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| The Royal Oxford
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We dashed from the car into the lobby of The Royal Oxford Hotel On a typically rainy June evening, leaving the dismal grey world outside and stepping into a sanctuary of calm and tranquillity. The hustle and bustle of the busy Park End Street and nearby station disappeared as the friendly and helpful reception staff in the recently modernised lobby greeted us. In fact the whole hotel has undergone renovations, with lovely new bathrooms in all the rooms.
There are 26 rooms in total including two family rooms. We were shown to our spacious and comfortable room on the second floor. Our room overlooked Park End Street but thanks to the wonders of double-glazing we heard not a sound of the Saturday-night party crowds from the street below. Each room is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, bottled water and a delicious fruit bowl. For hotter days all the rooms are conveniently fitted with air-con units. The bathroom was large and stocked with a range of complimentary goodies. All rooms come with hairdryers, big fluffy towels, and extra blankets and pillows.
We dried off and ventured back out into the now drier street. Within two minutes, we were in the heart of Oxford – in the buzz and atmosphere of George Street and Oxford Castle. We opted for a meal at Jamie’s new restaurant but you are spoilt for choice at that end of town. We called in at Carluccio’s before heading back for the night. By next autumn the new Café Coco will be open on the ground floor of the Hotel itself.
The front door is locked at 11pm but a very efficient night porter quickly ushered us in. He checked our breakfast order and morning paper request before bidding us goodnight. The bed was a good king-size and meltingly comfortable. The night was blissfully quiet; the first we knew of morning was the arrival of our breakfast and the Sunday papers. We opted for the continental – croissants, cereal, juice and tea but a full English breakfast was available downstairs in the dining room.
And that was it – the end of our night off from home. Back to reality. We’d had a great night out, a good night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast. What more do you need from a hotel?
Reviewed by Catherine and Alex Sternberg
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