Noisy, basic, expensive but central location and clean

My experience mirrors that of most [ cant understand the positive visitors who must have very low expectations of hotels]. It is basic, expensive and on three busy roads - so it is the noisiest hotel ever stayed in - we had the additional problem of double glazing inside window which would not close because it was broken. little interest shown in maintenance.

Staff are really not interested in any way - blank looks to any 'gently put' comment.

We were lucky to stay only one night - I sleep 'like the dead' so had little problem unlike my partner who had to endure the stream of four leter expletives being screamed late at night up and down the street as well as police and fire engine sirens and the icing on the cake are the numerous people stopping at the traffic lights outside the hotel who generously share their music with you!

Restaurant attached is ok- had good meal and breakfast there was excellent - the only positive moments of the stay. I would recomentd staying there if there really is no alternative otherwise visit oxford at another time with another hotel.

Exceeded Expectations - Quite Good, Actually

My week's stay at the hotel in July 2005 was very pleasant, and not at all like the experience of some of your other reviewers. Admittedly rooms are small, but no worse than most English hotels. My room was clean, the bathroom modern, and the small touches - mineral water and fruit - were welcome. There is a good choice on the menu for breakfast. Staff were extremely courteous and helpful. I'd return here the next time I visit Oxford.

Dreadful Hotel

Really noisy location at a major road junction with a number of clubs/bars spilling out onto the street in the early hours. The room was cramped and in poor condition, breakfast a few cling wrapped rolls.

At night other "guests" rampaged through the corridors yelling to one another with impunity. This is without doubt the worst hotel I have ever stayed in.

When I check out after one night to go somewhere else the staff didn't seem to care.

Good basic hotel

I stayed at this hotel for 5 nights in January 2005, as a business traveller, and had a mixed experience. The hotel is certainly not luxurious (very small lobby, narrow corridors, no lift, small and plainly-decorated rooms, plastic fittings and lino floors in bathrooms!) but there were some nice touches to compensate - e.g. wireless internet connection, fruit, chocolates and mineral water in rooms, and very friendly and helpful staff. The location is also very convenient and central (opposite the station). The restaurant / bar is not actually part of the hotel, but is OK and serves tasty steakhouse type meals (but very pricey even with 10% discount for hotel guests). Overall, I wouldn't choose to stay here as a tourist (unless I was offered a good discount) but it is perfectly adequate for a short business stay. Tip: ask for a quiet room, as one side of the hotel is on a busy main road and very noisy!

A Clean Dorm Room

This hotel should be really rated as a 2.5 star. It's a clean 2 star hotel (and that's where it gets the extra 0.5 stars from).

As a member of Oxford University and somebody who has resided in college accommodation, I can tell you that the rooms here look exactly like the college dorm rooms and there is nothing special. In fact, one of my college dorm rooms was much larger than our room at this hotel.

Notes: You do get a basket of ripe fruit and a tea/coffee making set & bedside chocolates. There is no elevator meaning that heavy suitcases must be brought up the stairs (no ground-level rooms). There is a place to leave luggage, but it's completely left unsupervised and anyone could conceivably run off with your stuff.

Location: A hotel located right next to Oxford's business school (SBS), Oxford Rail Station, and Gloucester Green (Central Oxford Bus Station). There is no hotel-parking available. Both High Street and Cornmarket are a good 10-15 minute walk. Oxford Brookes requires a 20-25 minute bus ride or taxi ride.

In regard to previous posts about rude staff members, this still seems to be the norm. But its cleanliness as a hotel makes up for these problems. I would personally not pay more than 45GBP (VAT incl) for a night at this establishment though it usually costs more for a room. Search the internet for prices. Also check out ---------------------

* Based on January 2005 stay at this hotel

Ignore the above reviews: A reformed hotel

The Royal Oxford Hotel has been dramatically refurbished in the last 12 months and was one of the better hotels I stayed at during my recent time in the UK. It is very well located, has friendly helpful staff, and very well appointed rooms including a daily supply of fruit and chocolates. I really enjoyed my time there and strongly recommend the place to other travellers. Indeed, there were a number of people at reception who shared my view. They could not understand how the hotel had received such bad reviews. The answer is that it is under new management now.

Although the breakfast is a bit pricey, there are good places up in Glouster Sq. near the bus-station (only 5 mins away).

Uncomfortable, Overpriced

Was supposed to stay here 9 days for a business trip, checked out after two and moved to Express by Holiday Inn. No parking was a real problem.

Had to move my car from the parking lot blocks away by 8 am, but breakfast didn't start until 8:15. Room was not remarkable and bed was very uncomfortable. Breakfast (for an extra 10 GBP) was so-so.

Definitely overpriced.

Like a college dormatory in feeling

I have stayed at this hotel twice. It is well located, but the rooms are not comfortable. There is but a very small desk and no comfortable reading chair. Each room either overlooks a very busy street (noisy from traffic and pedestrians) or the interior shaft (noisy from mechanical equipment). The breakfast is usually very good, but on some occasions, the wait staff was rude.

I may stay there again because of it's convenient location, but it would never be my first choice.

Not as advertised

Staff were not that friendly or interested and and booking was an experience! I will not be going back.

Overpriced hotel

This is a very average lower-end hotel, but priced higher than justified. Our room was large, but the furniture and bathroom were somewhat old and poorly maintained. The staff was not particularly helpful. There are no elevators or parking available (parking is in a public lot over a block away). The hotel may make some sense for people arriving by train, as it is close to the station, but it is a 5 or 10 minute walk into the center of Oxford. Although there were no major compaints, I expected something better at the price.