Restaurants

Afternoon Tea at Macdonald Randolph Hotel

Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LN, GB

Rating: 4.2 ★ (1498 ratings)

Details

The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels, a landmark building on Beaumont Street, stands opposite the Ashmolean Museum in the heart of Oxford. This historic hotel, known for its Victorian Gothic architecture, has welcomed guests since 1866 and offers a unique Alice in Wonderland themed Afternoon Tea. Indulge in whimsical sweet treats like the White Rabbit's pocket watch, a white chocolate and passion fruit jelly creation, or the Queen of Hearts' chocolate and raspberry entremets. Savoury finger sandwiches, fluffy scones with jam and clotted cream, and a selection of fine teas complete this enchanting experience, served daily in the stunning Drawing Room or The Alice restaurant. For an extra touch of magic, enjoy the sounds of a live pianist on select weekend afternoons.

Beyond its famed afternoon tea, The Randolph boasts a rich history, even playing a role in the Inspector Morse television series, with the on-site Morse Bar named in tribute. The hotel’s central location on Beaumont Street, itself an elegant Georgian terrace, places you a short stroll from Oxford's world-famous university colleges, museums, and shops. After a day exploring nearby attractions such as the Oxford Playhouse or the historic Martyrs' Memorial, the hotel’s Drawing Room and The Alice provide an epitome of English style and charm for a memorable afternoon tea. Whether you opt for the traditional tea or add a "Drink Me" cocktail or a glass of English sparkling wine, it's an experience designed to delight.

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+44 344 879 9132

Comments

George Hutton
17 Mar 2026
2.0 ★
We’ve stayed here a dozen times in the last ten years but this will be our last stay. The lady who checked us in was dismissive and disinterested. The room was lovely but Very noisy indeed so very little sleep. The shower was cold. Properly cold. They moved us to a quieter room for the next night which was good. Shower this morning not only cold again but virtually no pressure so it took five minutes just to make sure the soap was off. Breakfast was nothing like last time. Coffee was overrun and bitter. No fruit. Yes. No fruit. Only sliced apple. I asked for some berries and was told they had none. The menu service is gone so welcome to a large scale buffet just like a conference hotel. Congealed eggs and sweaty bacon dripping in fat. Stale pastries. All this for 400 pounds a night. It used to be lovely and clearly the bean counters have taken charge and are going for the bare minimum. Apart from the check in lady, all the staff try hard Oxford’s Grand Dame is gone. A faceless homogeneous business / tour hotel is the new reality.
Revekka Brukh Hughes
11 Mar 2026
4.0 ★
A gorgeous property centrally located! The staff is trying to be friendly but you can tell they are slightly understaffed. It took a while to get food and drinks. The girl at the front desk on Saturday, May 24th 2025 was a bit short with my party and I and left an unpleasant feeling for us at check out. Perhaps she was stressed, as the hotel seemed absolutely full to capacity. The bellman (whom we tipped after) was phenomenal and gave us a lovely chat before we departed for the train station. We loved our room with view of the museum!! My sister got a 30min facial at the spa and said it was phenomenal. We will probably book elsewhere in the future.
Aga Aga
7 Mar 2026
5.0 ★
I stayed with my daughter for an overnight spa, and we enjoyed it very much. The hotel is amazing, nothing we have seen anywhere else. The spa is small, but apart from us, there was only one lady using the facilities, so it doesn't feel small at all. The spa is quiet with some background music, you can relax on a sofa and have some tea. We were given slippers, gowns, and towels. There was lots of bottled water, too. For the treatment, I chose the chocolate wrap. It was my first ever spa treatment, and it was an amazing experience thanks to the wonderful therapist, Ana. She was highly professional, making me feel completely at ease from start to finish. Her touch was gentle, respectful, and thoughtful, ensuring I was comfortable at all times. Her slow, delicate movements made the entire experience deeply relaxing, and I truly felt like she was there for me. It was the perfect introduction to spa treatments, and I couldn’t have asked for a better therapist. Highly recommended!
Pratiksha Bansod
1 Mar 2026
5.0 ★
I recently visited The Snug at the Randolph Oxford. Huge shoutout to Akshay who looked after us. He was so friendly and really knew his stuff.
He recommended 6–7 different cocktails based on what each of us liked, and honestly, we all loved what we got. He made sure every drink matched our tastes perfectly and gave us amazing service throughout. You can tell he’s really good at what he does.
Definitely giving a full 5 stars; both to the place and especially to Akshay for making the whole experience even better :)
Steve Morrison
28 Jan 2026
4.0 ★
Beautiful rooms, great location and the staff work ever so hard (Eric from reception and the three guys on the concierge - get special mention). The food and drinks were also excellent. We also got beautiful chocolates and a bottle of prosecco for a suite on our wedding day.

However our other room was too hot, we didn’t always get hot water in the shower and we were over charged for the spa (but they did take off the difference on second use, after flagging). We put 4 stars simply because of the price and whilst only minor, for the price, I’d expect perfect service

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