Hotels in Oxford

[sykes]

Can anyone recommend a family friendly hotel in Oxfordshire? Would like as much luxury as possible and preferably a creche for a couple of hours. Thanks.

Sykes,

Oxford itself or outside/surrounding villages?

I really don't mind - either outside or in. Thanks.

sykes - The Bear in Woodstock is fantastic (about 20mins outside of Oxford), but they don't have a creche, so may be a no no for you.
DH took me for a treat after Christmas without dd, and it was fantastic, but it was obviously so family friendly, could've taken her after all. Lovely bar area (a few people in there with baby monitors on the table in front of them!), and a fair few children in the restaurant (which is rosette awarded). children actively welcomed

Sykes,
Give me an idea of the five (or more) most important criteria you'd like your hotel to match. Le Manoir Aux Quait Saisons springs to mind if someone else is paying. Can't speak from personal experience, but lots of friends have had 'house' guests who've stayed there and although I can't imagine it having a creche I would expect it to be child friendly. However, there are other excellent hotels around here with good things to recommend them if you haven't just won the lottery. How long will you be staying? Do you just want to take in the sights of Oxford or is it going to be a longer break, taking in Cotswolds etc?

We usually stay with friends in Oxford but one has just had a baby and we'll be staying two nights so would rather be in a hotel where we can be a bit more independent - the other couple we stay with are rather "dramatic" and I'd be exhausted. Would love Le Manoir but think probably too expensive. I'll investigate the bear. Important to me is a nice room/suite (I like a bit of luxury), things for the girls to do, babysitting and not too far from Oxford so we can visit friends. Have stayed at luxury family hotels before - think it's a chain of four - but they don't seem to have one in Oxford.

Sykes Try The Old Parsonage Hotel - 01865 310210 no pool but does offer babysitting and is walkable to city centre. Check re. parking though.

Forget the Randolph - my mum stayed there this Christmas and it's tatty and has bad service.

The Oxford Hotel is at the end of the Woodstock Road (city centre c. 3 miles). It looks like one of those hotels that cater for corporate functions, but it does have a pool etc. Don't know about babysitting - ask them to send a brochure - 489988. This would be my last choice as it's a bit too chainy for me.

Might be worth giving The Old Bank Hotel a ring on 799599. This was a former bank which was done up to quite a high standard about a year ago, so they're probably still keen as mustard. Bang in the city centre too. Would suit your luxury criteria but again you'd have to check on their child-friendliness.

Lastly, Studley Priory Hotel ((www.studleylodge.co.uk). This is a few miles out of Oxford if out of Oxford is what you want. We spent our wedding night there before heading off on honeymoon, so can't remember an awful lot about the finer details (winey haze) but it was very nice.

Good luck - post again if you've have need any specific info.

By the way, what did you think of the luxury family hotels? We stayed in the one in Bradford on Avon and were bitterly disappointed. Shabby, rank service and I couldn't forgive the owners of these four hotels for dumping a dog at each one to give it a cosy feeling.

Love the comment about dumping a dog. Must say my sister stayed at the Bradford on Avon and was distinctly unimpressed. We've stayed at the one in Suffolk/was it Norfolk and one in Somerset. Do agree that they're not amazing and normally try to go away as a couple as it seems a better bet. Would love to stay at The Soho House in the country - Babbington House? As it seems v luxurious, but at a price.
Thanks for all your help - I shall get on the phone.

Thanks v much - again. I have to choose between The Bear and The Old Parsonage - Studley Priory is full. I'm ridiculously indecisive - it's only one night now but get v fed up if I object to a place. It's a suite at The Old Parsonage/family room at The Bear - we've got a three-year old and a one-year old. Any ideas? Is either bar/restaurant better? Also, seeing friends one day but around and about the next day. I'd really appreciate any suggestions about fun things to do with the babies - well the three-year old. Preferably out doors but it may be wet, of course. Any any good places to have lunch.
Thanks very much.

sykes - I'm afraid you'll have to rely on Carla's info on this - just know The Bear was great for us, and we enjoyed the cosy bar (albeit small), and great restaurant, but can't measure it against The Old Parsonage as I've never been - hopefully Carla will give you some insight to help you choose. Good luck!

Thanks v much. Why am I so indecisive????

Sykes - I think I would go for the Parsonage. It is very much central Oxford, so everything is within easy walking distance ... loads of bookshops if that's your thing - a big, very child-friendly Borders for instance. Natural History museum - lots of dinosaur skeletons, if that's whatyou like. Open top bus tours. ... Have you checked about parking, because Oxford is dreadful for parking if you can't get it at the hotel?

Woodstock (the Bear) is gorgeous - I would actually go there, but that's because I used to live there and all my friends are there! Good food there, but not amazing, but haven't eaten at the Old Parsonage, so can't compare. There's a great swingpark at Woodstock, if the weather's fine, and of course Blenheim Great Park is amazing for walks. (The Palace won't be open this time of year, and train won't be running. But there is a cafe there, shop, butterfly house, etc.) Not a lot in Woodstock itself though if it's wet - it is quite small.

Well, not sure that has helped your decision at all! Let me know if you want any more info.

Don't forget that the Hall at Hogwarts was filmed in Christ Church, which might be worth a visit if you have any fans in the family, sadly the candles do not float, and the ceiling is not the sky! Magdalaine Deer park is nice, and the botanical gardens are a nice place for a picnic.

If you visit the University museum have a look at the skeleton of the giraffe- the tail is fake as the real tail was carried off by a dog. The don who managed to get hold of the skeleton left it to rot near the servants quarters in Christchurch. The servants got do fed up with the smell they threw it out, and before he could rescue it a dog ran away with the tail.

If you go t the University Museum do check to see whether the Pitt Rivers Museum is open (it's at the back). It's a fantastic place - full of scalps, shrunken heads, mummies etc. It looks like a victorian collector's broom cupboard

Yes the Pitt Rivers museum and the Ashmolean are worth a look. Also Christchurch Meadows where Alice in Wonderland was written. Also Jericho and Port Meadow where Jude the Obscure hung out.

The hall in Christ Church also has an 'Alice' window, which is rather nice. The collage does charge an enterance fee. There is also the catherdral and the picture gallery but I think that the latter has an extra fee, and I can't remember when it is open. I agree about the pit rivers, on of the best museums IMHO. The Sheldonian theater is worth a look as well, and the Bodlean library has some interesting exhibitions , but not likly to be of much interest to small children. Is the dodo still in the university museum?

Thanks v much again. The Old Parsonage couldn't do kids' food apart from crumpets and The Bear has a childrens' menu and has a family room so we've gone for that. The Old Parsonage does look gorgeous but am sure we'll have a good time.