Old Parsonage Hotel is a charming, historic hotel located on Banbury Road in Oxford. Originally a college parsonage, this elegant property combines traditional architecture with modern amenities, offering a unique stay in the heart of the city. Guests can enjoy beautifully decorated rooms, some with original period features and luxurious furnishings. The hotel features a cozy lounge and an on-site restaurant that serves a seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients. With its proximity to top attractions like the University of Oxford and the Ashmolean Museum, the Old Parsonage Hotel is an ideal base for both leisure and business travelers.
What each source says
- Tripadvisor 4.5 1,032
- Google 4.5 594
- Priceline 4.6 550
- Expedia 4.7 540
- Michelin 4.9 14
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-26.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Charming Historic Atmosphere The property beautifully blends historic 17th-century character with modern, high-end amenities, offering guests a unique, cozy environment complete with tasteful artwork, a relaxing library, and a beautiful outdoor terrace.
- Convenient Reserved Parking Finding parking in Oxford is notoriously difficult, making the hotel's offer of pre-arranged, reserved parking spots a highly valued benefit that significantly relieves stress for guests arriving by car.
- Excellent On-site Dining The food quality is consistently praised across all meals, with guests highlighting the superb breakfast options, delicious dinners, and the delightful, relaxing experience of dining on the courtyard terrace.
- Exceptional Customer Service Guests consistently rave about the friendly, attentive, and professional staff who frequently go above and beyond to make stays feel special, including arranging tours and handling personal requests with care.
- Ideal Central Location The hotel is perfectly situated within walking distance of Oxford's major sights and city center, allowing for easy exploration while remaining tucked away in a relatively peaceful area.
Criticised
- Compact Room Sizes Several reviewers noted that many rooms are quite small or
- Lack of Lift and Accessibility As a historic property, the hotel features narrow, winding staircases and no elevator, which can make navigating to rooms difficult for guests with heavy luggage or limited physical mobility.
- Potential Noise Disruptions Some guests reported noise issues, ranging from loud church bells ringing nearby to sounds from busy staff entrances or street traffic, which can occasionally disrupt a quiet night's sleep.
- Premium Price for Value Many guests feel the room rates are quite high for the size and type of accommodation provided, leading to expectations of perfection that the hotel sometimes struggles to consistently meet.
- Unwelcome Service Charges Many guests expressed frustration with the automatic addition of service charges to the final bill, often describing it as an unexpected or
The longer read
The Old Parsonage Hotel in Oxford is widely celebrated for its unique historical charm, dating back to 1660, and its exceptionally attentive, warm, and professional staff. Guests frequently highlight that the personalized service—often noting staff by name—is a major differentiator that elevates the experience above standard luxury chains. The property is well-maintained and tastefully decorated with contemporary art, creating a sophisticated atmosphere. Its location is a significant benefit, situated within easy walking distance to the city center and major attractions, yet tucked away enough to provide a peaceful environment. The onsite parking, which can be reserved in advance, is frequently praised as a 'gold dust' amenity that solves a common logistical challenge for visitors to Oxford. Guests also enjoy the hotel's library and picturesque front courtyard, which provides a lovely setting for morning coffee or afternoon tea.
The accommodations are consistently described as spotlessly clean, comfortable, and well-appointed with quality linens and luxury toiletries. However, potential guests should be aware of the trade-offs that come with staying in a historic building. Many reviewers note that the property lacks a lift, and the layout involves steep, winding staircases and some narrow doorways that may be difficult for guests with limited mobility or large amounts of luggage. Additionally, while some guests appreciate the 'cozy' or 'bijou' nature of the rooms, others find them smaller than expected given the high price point. Light sleepers should be mindful that rooms facing the nearby church may be subject to bell ringing, and occasional noise from the restaurant or nearby street traffic can be heard in certain rooms.
Dining at the hotel is generally considered a highlight, with many guests recommending the onsite restaurant, the Parsonage Grill. The food is frequently described as high-quality, fresh, and delicious, with a breakfast service that is often cited as a standout. While the quality is rarely in dispute, some guests expressed frustration regarding the hotel's pricing structure, particularly the automatic inclusion of service charges or tips on bills, which some felt were unexpected or excessive given the already premium room rates. A few reviewers also noted that the breakfast service could occasionally feel understaffed or slow during busy periods. Despite these minor criticisms regarding value and accessibility, the consensus remains that the Old Parsonage offers a memorable, high-end, and characterful experience that is distinct from standard corporate hotels, making it an excellent choice for special occasions or travelers seeking a quintessential, upscale Oxford experience.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +441865310210
- Website
- oldparsonagehotel.co.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=local&utm_campaign=hotel-oldparsonage
- Check in
- 15:00 · out 11:00
| Mon | 7:00 - 23:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 7:00 - 23:00 |
| Wed | 7:00 - 23:00 |
| Thu | 7:00 - 23:00 |
| Fri | 7:00 - 23:00 |
| Sat | 7:00 - 23:00 |
| Sun | 7:00 - 23:00 |
Facilities
- 24 Hours
- Accessible
- Activities
- Air Conditioning
- Babysitting
- Baggage Storage
- Bar
- Bath Shower
- Bathrobes
- Bicycle
- Blackout Curtains
- Bottled Water
- Clothes Rack
- Complimentary Instant Coffee
- Complimentary Tea
- Complimentary Toiletries
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.6 against a median of 4.2 across the 61 venues we hold for Oxford, where the most-reviewed is easyHotel Oxford.
Booking
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- What makes the Old Parsonage Hotel unique in terms of its history and atmosphere?
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.