Red Mullions Guest House

There was no water in the shower at all, not even the next morning. My wife and I had driven from Edinburgh to Oxford exhausted, hoping for a hot shower, but the taps were dry. We managed to wash our faces, then rushed out within 30 minutes for a conference. When we returned around 10:00 PM, there was still no water. I messaged the hotel through Booking.com and got no response. My wife was menstruating, so being without basic hygiene facilities was disgusting and unacceptable. We checked out at 9:00 AM and told the receptionist in person. She casually said, "I saw your message last night. Sorry." That was all. I stayed one night, checked in at 6:00 PM and left by 9:00 AM, thankfully. It was the worst hotel stay of my life, beyond disappointing, negligent, and inexcusable.

The service was excellent, and the communication made arriving late easy. They also let us leave the car there while we shopped in Headington, a great location for Headington. Our room, number 6, was disappointing though: quite small, with a useless shower and, surprisingly, no shower gel or similar. Private and oversight. Great location fir.

The facilities were clean, and the service was friendly and excellent. Booking was easy, and late-night arrivals get clear, simple instructions. The door keypad is tiny, though, so you’ll need a good torch and good eyesight in the dark.

We stayed one night in a family room with one double bed, one single, and an en suite. Everyone slept well. The room was excellent, with useful touches the chains could learn from, like USB charging points on the sockets, an adjustable TV bracket, and plenty of milk for hot drinks. The decor is an odd mix of old and new that clashes, but I thought it added to the charm. The place is quirky, quiet, clean, warm, and comfortable, with a good location. The outside is welcoming, and there are surprisingly many parking spaces for the size of the plot. Even arriving late, booking and check-in were hassle free. It’s far enough from the centre to be quiet, but close enough to get there easily by car or bus. We’ll stay here again if we visit. That’s what I like about an independent local guest house: each place has its own character.