10 minutes north of the city center. Here, you’ll find trendy cafes and independent shops that draw a cool crowd. What’s more, it boasts a vibrant nightlife brimming with bars and clubs.
Just as vibrant is the Cowley Road neighborhood. Located southeast of the city center, it’s a diverse melting pot bursting with great eats, colorful buildings, and eclectic shops. Or, for somewhere with a genteel air, check out Summertown. This affluent neighborhood sits north of the city center and boasts leafy parks and eye-catching architecture. It’s a popular area for families, so this is where you’ll find some of the top family-friendly hotels in Oxford, England.
Vanbrugh House Hotel
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The 4-star Vanbrugh House Hotel is a distinguished place to stay in the city center. It’s set in an 18th-century townhouse designed by John Vanbrugh, who was also the architect of Castle Howard in York. It’s positioned on St. Michael’s street, close to the medieval halls of St. Peter’s College at Oxford University.
The hotel offers 22 guestrooms, each boasting stylish decor, soothing colors, and modern furnishings. As a Grade II listed building, it has no elevators, but rest assured that the helpful staff will be glad to assist you with carrying your luggage. Each well-equipped room refers to a historical character or place related to Oxford’s history. In the Sir John Vanbrugh Suite, for instance, you’ll sleep in a four-poster bed and refresh yourself with spa-inspired toiletries and a rainfall shower. For sheer luxury, it deserves its spot among the top hotels in Oxford, England.
In the morning, you can start the day with breakfast in the bar and brasserie, which also serves lunch. Later, bask in the warmth of the enclosed garden terrace if the sun is out.
The Galaxie
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Occupying two adjoining Victorian buildings, The Galaxie is an elegant place to call your temporary home in Oxford. This lovely 4-star property offers 36 contemporary rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. You can keep yourself entertained via the free high-speed Wi-Fi and 40-channel Freeview TV. Visiting in winter? No worries; there’s central heating to keep the chill at bay.
Set yourself up for the day with a full English or continental breakfast in the morning. When the weather is nice, you can enjoy your meal in the small garden. It’s a great place to relax as well, with its koi pond, plants, and sculptures by local artist Pam Foley. In the evening, the garden transforms into a wonderland with a light show by artist Steve Ayres.
The Galaxie is one of the hotels in Oxford, UK, that are located in Summertown. Close by, there are many restaurants, shops, a traditional pub, and a chic wine bar. The city center is a half-hour away on foot. You can also take public transit to get to various parts of the city since the hotel is on several bus routes.
Central Backpackers
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If cheap hotels in Oxford, England, are what you’re after, check out Central Backpackers. This hostel offers extremely affordable accommodation in the form of dormitory rooms. Most of them are mixed rooms for four to 12 guests, though there’s one female-only dormitory that sleeps six. Each bed comes with a large locker, an electrical socket, and USB ports. The rooms are bright and spacious. However, there aren’t any bed curtains that you can draw for a bit of privacy. Towels are free, but keep in mind that 38 beds share 4 showers, so best to avoid the peak shower hours.
Breakfast is available for a small fee, but feel free to cook a meal in the small but well-equipped kitchen. Tea and coffee are complimentary, and there’s a vending machine offering snacks. The covered roof terrace is a popular place to hang out. Here, you can make new friends while having a barbecue or sitting on comfy chairs with a drink. Also, there’s a TV room that’s open 24/7 and which boasts an extensive DVD collection.
Central Backpackers is on Park End Street in the city center, a short walk from the bus and train stations. Likewise, Oxford Castle and the 18th-century Worcester College.
Jurys Inn Oxford
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Are you looking for hotels in Oxford, UK, that are excellent for both business and leisure? If so, consider a room at Jurys Inn Oxford. Having 20 dedicated rooms with free Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, it’s capable of hosting large and small business events. After your event, enjoy a delicious meal at the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse or unwind with a drink in the stylish bar. You can also head to the hotel’s health and leisure club. Here, indulge in luxurious spa treatments, work out in the gym, and soak in the pool.
Retiring in one of the 240 rooms in one of the best hotels in Oxford, England, is a pleasurable way to end the day. Perform your nightly rituals in a private bathroom using free toiletries and nod off to a show on cable television. If you’re traveling with the kids, book a family room. This is larger than most of the other rooms and offers two double beds. And if you really like things on a larger scale, check out the executive king room. Besides having a big floor area, it also boasts an extra-large double bed.
This 4-star hotel is on Godstow Road, off the A40. From the hotel, it’s a 30-minute walk to the University of Oxford. But if you’d rather ride to the city center, you can take the bus. The bus stop is across the road from the hotel.
voco Oxford Spires
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Does staying somewhere close to the water and surrounded by nature sound appealing? Then you’re apt to enjoy spending time at voco Oxford Spires. It’s one of the luxury hotels in Oxford, England, that’s not only beside the River Thames, but it also sits in the midst of a vast parkland. It might seem secluded, but the city center is a mere 15-minute walk away. Also, bus service to the city is close by.
The rooms are a mix of style and comfort. Some have twin or king beds, but all offer flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. For extra space, consider booking one of the suites. Besides a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom, they also feature a separate lounge area.
At this 4-star hotel’s Willows Health Club and Spa, you can keep fit and indulge in wellness treatments. Swim a few laps in the heated indoor pool or have a vigorous workout in the gym. Afterward, you can relax in the sauna or steam room. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the all-day Deacons Restaurant or Deacons Bar and Terrace for a hearty meal and refreshing drinks.
Malmaison Oxford
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What was once a Victorian prison in a medieval castle is today the Malmaison Oxford. Without a doubt, it’s among the most atmospheric boutique hotels in Oxford, UK. Each of its 95 guest rooms bears little resemblance to the original prison cell design. On the contrary, they’re every bit luxurious with ultra comfy beds, high-speed Wi-Fi, and drench showers. And if you’d like to live it up, book one of the awesome suites. They occupy two levels, and some have an outdoor balcony plus a roll-top tub.
The 4-star Malmaison Oxford boasts a contemporary restaurant, the Chez Mal Brasserie. Here, you can savor classic dishes made with the freshest ingredients. Meanwhile, the bar is as hip as can be with its neon lighting and dizzying array of refreshing beverages. And if it’s business that brings you to town, you can take advantage of the hotel’s well-equipped meeting rooms.
Set within the grounds of the Norman medieval Oxford Castle, the hotel also sits next to Nuffield College. From the hotel, the Ashmolean Museum is an 8-minute walk.
Cotswold Lodge Classic Hotel
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The 4-star Cotswold Lodge Classic Hotel is a stellar example of the many Victorian hotels in Oxford, England. Set in an imposing Victorian mansion, it’s a wonderful, tangible reminder of the days of yore. The feature rooms, named after Oxford colleges, boast original Victorian details. What’s more, they offer luxurious furnishings including half tester beds, plush upholstery, and Italian marble in the bathrooms. You can also choose from several other types of rooms, such as king, single, twin, and more. Whichever type of accommodation you choose, you can be sure to enjoy modern comforts like satellite TV and high-speed Wi-Fi.
The excellent dining options are among the hotel’s prized assets. Enjoy classic British and continental fare at Restaurant 66A and afternoon tea in the drawing room. Meanwhile, the bar is a great place for morning coffee and aperitifs in the evening. And with free parking, meeting rooms, and related facilities, the Cotswold Lodge is also a popular business hotel.
The hotel is in the garden suburb of North Oxford, a 10-minute walk from the city center. And if you’re a discerning shopper, make time to visit Bicester Village. Located a 20-minute drive to the north, it’s brimming with prestigious boutiques.
Old Parsonage Hotel
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At the 5-star Old Parsonage Hotel, you can expect old-world charm combined with all the comforts of modern technology. Occupying a building from 1660, it’s one of the most distinguished hotels in Oxford, UK. Choose from its 35 rooms and suites, each with its own individual design, and experience a stellar stay. Here, you’ll sleep on a luxurious handmade bed, shower in a marble bathroom, and enjoy unique charcoal drawings of the city’s major buildings. And if you book a suite, you can relax and eat in style in the separate living and dining areas.
The warm and cozy Parsonage Bar & Grill offers classic British dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s also a wonderful place to enjoy afternoon tea: think home-made scones, clotted cream and jam, and delicious cakes in front of a log fire. And for bookworms, the hotel library holds a curated collection of books covering art, literature, history, and more.
Old Parsonage Hotel sits at the head of Banbury Road, a 5-minute walk from the city center. It’s right next to the University of Oxford Campus. Meanwhile, attractions like the Bridge of Sighs and the Bodleian Library are also within walking distance.
The Porterhouse Grill & Rooms
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Some of the most popular hotels in Oxford, England, have not only top-notch accommodation, but also superb food, too. And The Porterhouse Grill & Rooms is no exception. Occupying a charming Edwardian building, this luxury boutique hotel boasts seven beautiful bedrooms. Each contains the comforts required for a memorable stay. Pamper yourself in the double shower in your smart bathroom and catch up on what’s happening with the world courtesy of broadband Internet and Freeview TV. And with blackout curtains and blinds plus a Somnus king-size bed, you’re apt to get a good night’s sleep.
But it’s the steak house that’s the property’s main pride and joy. Here, you can indulge in succulent steaks made from beef sourced from Smithfield Market, dry-aged in house, and grilled over charcoal. Of course, there’s an excellent wine list to choose from, too. The restaurant opens at 8:00 AM, so feel free to have steak for breakfast! For that alone, this property deserves its status as one of the outstanding hotels in Oxford, UK.
This property is in the heart of Oxford, a stone’s throw from many must-sees. Oxford Castle, for instance, is a short walk away. Likewise, Oxford University’s main colleges and the Ashmolean Museum are easily reachable on foot.
The Randolph Hotel
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Housed in a grand Victorian building, The Randolph Hotel holds its own amid the neighboring college buildings of Oxford University. Elegant inside and out, its old-world charm and sophistication makes it one of the landmark hotels in Oxford, UK. Unsurprisingly, it has hosted large numbers of distinguished guests, including presidents and prime ministers.
This 5-star hotel’s dining options are the toast of the town. At the Acanthus Restaurant, you can treat yourself to world-class cuisine. Meanwhile, the Morse Bar is famous for being a frequent haunt of Colin Dexter’s detective, Inspector Morse. The Cartoon Bar is another great place to unwind with a cocktail, a glass of wine, or a beer. And when it comes to hosting afternoon tea, the Drawing Room and Lounge has it down pat. For rejuvenation, there’s no better place than the hotel spa. Here, you can indulge in a variety of treatments and experiences designed to pamper and soothe.
Speaking of pampering, you’ll get no less in any of the hotel’s 151 rooms and suites. Each one boasts an individual theme and offers indulgent comforts. For an exemplary experience, check out the Super Deluxe Suites. Besides the stunning city views, they also offer TVs in the walk-in showers as well as adjoining lounges.
The Old Bank
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Occupying a stately Georgian building, The Old Bank is one of the highly esteemed hotels in Oxford, England. But even if it’s in a historic building, it’s firmly in the 21st century. Inside, you’ll find contemporary art as well as luxury guestrooms with modern comforts like Nespresso machines, flat-screen TVs, and climate control. But for the ultimate in decadence, check out the luxury rooftop bedroom. It comes with a private terrace that overlooks High Street and the famous spire of St. Mary’s Church.
The building’s former banking hall is now the Quod Restaurant, whose onyx bar and Italian terrace grab the eye. What’s more, it showcases modern art by young British artists. And whether you’re dropping in for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, or dinner, you can expect delicious food. Plus, there’s an excellent wine list should you feel like having a glass of red, white, or bubbly with your meal.
The Old Bank sits in the heart of the city, with myriad attractions mere steps away. You can go for a stroll beside the River Cherwell or in the Botanic Garden, which are a short walk from the hotel. Likewise, the Ashmolean Museum is accessible on foot.
Recommended Restaurants / Bars In Oxford, England:
- Cuttlefish – Enjoy fresh seafood in nautical surroundings! Choose from hot and cold shellfish platters, lemon sardines with parsley butter, and more!
- The Eagle And Child – Dating from the 17th century, this pub was a favorite of writers including C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Try their pies and desserts! The pub is a short walk from Oxford University and some of the top hotels in Oxford, UK.
Recommended Activities in Oxford, England:
- Oxford University Walking Tour With University Alumni Guide – Embark on a 2-hour tour of the UK’s oldest university! Led by a student guide, you’ll gain insights into academic life and learn about the history of centuries-old colleges.
- Inspector Morse Filming Locations Walking Tour In Oxford – See some of the buildings and pubs where the iconic British detective drama TV series was filmed. It’s a small group tour, so look forward to an intimate experience!
