Where To Stay In Oxford: The Ultimate Neighborhood Guide
Oxford is home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world with the first evidence of teaching as early as 1096. With its beautiful Victorian and Gothic architecture, the city's famous "dreaming spires" have been attracting movie directors, writers, scientists, and scholars for centuries. Tons of cult movies and series have been filmed in Oxford including Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, Tolkien, and Downton Abbey among others.
Besides its magnificent architecture, and Oxford's oldest colleges, the city attracts tourists for its history, tradition and nightlife. It is also one of the best places to live and study. As a result, Oxford offers a wide range of accommodation options that will suit any budget, interest and style.
Whether you are visiting for the weekend, planning a longer stay, looking for fun nightlife, or want to delve deep into Oxford's history, Oxford has accommodation for everyone. From luxury hotels, converted Victorian merchant houses and prison cells, to rural hotels and cozy bed and breakfast lodging in the countryside, Oxford has it.
Store your belongings with an Oxford luggage storage service and explore the city to find the right hotel for you. But first, read on for the ultimate neighborhood guide highlighting some of the most popular accommodation options in Oxford.
Where to stay in Oxford City Centre
The heart of the city, or the Historic City Centre, is the best area for first-time travelers, whether you are traveling with your family, friends, solo, or with your partner. But unlike other cities, Oxford has a village feel to it, so don't expect to see skyscrapers and busy business districts. The stunning architecture in Oxford is everywhere, but being centrally located means you are closer to most Oxford attractions.
Choosing to stay in Oxford City Centre means you are close to Oxford University, the oldest university in the UK, and can explore the University grounds whenever you want. Also, right in the heart of the city is Christ Church Meadow, a large green space often used for sport, entertainment and recreation. From medieval churches, museums, and restaurants for brunch or dinner, central Oxford is the best area to stay in Oxford.
The easy access to these beautiful attractions doesn't mean the hotels in the area will break the bank. Though some of the best hotels in Oxford are located right in the City Centre, here, you can also find accommodation for every budget.
The Old Bank Hotel
For the best decor and views, check out the 5-star Old Bank Hotel right in the heart of historical Oxford. Featuring rooms with exquisite decor and marble bathrooms, this is one of the best luxury hotels in Oxford and will make you feel like a VIP for the entire stay. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, TV, and workspace. There is free wifi throughout the entire hotel.
Enjoy your full English/Irish and American Breakfast in the Quod restaurant, and your dinners at the terrace boasting beautiful views of the city. The hotel is ideally located, just a short walk from the Botanic Garden, Magdalen Bridge, and the River Cherwell.
Courtyard by Marriott Oxford City Centre
This 4-star hotel in the real heart of the city is ideal for couples. Situated near Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Taylor Institution Library, Blackfriars Hall, and St Cross College, the hotel's convenient location makes it one of the popular places to stay in Oxford. The rooms are modern and fitted with a TV, fridge, ac units, and free wifi while the bathrooms are equipped with a shower, hairdryer and free toiletries.
Continental Breakfast is served every morning and at night you can enjoy your cocktails on the large rooftop terrace with stunning views of Oxford Castle.
Royal Oxford Hotel
If you are looking to spend less money for a convenient location, the 3-star Royal Oxford Hotel is one of the best choices. Located within a short walking distance of the Historic Centre, the hotel offers 26 spacious air conditioned rooms with TV, coffee machine, free snacks, water and free wifi. All of the rooms are en suite.
Oxford Train Station and Oxford Bus Station are nearby, as well as plenty of riverside pubs and restaurants. Full English/Irish or Continental Breakfast is served every morning for a fee, and there is a kid-friendly buffet too.
The Randolph Hotel, by Graduate Hotels
One of the best hotels in Oxford, if not the best, is the Randolph Hotel, located in central Oxford opposite Ashmolean Museum. This 5-star hotel features spacious bedrooms with high ceilings, furnished with period furniture. All of the rooms are en suite with modern bathrooms, mini-fridge, free wifi, coffee and tea facilities, and satellite TV. The Alice restaurant serves English Breakfast and you can enjoy quiet evenings in the Morse bar.
Where to stay in Summertown
The suburb of Summertown, packed with redbrick Victorian houses, is located 1.5 miles from the Historic City Centre, and is the second best area to stay in Oxford. This neighborhood in Oxford is filled with mid-range hotels, allowing you to save some money on accommodation and spend more on shopping and sightseeing.
Summertown area is popular for families as it offers large green spaces (wonderful areas for free fun), entertainment, fun art rooms, and family-friendly streets. Cutteslow Park is an ideal spot for the kids to play during the day, and Blenheim Palace is just a 15-minutes drive from Summertown. Port Meadow is another large green space where you can enjoy a day out with the kids by the river Thames.
What's more, there is plenty of parking available in the area, something that comes in very handy when you travel with kids and have lots of luggage. Summertown is packed with artisan shops, hotels, top notch restaurants, cafes, unique boutiques and there are things to do and see all day long.
Here are some of the best hotels in Summertown, conveniently located and with great reviews.
The Galaxie Hotel
The family-friendly Galaxie Hotel is a 4-star bed and breakfast accommodation featuring 32 large and modern bedrooms, bathrooms and large windows. Each room is individually styled. Guests can enjoy Continental or full English Breakfast each morning, and there are pubs and restaurants in close proximity. The Galaxie also features a large garden, where you can enjoy your morning coffee away from the city noise.
Burlington House
Located on Banbury Road, not far from Oxford University, Burlington House is a mid-range hotel housed in a Victorian home dating from 1889. There are only 12 en suite rooms each one fitted with comfortable beds, flatscreen TV and complimentary water. If you book their two-bedroom apartment expect to see a kitchenette with a fridge, an oven and a dishwasher.
The B&B offers free car parking and beautiful Japanese gardens where you can enjoy your breakfast and morning coffee.
Where to stay in Jericho
If you are in Oxford for nighttime fun, Jericho is the place to be. This lively area is located about 10 minutes north of the City Centre and is where you will find some of the best pubs, vintage stores, trendy clubs, stylish cocktail bars, and some of the best restaurants in Oxford. The hip area boasts Georgian and Victorian architecture and is known for the redbrick houses and colorful homes.
If you are looking to explore Jericho during the day, head to Port Meadow, the largest green space in Oxford, where you can have a picnic, walk by the river, and see wild ponies.
In Jericho you will find lots of accommodation options, and here are some of the best.
Jericho Hotel
The Jericho Hotel is located within short walking distance from Ashmolean Museum, St Benet's Hall and Somerville College. It has 12 rooms, all fitted with a TV, mini-fridge and tea and coffee machines. The hotel also has a swimming pool and free wifi throughout the entire hotel.
If you are a fan of Lebanese cuisine, you are in for a treat. The in-house restaurant serves a wide range of Lebanese meals for lunch and dinner, and Continental Breakfast is served every morning.
Remont Oxford Hotel
This 4-star family hotel offers spacious en suite bedrooms with a work desk, complimentary tea, coffee and water. Select rooms have sofas and bathtubs. There is a garden and terrace where you can enjoy family dinners and two lounge areas inside the hotel.
Enjoy free parking and free wifi. Continental and full English/Irish Breakfast are served every morning, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby for lunch and dinner.
Where to stay in South Oxford
South Oxford is not that far away from the city, but far enough from the city noise. Oxford countryside offers a lot of spas which makes this area one of the most popular for couples and weekend trips. If you are a fan of the outdoors, this area will keep you busy day and night and when it's time to head to Oxford City Centre, you are there in 20 minutes by foot.
In south Oxford, you can explore Iffley Meadows, The Kidneys, and the canals. You can also rent a bicycle but the best way to experience South Oxford and the beautiful views of the countryside is to take a water cruise down the canals and make your trip with your loved one even more memorable.
In South Oxford, you will find some of the best boutique hotels and budget hotels in Oxford. Here are the most popular ones.
Voco Oxford Spires
Located between Hinksey Park and Aston's Eyot, near the river Thames is one of the best hotels in South Oxford. Set on 40 acres of land, the 4-star hotel features a pool, a gym and the Willows Health Club and Spa with a steam room and sauna, where you can get pampered after those long days of sightseeing.
The hotel features spacious en suite bedrooms, equipped with modern furniture, a work desk, TV, and free wifi. Select rooms have sofas and extra tables and chairs. Deacon's Restaurant serves Continental and full English/Irish Breakfast, along with afternoon tea and snacks.
The Oxford Townhouse Bed
Located on Abingdon Road, the Oxford Townhouse bed & breakfast is surrounded by large green spaces making it ideal for families. It is a few minutes' walk from Christ Church Meadow Walk and just a 10-minute walk from Oxford City Centre.
The air conditioned rooms have separate bathrooms with complimentary toiletries and a hairdryer. All of the rooms feature a TV, safety deposit boxes, a mini-fridge with complimentary soft drinks, and free wifi. Select rooms are fitted with a coffee machine, kingsize beds and rainfall showers. At the Oxford Townhouse, you can enjoy a full English Breakfast, with vegetarian and gluten free options.
Staying in Central Oxford and beyond
Oxford is one of the best places to visit in the world. Where to stay in Oxford? There are tons of accommodation options, which is why we made this guide to help you narrow down your search for Oxford hotels and to make your stay in Oxford the best it can be. From Oxford accommodation near Christ Church College to the best cheap hotels for Harry Potter fans, this small city has a lot to offer.
Of course, there are plenty more hotels, hostels, bed & breakfast options, and Airbnb's but our ultimate guide to where to stay in Oxford includes some of the best and the most popular.