Recommendations for Hotels, Inns or BnB’s in Oxford

While we didn’t stay there, we stopped in at the Randolph Hotel earlier this month for some mulled wine and it looked very nice.

It would help to have some more info. For example, are you looking for a B&B, or a more modern hotel? Are you on a strict budget or does it matter? I'm assuming you want something in the city center. 😊 I stayed at the Marriott when I was there (I had points) and it was very convenient to the sites, but it's a typical modern hotel.

Thank you for your responses so far. Weare looking for a central location that has a limited number of stairs or a lift.We will be there in early May.

I had a nice stay at the BW Linton Lodge hotel, but it is not in the centre. You’d need to take a short (10-minute) bus ride to reach the centre. Also, some rooms are more accessible than others, so guests need to enquire about floors and steps. But, overall, I recommend the lodge and location.

In September 2024 I stayed in Oxford using University Rooms at both Rhodes House and Rewley House. The availability of rooms really depends on when you are traveling so it is hit or miss but I really liked staying at both. Rhodes House was beautiful and had recently renovated bedrooms. Rewley House felt much more like student accommodations but was also fun. The Randolph looked very fun, if pricey. Enjoy!

If you might like something slightly out of the ordinary but in a good location, we stayed at Malmaison Oxford in Oxford. It’s a former prison! The rooms are modern, and the breakfast/dinner restaurant was good and very handy. The decor of the hotel highlights the former prison theme, and I enjoyed taking some photos of the unique interior.

I stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre and would stay there again.

What can I say about it? It's a Marriott. It was comfortable, clean, and in a very nice area (and has AC and elevators). It was a short 10 min. walk from the train station and another short walk (maybe 10 minutes) to get to the main sights. I stayed here because I had a free night. The room was nice and comfy, and the staff was pleasant and efficient. Breakfast was extra and a bit pricey so I opted to eat elsewhere.

If you are flying out of Heathrow after Oxford and you decide to take the Airline Bus to LHR (which I would recommend), it's an even shorter distance to the bus station from the hotel; about a 5 minute walk to the Gloucester Green Bus Station.

Rick doesn’t cover Oxford at all which is a bit surprising

The Rick Steves England book includes Oxford. I have the 2024 book and it includes more than 50 pages on Oxford including a self-guided walk. You are probably looking at the Great Britain book which does not include Oxford.

On his book pages, if you click on ”What’s Included”, you can see the contents for a particular guidebook
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/england-guidebook

In 2019, I stayed at the Porterhouse Grill and Rooms. It was convenient to the train station. I had a nice stay there but you’d need to check current reviews. It was much more than I typically pay for a hotel.

Not sure when you are going, but we will be staying at the Cotswolds Lodge Hotel on Banbury, a little way from city centre in April. It has one or more ground floor rooms, which we have booked. I'll write a report when we get back.

Edited to add: Oh, I see. You are going in May. I'll try to report back before then if you are interested.

Thanks very much!