voco - Oxford Spires

Really attractive hotel in its own grounds, a short ride away from Oxford city centre which would be walkable too. Outdoor seating area was nice in the sunshine. Complimentary WiFi was useful with signal struggles indoors. Good choice of breakfast buffet items, the host greeting guests was a character! We used the spa (pool, sauna, jacuzzi) in the morning too. The parking screen inside meant no surcharges. Can recommend.

2 months ago · via Google

Lovely hotel with pleasant staff and beautiful surroundings. The hotel is well positioned, with a short and scenic walk into Oxford along the riverside path. From our room, we were delighted to see horses, geese, pheasants and deer, which made the stay feel even more special. We visited as part of a half-board package for two nights, and it seemed many other guests were taking advantage of the same offer. The room itself was lovely, with a huge and comfortable bed, a sofa for relaxing, and even a fridge, although it didn’t get very cold. We both commented on how good the shower was. There were two aspects of our stay that were slightly disappointing. Firstly, while the food was beautifully prepared, there was very little variety on the set menu included in the package. There were only five main courses available, two of which required supplements of £10 and £20 respectively. As a vegetarian, my options were limited to one starter and one main course, although the main contained Parmesan, which is not suitable for vegetarians. On one evening, I also had to return my dish as it was garnished with Parmesan despite my request for it to be omitted. As we stayed for two nights, I unfortunately ended up having the same meal both evenings. This felt like an oversight. The second disappointment was the spa. We booked this hotel specifically for a relaxing break and intended to make full use of the spa facilities and treatments. A week before our stay, I called to check treatment availability and was advised that it would be fine to book on arrival. Imagine my disappointment, therefore, when there was no availability during our stay. The receptionist’s response felt rather short dismissive and offered little reassurance. It later transpired that a planned electrical shutdown during our stay affected the spa facilities, and guests could instead use the nearby sister hotel. Had I been informed of this when I called, or indeed when I enquired on arrival, I could have arranged treatments there in advance. As a result, what was intended to be a relaxing spa break became more of a sightseeing trip than we had planned. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the hotel and would recommend it. I hope the management can take this feedback constructively, as a few improvements could make the experience even better for future guests.

2 months ago · via Google

Considering the price, we expected a much better experience. The spa receptionist was unhelpful, and it was disappointing to find children using the pool on what was supposed to be a relaxing spa day. The changing rooms were small and dirty, with many lockers out of order and no clear signage. Our belongings got stuck in a locker, leaving us waiting in wet swimwear for assistance. The smooth tiled floors are very slippery and I nearly slipped multiple times. We received very little information beforehand and were only told after our massage that we shouldn’t use the sauna or steam room for 2 hours after. Had we known, we would have booked our treatments for the end of the spa day. The stars given are for the staff member who booked us in, who was lovely, and because both treatments were excellent.

3 weeks ago · via Google

Spectacular Inn, close to river walk. Outstanding atmosphere and over the top service. Stayed for two days and will be excited to be here again at the next opportunity. Breakfast is perfect balance for EVERYTHING! Not sure that truly counts as balance, but it is brilliant. View of the horses in the extended backyard, top outdoor seating area with, in my opinion, Mediterranean flair. There is always good weather! (n=2, no error).

2 months ago · via Google