The Best Hotels to Book in Oxford, UK

History buffs with a fondness for ole Winnie will love the Churchill-themed suites at this refined country house. If you’re unmoved by the unique collection of photos, artwork and artefacts focussed on the British Bulldog’s life, the impressive marble bathroom and complimentary seasonal fruit and mineral water will win you over. Like sipping champagne with your afternoon tea? Be sure to book a table at the Parsonage Grill for home-made scones and bubbly beside a roaring log fire.

When you’re standing on the rooftop terrace at the Courtyard staring at Oxford Castle, you won’t be too bothered if you’re late for dinner. You shouldn’t skip the meal completely, though – make sure you get your fill of modern UK classics at the on-site restaurant. Longing for the view as you push chips around your plate? Take your meal up to your castle-view king room and dine with the Medieval castle just outside the window.

Add a pop of vibrance and funk to your holiday with a stay at the Galaxie. This Victorian manor house is now a colourful hotel dotted with contemporary art and sculptures. The single rooms are ideal for solo travellers, while the superior doubles are large enough to settle in for a longer visit. No matter the room size, you’ll gladly roll out of bed come breakfast time. The scent of milky lattes and Brie-L-T crêpes will lead you down to Maya’s in the morning.

If you’re visiting Oxford for its past, you can’t get more historical than this. The building, set on 30 acres (12ha) of parkland, has been owned by notable religious figures, lords and kings – and its surroundings were originally the headquarters of the Knights Templar. You won’t be sleeping on bails of hay, though. The simple, chic rooms – some with views of the Thames – are housed in a sympathetically restored building with a spa, a pool and a fitness centre.

A pleasant 15-minute walk from the centre of Oxford, this modern and stylish hotel offers a breakfast buffet, an in-house restaurant and a cocktail bar. Add to that the pool, spa, gym, Thames views and numerous bells and whistles, and you’ll need to remind yourself to find time to visit the city of Oxford itself. The rooms are bright, comfortable and well-formed, with premium bedding, deluxe toiletries and aerated showers.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll love having a two Michelin-star restaurant just moments from your bedroom at this Oxford hotel. Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is the brainchild of Raymond Blanc and sits in picturesque working gardens featuring gardening and cookery schools, orchards and mushroom fields. The elegant, classical bedrooms are individually designed, drawing inspiration from Monsieur Blanc’s extensive travels. Oxford is only 8mi (13km) away, but it’s understandable if you never want to leave the hotel grounds.

If you like your country chic with a bohemian edge, you’ve come to the right place. This artistically minded boutique hotel lies 10mi (16km) outside Oxford and surrounds you with curated art at every turn. Each quirky room has an endearing individual character – choose between being tucked away in the eaves or staying at the end of the garden in a cosy shepherd’s hut. The grub is scrumptious, and every bedroom has a coffee maker, a DAB radio and high-end toiletries.

Combining afternoon teas, Victorian interiors, rooms named after the Oxford colleges, marble bathrooms and a great breakfast, this traditional Cotswold stone house in central Oxford delivers a cosy and romantic English mini-break. Being less than a five-minute walk from University Parks and about 20 minutes from the city centre, the hotel is well placed for visiting sights such as the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Oxford Castle.

With the unusual tagline, “Better than your average prison,” this Oxford hotel gives an old prison a luxury makeover while preserving the architecture of its old incarnation. It’s really leaned into the theme, with rooms such as the Double House of Correction and the Double Cell Room. No slopping out or lights out for you, though – your tastefully decorated cell boasts all the mod cons.

Right in the historic centre of Oxford, this hotel balances chic accommodation with the preservation of the baroque-style classical architecture of Sir John Vanbrugh, the mastermind behind Blenheim Palace. When you stay here, you’ll feel immersed in the rich past of the city, as each superior room tells a story of a famous Oxford resident or one related to the historic building. The finishing is sumptuous, with each room featuring a Nespresso machine, a rain shower, a smart TV and a continental breakfast in bed. It’s pure bliss.