Old Parsonage Hotel
1-3 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 6NN
Rating: 4.7 ★ (1092 ratings)
Details
Old Parsonage Hotel is a charming, independently owned five-star establishment in Oxford, blending 17th-century country house character with chic modern interiors. Dating back to 1660, the building still boasts its original wooden door and has welcomed guests for centuries, including Oscar Wilde. This luxury home-from-home stands out for its eclectic design, featuring striking 20th-century portraits, unique Oxford sketches, and a wonderfully intimate atmosphere. Situated at the head of St Giles' boulevard, it is just a short stroll from the heart of Oxford city centre, surrounded by colleges, museums, and historic pubs.
The hotel features 35 individually designed bedrooms and suites, each offering luxurious handmade beds, rich natural fabrics, and magnificent marble bathrooms, often with underfloor heating. Many rooms include bespoke amenities such as a treat-filled minibar, smart TV, and Nespresso machines in the larger accommodations. Dining is a highlight at the Parsonage Grill, known for its classic British dishes and famous afternoon teas served in a bohemian setting or on the tranquil courtyard terrace. Guests can also enjoy exclusive access to a light-filled residents' library and may borrow complimentary vintage bicycles to explore the city.
The Old Parsonage Hotel offers impeccable hospitality and caters wonderfully to those seeking a refined escape in a historic setting, from sightseers to couples and even families, with specific child-friendly amenities available. Its blend of luxurious comfort and rich history makes it an ideal choice for short stays, cultural visits, or simply a peaceful retreat within reach of Oxford's vibrant academic and literary scene. This hotel promises a truly authentic and indulgent experience for anyone visiting the city.
Location
Opening Hours
Monday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Thursday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Friday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Saturday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Sunday: 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Contact
+44 1865 310210 | https://www.oldparsonagehotel.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=hotel-oldparsonage
Comments
There can be loads of pedestrians walking along the road and it's on a busy high street.
The colour palettes are soft and nice, some of the rooms are not that spacious but yet cosy enough for a good night rest.
They have some lovely outdoor seating area and some rooms with patios at the back. There is also a pod at the back. It's next door to one of the church's in Oxford so the bell chimes every hour.
The afternoon tea was tasty 😋 and they have one meeting room spaces that is ideal for boardroom style conversation sitting about 16 people.
They have a bar area, and a fire log mini reception lounge. The staff are quite nice. The hotel layout itself is a maze, loads of stairs dotted around, no lifts though but only 2 floors.
They have this cute library that has some really super comfy seating and mini outdoor space if you need a quiet zone.
It has a 3-4 star vibe, costs a bit but if you know Oxford, then you know most things are costly here 😊
I would recommend 🤗
We paid around €2,300 for two rooms for two nights, which is quite a significant amount, and especially for a hotel with a Michelin Key, we expected a much higher level of service.
The building itself is beautiful and full of character, and our rooms were nice. However, there isn’t much to the hotel beyond the rooms and restaurant in terms of additional facilities or amenities.
One of the biggest issues for us was the lack of assistance with luggage. There is no bell service, and we had three large suitcases with rooms on the top floor. The receptionist was lovely, but understandably couldn’t leave one girl to carry them herself, so we had to carry everything ourselves ( she did help one of us but still). I was travelling with a post-athletic injury and my older parents both have back problems, so this was particularly difficult. Of course, I wouldn’t necessarily expect luggage service from every hotel, but at this price point and level of hotel, I do think it’s a reasonable expectation.
Parking was also quite stressful. The parking area is very small, which was particularly difficult with a larger car.
The restaurant was good and the food itself was genuinely high quality. However, dinner service was extremely slow - it took around 1.5 hours for our mains to arrive. Two of us had starters, but the other two didn’t, so it was a very long wait for them. It seemed that the kitchen may have been understaffed, and considering how busy they were, I actually think the kitchen did very well to maintain the quality of the food. It felt more like they simply needed additional staff to cope with the demand. The waiter was also great and did give us a small discount for the wait which we really did appreciate.
Breakfast was also delicious, although again there was quite a long wait.
Overall, it’s a beautiful property with nice rooms and good food, and the staff we interacted with were pleasant. My disappointment is mainly with the price-to-experience ratio. For what we paid and given the hotel’s Michelin Key status, I expected a more seamless and attentive experience. At a lower price point, I probably would have rated the stay more highly.