We received a warm welcome upon arrival at around 13.35, after parking in the spacious car park (accessed from Norham Road, a turning off the Banbury Road), and were immediately able to check into our room. We had been allocated a ground floor courtyard room which was most welcome in the summer heat as our door opened onto a pleasant outside area with seating and a fountain. First floor courtyard rooms had a small balcony. We had booked through Late Rooms at a price that was fairly eye-watering, but considerably lower than the hotel's advertised rates and we saved a further 25% off the cost of our weekend stay by choosing Saturday and Sunday night, as opposed to Friday and Saturday. We had previously stayed at The Randolph in the city centre, but their prices were well above what we wanted to pay for a weekend away.
The room itself was chintzy and about as compact as it could be, as was the bathroom, but both were clean and functional; bathroom towels were fluffy and soaps and flannels were good quality. We did not eat at the hotel as we were visiting family for a champagne and strawberry picnic and punt along the river; evening celebratory meal at Gees – an excellent restaurant virtually opposite the hotel – and a garden barbecue. However, there were good quality biscuits and a selection of teas and coffee in the room and the bar service was excellent and attentive. Helpful reception staff provided maps and clear directions to our various destinations. The hotel is about 15 minutes walk from the City Centre and located on the bus route: alternatively, taxis are plentiful.
We slept well, though the bed was a little soft for our liking (to be fair, our bed at home is like a board!) However, we were woken early by the people in the room above who spent a couple of hours banging things about and walking/running backward and forwards making the floorboards creak! I could only imagine their room was considerably larger and they moved furniture about to undergo some kind of fitness routine? I gave up trying to get back to sleep and took a newspaper and cup of tea out into the courtyard where I enjoyed some early morning peace and quiet beside the fountain with just a pair of doves for company. All in all it was a lovely stay.
