Cotswold Lodge

The courtyard room was so quiet I didn’t even need earplugs. It was clean and well equipped, with traditional furnishings, a modern en-suite and an excellent mattress. Staff were professional and accommodating. They let me check in a little early and leave my bag the next day. Breakfast is worth booking ahead. There are the usual cold options as well as a cooked-to-order menu, served efficiently. The hotel is reasonably priced and close to North Parade and University Parks. It’s fairly central if you’re used to walking. Highly recommended, and my new choice when I’m in Oxford.

My wife said the place had a touch of Fawlty Towers, and that sums up the service pretty well. It could be chaotic and a little bonkers, but in a funny, charming way rather than anything troublesome. An earlier review mentioned the same thing, and I think that’s fair. The room was clean, though a bit colder than I’d have liked. That’s down to personal preference. All the staff were very friendly and the food was really good. I can’t really complain, everything was absolutely fine.

The staff were really friendly, and there was plenty of parking on site, which is very useful in Oxford. Still, I struggled to see how the hotel got its 4-star rating. I’ve had better stays at a number of 3-star hotels. We’d planned to eat at the hotel in the evening, but the restaurant was fully booked, so the only option was the bar area. They were serving a set Valentine’s menu with very limited choice, and we ended up eating out. Our room was up two narrow flights of stairs, with no lift, which wasn’t ideal with lots of luggage. The continental breakfast was free to help yourself to, but everything else had to be ordered, with little flexibility. Cappuccino or latte cost an extra £2 on top of tea or coffee. The room’s tea and coffee were tucked away on a tray in a bottom drawer, which was awkward to get out.

The staff were great and super helpful, and the room was huge, comfortable and clean. I especially liked the large, spacious bath. It’s just under a mile from central Oxford, and we enjoyed the safe, pleasant walk into town each day. You could easily take a bus instead. I really liked this hotel and would highly recommend it.