Oxford hotels

The Randolph is ideally located opposite the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford University and it’s only a ten-minute walk from the train station. With its imposing Gothic architecture, this hotel has always been one of the best in Oxford. It recently joined the Graduate Hotels Group and was given a refresh and a redesign. One of the major draws of this hotel is its gorgeous Alice restaurant, an all-day brasserie, with interiors inspired by the Lewis Carrol classic, offering seasonal dining with a contemporary twist. I also enjoy the weekly jazz nights here. The pastel-striped drawing room is a one-of-a-kind destination for afternoon tea and The Morse bar was a favourite haunt of local author Colin Dexter, who wrote the Inspector Morse novels.

One of the best hotels in Oxford is located in a former castle and prison that was built around 1070. Operating as a prison until 1996, Malmaison Oxford has been a boutique hotel since 2006, and if you choose a standard or club cell room in the A block, you’ll actually be staying in a former prison cell (three cells have been combined for each room). Of course, there’s nothing spartan about this luxury accommodation, which offers split level suites with balconies overlooking the historic castle mounds. The on-site Bar & Grill restaurant has a focus on prime grass-fed British beef, grilled over coals on a traditional Japanese barbecue. Meanwhile, mixologists infuse creative ingredients to create bold cocktails in the cosy bar. The ongoing “prison break” package is great value, offering a two-course dinner, breakfast and a tour of the preserved prison and castle.

When passing the stone wall through the pretty terrace into the 17th-century former parsonage, you’ll feel as if you’ve entered a charming country cottage. Stone fireplaces, dark wood and rich colours in the reception and bar give way to a brighter, lighter palette in the guestrooms. One of the best hotels in Oxford, this 5-star property is crammed with fascinating historic photographs, maps and a bust of Winston Churchill, who lived at nearby Blenheim Palace. History buffs will love the family photographs and memorabilia in the Churchill Suites, dedicated to Winston and his son Randolph. The Parsonage Grill, decorated with portraits of famous authors and artists, offers a modern British menu with delicious options like lamb chops or chicken pie. I like that breakfast is à la carte, with choices like salmon and eggs and homemade granola, rather than the all-too-often lukewarm items found on breakfast buffets.

One of the best hotels in Oxford is just outside the city, in the country village of Great Milton. This luxury manor house is one of the world’s first garden-to-table hotels. The two Michelin-starred restaurant, with a menu sourced from the hotel’s extensive organic vegetable and herb gardens, has been led by pioneering chef Raymond Blanc since it opened in 1984. A memorable overnight gastronomic stay can be enhanced with a lesson in The Raymond Blanc Cookery School, which offers dozens of classes at various levels. The 32 individually designed rooms are inspired by the chef’s travels, and an all-white suite is a nod to an apartment in the Palace of Versailles in France. The hotel is set in idyllic grounds, filled with flowers, green lawns and fruit trees, and the garden suites are especially lovely, each with their own private gardens.

Independently owned, the Old Bank Hotel is located in an 18th-century former bank that overlooks the famous Radcliffe Camera, part of Oxford University’s Bodleian Library. You can’t actually enter this circular Baroque-style building unless you’re a university student, but the exterior is a must see for any walking tour of the city that should also include Magdalen College and the Bridge of Sighs. The hotel’s 43 luxury guestrooms include “The Room With The View”, the spacious signature suite, which offers views from its private terrace across the city’s gleaming spires. There’s also a telescope, a dining table and sun loungers. The restaurant Quod, with its gorgeous onyx bar and stylish Italian terrace, forms the hub of the Old Bank Hotel. Formerly a banking hall, it’s now one of Oxford’s largest restaurants, serving an all-day menu with a fine range of burgers, steaks and salads.

With its wonderful riverside location beside Christchurch Meadow, The Head of the River is one of the best hotels in Oxford. A former boathouse warehouse, it’s now a 4-star boutique property with 20 rooms named after Oxford University’s eminent alumni, like the 17th-century astronomer Edmond Halley (room 18). Dog-friendly rooms and family rooms with sofa beds are available, giving the place a laid-back vibe. The historic Folly Bridge, great for taking scenic photos, is right next door and Oxford’s colleges, museums, shops and theatres are about 10 minutes away on foot. There’s an excellent pub with real ales on tap, which contributes to its status as one of Oxford’s best hotels, serving food and drink all day inside and on a huge terrace. Typical British pub fare includes fish and chips, pie and mash, and – my favourite – baked sea trout.

Located in the North Oxford neighbourhood of Summertown, The Galaxie is one of the best hotels in Oxford for a quieter stay. The family-run, 4-star lodging in an attractive red brick Victorian building has a boutique hotel feel, featuring a lovely garden with a Koi pond and sculptures by a local artist. If you’re staying longer than a night and are looking for a self-catering option, some rooms have small kitchens and desks. Considering how tricky it is to park in the city centre, on-site parking is a bonus. For dining options, the breakfast buffet is extensive, served in a bright, airy conservatory, and for dinner there are plenty of great restaurants in Summertown. Nearby Pompette is an excellent bistro run by a classically trained French chef serving up tasty dishes like steak frites, rabbit and trout.

Just outside the city centre, Voco Oxford Spires is about a 20-minute walk to town or a short bus ride. There’s also highly coveted on-site parking here, although it is an extra charge. The rooms are modern with comfortable beds and good showers. Ask for a deluxe river-facing room for extra space and lovely views of the Thames. In contrast to most city centre hotels, there’s a large swimming pool, high-tech gym and a recently renovated spa with treatment rooms offering facials, massages, manicures and pedicures. There’s also a generous breakfast buffet and the menu at Deacons restaurant features locally inspired dishes and seasonal produce, such as king scallops with black pudding, plus a good selection of vegan and vegetarian choices. Or head into town to Spanish restaurant Arbequina for excellent tapas (the tortilla and salt cod croquetas are fantastic).

This 4-star, adults-only property is one of the best hotels in Oxford for couples. Charmingly intimate, The Porterhouse grill & rooms has only seven rooms and is set on a quiet residential street close to the train station and river, with all the main attractions around a 15-minute walk away. The attractive Edwardian building features chic decor with navy blue walls and wooden floors, while the spacious guestrooms have large windows, velvet soft furnishings and excellent power showers. Food is gastro pub fare, with a focus on classic cuts of beef, dry-aged in house for up to 42 days and cooked in a charcoal oven for superior flavour. You can even have steak at breakfast, as the 'Porterhouse Grill' includes steak, sausages, bacon, black pudding and eggs. A nice touch is the complimentary fruit and cold milk in the fridge outside the guestrooms.

This is one of the best hotels in Oxford, set away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre in rural-feeling Iffley. A bus outside the door or a lovely 25-minute walk on the Thames Path will take you into town. The guestrooms in this 77-bedroom property are stylish, decked out in a cool colour palette with fun retro details like rotary corded telephones. The fancier rooms have bathrobes, Nespresso coffee machines and free soft drinks. Polar explorer Francis Howard Bickerton was born on the site of the hotel in 1889, and the on-site Frank’s restaurant is named after him. The menu offers a modern take on classic British dishes like Cornish cod loin or Berkshire estate venison. Daily fish is sourced from Newlyn, Cornwall and Brixham, Devon. Meanwhile, afternoon tea is served on the terrace overlooking pretty gardens. Hotel guests are eligible for a 20% discount at Blenheim Palace, only 20 minutes away.