The 6 best hotels in Oxford for a stylish city stay

Affordable city-centre hotels with rooftop bars, spa facilities, and larger suites are difficult to find, but The Store provides these amenities. The hotel is set inside the former Boswells department store, which operated for nearly 300 years, blending heritage with modern design. Opened in summer 2024, it has become a convenient, no-fuss stay and a local destination for coffee, rooftop views, and a soothing spa. Rooms are comfortable and polished, with characterful details such as panelled walls, scalloped headboards, and linen curtains. The Balliol Suite includes a living area and a calm bathroom suited for long soaks. Treadwell serves as the foodie hub with a mural and a distinctive interior style.

"Affordable city-centre hotels are hard to find - even more hard when you add in stipulations like a rooftop bar, spa facilities and suites larger than a shoebox. But The Store manages to do all of the above, and more. Set inside the old Boswells department store (which was open for nearly 300 years), the hotel nods to its heritage while weaving in modern touches."

"Since opening in summer 2024, it's quickly become a seamless addition to the area, not only providing an easy, no-fuss stay, but also luring in locals with its cosy corners for coffees, romantic views from the roof and soothing spa. Rooms are in keeping with the rest of the hotel's style - comfortable, smart and polished."

"We stayed in the Balliol Suite (so named for the view of the college from the windows), a large double room with a snug living room area. Panelled walls, soft rugs, scalloped headboards and linen curtains added a touch of character to the space, while soothing neutral tones give the bathroom a calm vibe - perfect for long soaks in the freestanding tub."

"Guests can sit and enjoy a drink and nibbles in the main reception area, but Treadwell, towards the back of the hotel, is the hotel's foodie hub. Minimalist dark wood, exposed bulbs and teal-coloured banquettes are offset by a vast mural by artist Samme Snow, whose playful illustrations showcase the neighbourhood's best-loved characters and buildings, from friendly bakers and restaurateurs to imposing clock towers and old university colleges."

Read at CN Traveller