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Malmaison Oxford Hotel, Oxford
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Key details
About the Hotel
3 Oxford Castle,
Oxford,
United Kingdom,
OX1 1AY,
Oxfordshire
Malmaison Oxford is a boutique hotel situated in a former Victorian prison, offering a unique blend of historical charm and modern luxury. This unconventional conversion houses 95 distinctively styled rooms and is located a mere 10-minute walk from key attractions like the University of Oxford and Christ Church Cathedral. Guests can experience a vibrant dining scene and various leisure and business facilities within this historic setting.
Location
Conveniently positioned in Oxford's city center, the hotel is located just a short walk from the main railway station and numerous attractions. Nearby, guests can explore historic sites, including Oxford Castle and the Ashmolean Museum. Public parking is available within a short walking distance, and the area is well-served by public transport links to major airports.
Rooms
The rooms at Malmaison Oxford feature luxurious beds, super-fast Wi-Fi, and well-appointed en-suite bathrooms with drench showers and modern amenities. Many guest rooms are created from repurposed prison cells, providing spacious accommodations enhanced with contemporary décor. Guests can choose from various room types, including standard, club, and junior suites, often featuring unique design elements that blend history with comfort.
Eat & Drink
Chez Mal Brasserie serves a modern twist on classic dishes, emphasizing fresh, local ingredients in its menu. The restaurant's ambiance captures the historic essence of the building while offering a diverse selection of dining options, from à la carte to prix fixe menus. The plush Chez Mal Bar complements the dining experience, featuring a wide array of cocktails and wines in a lively atmosphere.
Leisure & Business
Malmaison Oxford offers a relaxed atmosphere ideal for both leisure and business engagements. The hotel's meeting rooms are equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi and cutting-edge technology, providing flexible spaces suitable for various types of events. Guests can also unwind in 'The Exercise Yard', a quaint garden designed for leisure, dining, and private events.
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Select your room type
The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences
Unique Cell Stay
Staying in a refurbished cell in the A-wing was a brilliant experience, with quirky decor that highlighted the building's history.view full review
Luxurious Amenities
The Arran Aromatics toiletries in the bathroom added a touch of luxury and made my bathing experience feel truly indulgent.view full review
Pleasant Breakfast
The breakfast offered a delightful variety of veggie options, and the table service made it feel extra special each day.view full review
Cozy Comfort
The bed in my room was exceptionally comfortable, ensuring I had a great night's sleep despite the occasional noise.view full review
General
No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Paid parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Baggage storage
Elevator
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Guest Parking
Electric kettle
Services
Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Dry cleaning
Welcome drink
Dining
In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Business
Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying
Children
Cribs
Spa & Leisure
Garden area
Room features
Heating
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities
Bathroom
Free toiletries
Self-catering
Electric kettle
Media
Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock
Room decor
Carpeted floor
Show more
Location
3 Oxford Castle,
Oxford,
United Kingdom,
OX1 1AY,
Oxfordshire
Map view
street view
3 Oxford Castle,
Oxford,
United Kingdom,
OX1 1AY,
Oxfordshire
City landmarks
Museums
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
4400 ft
Museums
Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
2400 ft
Museums
Pitt Rivers Museum
4700 ft
University
Bridge of Sighs
3100 ft
High St
University Church of St Mary the Virgin
2500 ft
Museums
History of Science Museum
3300 ft
Botanical Garden
Oxford Botanic Garden
4000 ft
Bodleian Library Broad Street
Bodleian Library
2900 ft
Oxford OX1 4AU
Magdalen College Deer Park
4100 ft
Broad Street
Sheldonian Theatre
3200 ft
Libraries
Radcliffe Camera
2600 ft
University
Balliol College
2500 ft
Church
Exeter College
2300 ft
University
Trinity College
2800 ft
University
Brasenose College
2300 ft
University
Merton College
3000 ft
University
The Queen's College
2900 ft
University
St Peter-in-the-East
3100 ft
Holywell Street
New College
4100 ft
University
University of Oxford
3200 ft
13 Magdalen Street
Martyrs' Memorial
3100 ft
Nearby
Castle
Oxford Castle
600 ft
Church
Christ Church
1700 ft
Market
The Covered Market Oxford
1800 ft
Tower
Carfax Tower
1300 ft
Museums
Museum of Oxford
1500 ft
University
St Peter's College
900 ft
Museums
The Story Museum
1400 ft
Town Hall St. Aldates
Oxford Town Hall
1500 ft
Gallery
Modern Art Oxford
900 ft
Restaurants
1855 Wine Bar
200 ft
4 Oxford Castle New Road New Road
Slug & Lettuce
300 ft
1 Oxford Castle New Road
Castleyard Cafe
300 ft
44-46 Oxford Castle
Prezzo
300 ft
2 Oxford Castle New Road
Nando's Oxford
500 ft
Castle Street RU6
The Castle
400 ft
24 Paradise Street
Comptoir Libanais Oxford
700 ft
227 The Westgate Queen Street
Tommi's Burger Joint
500 ft
Westgate Shopping Center
Cote Brasserie
1600 ft
41-47 George Street
Sticks'n'Sushi Oxford
600 ft
311 Westgate Queen Street
Reviews and Ratings
Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
70%
liked the hotel and would stay again
Cleanliness
Convenient location
Ventilation issue
Inconsistent dining experience
7.0/10
Very good
Rooms
7.1
Location
8.0
Service
7.6
Dining
6.2
Guest reviews
7.0/10
based on 14 review
4/5
based on 4080 review
8.4
8.4/10based on 3778 review
#8 of 47 hotels in Oxford based on Tripadvisor
Philip
United Kingdom,
May
2024
7.0/10
The hotel offers clean and spacious rooms in a prime spot for exploring all locations. The rooms in the 'A' wing are spotless but lack proper ventilation. The service was mostly attentive, with a minor hiccup from one staff member. The location is central and convenient, although lacking a bit in luxury feel. The dining experience had its ups and downs. Overall, a solid choice with a few minor drawbacks.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms are clean and tidy, spacious, and well-appointed, though lacking ventilation in the 'A' wing.
Service
7.0
The service was attentive overall, with a small issue from one staff member.
Location
7.0
The hotel is centrally located, great for exploring the town but could use a touch more luxury.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience had its moments of chaos but also offered delicious options at a good value.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel provides essential facilities suitable for a comfortable stay.
Cleanliness
Ventilation issue
Frances
United States of America,
March
2024
7.2/10
I had a lovely stay at the hotel with superb service, a convenient location in the center of Oxford, and a cozy, private feel. The dining options were a bit disappointing, but overall, it was a great experience.
Rooms
7.0
Although my room, 305, felt cold and formal, it provided a hot and airless environment. The transactions were a bit slow, but overall, the room was comfortable.
Service
9.0
The service was professional and attentive, with the staff going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay. They even changed our room when needed, despite an unfortunate incident with another guest.
Location
8.0
The hotel is perfectly situated in the center of Oxford, near the Westgate Shopping Centre, making it easy to explore the city on foot. Despite some street noises, the cozy atmosphere and fantastic staff made the location ideal.
Dining
5.0
The dining experience was a bit lacking, especially the breakfast. Limited selection compared to other places, making me go out for breakfast instead.
Facilities
The hotel offers various facilities, though some areas could be improved to enhance the overall guest experience.
James
United States of America,
February
2024
8.2/10
Staying in a 'prison' cell room close to the bins was certainly a thrilling experience. The chill from the neighboring room's air conditioning and the lack of proper ventilation made it a bit uncomfortable. However, the unique setting and history added an interesting touch to the stay.
Rooms
7.0
The room was a unique experience, but the noise from the air conditioning and temperature fluctuations were a downside. It could benefit from better ventilation or air conditioning.
Service
9.0
The staff were welcoming and provided detailed information about the stay, which was genuinely helpful. Their service stood out and made the stay more enjoyable.
Location
8.0
The hotel's location in the center of Oxford, near the historic Oxford castle, offers a perfect mix of convenience and charm. It felt cozy and private, away from the bustling roads, making it a unique and pleasant stay.
Dining
9.0
The value for money was impressive, especially enjoying a cocktail for just £16.
Facilities
Roger
United Kingdom,
February
2024
6.8/10
The hotel was situated above the Slug and Lettuce, offering rooms with good quality furnishings and quirky references to the former use as a prison. The air conditioning was not very effective, and the room was priced at £170 for the night.
Rooms
7.0
The room was very hot, and the air conditioning didn't seem to work very well, but the furnishings were of good quality with interesting prison-themed decor.
Service
7.0
The staff were very accommodating and tried to resolve issues promptly, offering fans and a room change, and even providing a small refund for the inconvenience. However, there were some delays in service and a mix-up during breakfast ordering.
Location
7.0
The location was very quirky, but not super central. Despite an odd sitting room layout not in the main prison area, it was fantastic to have everything needed close by, including bars, restaurants, and a shopping center.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience was very good, but there were long wait times for hot food, and the service seemed understaffed on some days. The prices were high for the level of service experienced.
Facilities
7.0
quirky references
ineffective air conditioning
Samuel
United Kingdom,
January
2024
7.8/10
The hotel offers lovely and interesting rooms, but we were surprised with an additional £11 charge. The service was friendly overall, despite some minor issues. The location is excellent for visiting Oxford, making it easy to explore the city. The dining experience had its ups and downs, but the facilities were worth the stay.
Rooms
8.0
The rooms are lovely and interesting, but we were still charged the £11 extra.
Service
7.0
The staff were friendly and helpful, although there were some areas for improvement.
Location
9.0
The central location is excellent for exploring Oxford attractions.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience had its ups and downs, but it was still better than last time.
Facilities
8.0
The facilities provided everything needed for a comfortable stay.
Kevin
United Kingdom,
January
2024
7.0/10
The hotel is centrally located with easy access to the city center and castle grounds. The Chap on reception, Matteo, was exceptionally helpful. The rooms were modern and reasonably comfortable, but being above a bar playing music late into the night was a bit disruptive. The dining experience was a mix of very nice choices but also lacked some items like croissants. Overall, given the high price, the value for money was not satisfactory.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were modern and reasonable enough, but being above a bar playing music into the early hours could be disruptive.
Service
8.0
The service was very helpful overall, with knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Location
7.0
The hotel has a great location with easy access to the city center and into the castle grounds. The area offers plenty of lovely sights and things to do, but the luxury feel was lacking.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience had some nice options like ham and cheese, but lacked items like croissants. The service required some effort to get attention at times.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities were well organized, but there were some areas that need improvement, especially given the high price.
Douglas
United Kingdom,
December
2023
6.0/10
The hotel had well-sized rooms, but a strong bad odor coming from the bathroom made the stay unpleasant. It was just okay but fell short of the star rating and the cost expectations. The service was mixed, with helpful and pleasant staff overall, but raised voices during breakfast affected the experience. The location was convenient, being within the castle grounds, with easy access to sightseeing and shopping in Oxford. The dining experience had good food choices but lacked in service efficiency. Facilities were average, lacking standout features.
Rooms
5.0
The rooms were well-sized but had a strong bad odor from the bathroom.
Service
6.0
The service was a mix - some pleasant interactions but also raised voices during breakfast.
Location
8.0
The hotel's location within the castle grounds was convenient for exploring Oxford.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience had good food choices but lacked in efficient service.
Facilities
5.0
The facilities were average without notable features.
Alan
United Kingdom,
December
2023
8.2/10
The hotel is cozy and comfy, but the loud music from the pub below affected the overall experience. The rooms were nicely decorated, spacious, and clean, offering a comfortable stay. The service was great, with attentive staff and helpful gestures throughout. The location is fantastic, allowing easy access to the city center and other attractions. Dining options were varied, but some were considered a bit overpriced. Overall, a good value for money stay with a few minor drawbacks.
Rooms
9.0
The rooms were clean, cozy, and comfy.
Service
8.0
The service was excellent, with attentive and friendly staff.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location is great for exploring the city center and nearby attractions.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience offered varied options, but some were considered a bit pricey.
Facilities
8.0
The hotel facilities were well-maintained and offered convenience during the stay.
Ralph
United States of America,
November
2023
6.6/10
I had a pleasant stay at the hotel. The rooms were quiet and a decent size, located just across the way from the main building. However, they were situated above a coffee shop/restaurant, making it noisy with windows open in the evening. The old cell doors added a unique touch to the room.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were decent in size and quiet, but the noise from the coffee shop/restaurant below was noticeable with the windows open.
Service
6.0
The service was mixed. While the staff were courteous, efficient, and the restaurant staff even brought humor, some aspects like laying up tables without wiping crumbs off and worn pillows and cushions were evident. They seemed a bit stressed, possibly due to new regulations.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location was excellent, right in the center and within walking distance to everything, including the main street, colleges, and the famous Bodleian Library.
Dining
5.0
The dining experience was average with limited choices, served on cold plates, and a £2 surcharge each time. The staff were present but not very attentive.
Facilities
6.0
Mark
United Kingdom,
September
2023
7.4/10
The hotel offers a mix of bright, airy rooms with some quirks like no hot water in the evening or the following day. The service was excellent overall despite some minor mishaps. Its location is very good, especially for exploring Oxford. The dining experience had its ups and downs, and the facilities are decent.
Rooms
8.0
I stayed in the annexe room with large windows overlooking the garden, making it bright and quiet. It was much bigger and airier than expected, though it seemed to be more of an 'accessible' room.
Service
7.0
The staff were keen and helpful, although there was a slight mix-up with pouring wine into my husband's beer glass. Overall, the service was good, and they were quite attentive.
Location
9.0
The hotel is excellently situated near the city center and the train station, making it convenient for exploring Oxford. It's a unique experience being in a renovated old jail.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience had its fluctuations; the breakfast options were somewhat limited, and some items were not properly refreshed. The cooked options were better than the continental selection.
Facilities
7.0
The facilities offered were decent; however, there were minor issues with the dining experience. The hotel has potential in terms of amenities.
Bright Rooms
Dining Shortcomings
Frederick
United Kingdom,
July
2023
7.4/10
My stay at the hotel was a mixed experience. The rooms were clean and had everything for a relaxing stay, but the noise from the bar until late at night was disturbing. The service, however, was exceptional, with friendly and helpful staff making my stay pleasant. The location was convenient, close to shops and local attractions, but the dining experience fell short of expectations. Despite some drawbacks, the overall value for money was reasonable.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were clean and had everything for a relaxing stay, but noise from the bar was disruptive.
Service
9.0
The service was exceptional with friendly and helpful staff making my stay pleasant.
Location
8.0
The location was convenient, close to shops and local attractions.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience fell short of expectations.
Facilities
7.0
Facilities were adequate for a comfortable stay.
Raymond
United States of America,
June
2023
7.0/10
My stay at the House of Corrections was quite a mixed experience. While the historical setting and friendly staff were highlights, the room showed signs of wear and the dining service left much to be desired. The location was convenient, but some aspects fell short of expectations.
Rooms
6.0
The room I stayed in was a bit tired, with some moldy spots and grubby corners around the furniture. However, the conversion of old cells into a living space added a unique touch.
Service
8.0
The staff at the hotel were incredibly friendly and helpful, especially considering the challenging circumstances of catering to diverse dietary requirements. Their efforts were commendable.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location is spot on, right in the center of the city with easy access to shops, restaurants, and a park and ride site. The car parking arrangements were impressive as well.
Dining
5.0
The dining experience had its flaws. The staff seemed overwhelmed, resulting in delays and incorrect orders. However, the Thai dishes I tried were delivered quickly and were delicious.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel provides the essential facilities expected, but there were no outstanding features that stood out during my stay.
Bud
United States of America,
May
2023
6.8/10
My stay at the hotel was a mixed experience. The rooms were spotlessly clean and cozy, which I loved, but one of the blinds was completely broken, making the room quite dark in the early afternoon. Despite needing a bit of TLC, the room was still enjoyable. The service was friendly and personable, especially the man who checked us in and out. However, we had to ask multiple times to have the restaurant table opened after 10 pm. The location was very central and interesting, but somewhat cramped; although the city center location was convenient, parking was a challenge. The dining experience offered a delicious start to the day, but we had to request various items multiple times and some options were cold.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms were clean and cozy, but one blind was completely broken, darkening the room in the afternoon.
Service
8.0
The staff was very friendly and personable, especially during check-in and check-out, although we had to request the restaurant table to be opened after 10 pm.
Location
6.0
The hotel's city center location was both interesting and humorous, but somewhat cramped and parking was a challenge.
Dining
7.0
The dining experience provided a delicious start to the day, but we had to ask multiple times for various items and some options were served cold.
Facilities
6.0
The hotel offers the standard facilities; however, they could use some improvement considering the overall experience.
Joseph
United States of America,
May
2023
7.0/10
Staying at the hotel was quite an experience. The rooms, named after previous prison guards, had a unique charm with a bit of room for improvement in terms of maintenance. The service was friendly but slightly constrained by language barriers. Its central location in the mix of the town made exploring Oxford easy, despite minor cleanliness issues. The dining experience offered a range of options but could be inconsistent. Overall, a fascinating stay with some room for enhancement.
Rooms
7.0
The rooms, resembling 3 cells connected, were interesting overall but needed some touch-ups like cleaning windows and fixing small damages.
Service
7.0
The staff, especially Mary overseeing room supervision, were courteous and helpful despite language challenges.
Location
8.0
The hotel's central location was convenient for exploring Oxford landmarks, though some cleanliness issues were noted, including a dirty tissue in the windows.
Dining
6.0
The dining experience offered a variety of options, but there were some service lapses such as delays and missing items like milk and butter.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel offered typical facilities like room service, valet parking, and pet amenities.