The Store is a luxury hotel situated in the heart of Oxford, housed within the historic Boswells department store. The hotel features 101 rooms that blend heritage character with modern comfort, including velvet headboards, king-size beds, generous bathrooms, and curated artworks. Guests can dine at Treadwell restaurant, which showcases locally sourced produce with flavors shaped by the city's diverse influences. The ground-floor bar overlooks Broad Street, while the rooftop bar and terrace offer panoramic views of Oxford's "dreaming spires." The walnut-paneled spa provides a calm counterpoint to the energy above, with treatment rooms, steam room, sauna, relaxation space, and gym, alongside therapies from British brands OSKIA and Verden.
What each source says
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
- Exceptional Staff Service Guests frequently highlight the staff as a standout feature, describing them as warm, professional, attentive, and consistently willing to go above and beyond to ensure a memorable stay.
- High-Quality In-Room Comforts Guests appreciate the thoughtful touches in the modern rooms, such as complimentary minibars, high-end bathroom amenities, and comfortable beds, contributing to a cozy and inviting stay.
- Impressive Rooftop Amenities The rooftop bar is highly recommended by guests for its spectacular views of the Oxford skyline, offering a unique atmosphere for drinks despite varying seasonal opening hours.
- Stunning Modern Decor The property features beautiful, stylish, and high-quality contemporary design throughout the building and rooms, successfully blending the history of the former department store with modern comforts.
- Unbeatable Central Location Situated in the heart of Oxford, this hotel provides effortless walking access to historical sites, major museums, the university, and extensive shopping, making it an ideal base for exploring the city.
Criticised
- Confined Room Sizes Several guests report that some room categories, particularly those in the basement or deluxe tiers, are surprisingly small and cramped, often lacking space for luggage or basic furniture like chairs.
- Inconvenient Spa and Bar Logistics Access to the spa requires booking in advance with limited slots, and the rooftop bar experiences capacity issues and limited hours, which can frustrate guests looking to enjoy these amenities.
- Lack of On-Site Parking Due to its pedestrian-only central location, the hotel offers no parking facilities, requiring guests to arrange alternative transit or use expensive public car parks located outside the city center.
- Limited Room Storage Multiple reviewers note that the rooms, while stylish, lack functional storage space, specifically missing drawers or proper closets to unpack and organize clothing during longer stays.
- Underwhelming Breakfast Experience Many guests find the breakfast offerings limited in variety, subpar in quality, and inconsistent with the price point, often comparing it unfavorably to other hotels of a similar caliber.
The longer read
The Store in Oxford stands out primarily for its unbeatable central location, situated in the heart of the city, making it an ideal base for exploring historical sites, universities, and shopping districts. Guests consistently praise the hotel’s aesthetic, noting that the building—a former department store—has been beautifully and sympathetically restored. The design is modern, sleek, and high-end, often featuring clever nods to the building's retail history. The rooftop bar is a frequently highlighted amenity, lauded for its stunning, panoramic views of the Oxford skyline, though guests should be aware that it can be subject to capacity limits and limited opening hours depending on the season and day of the week. The staff are frequently described as a major asset; numerous reviewers single out the team for being welcoming, professional, and genuinely attentive, often going above and beyond to personalize stays for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
While the public areas and service receive high marks, the guest rooms elicit mixed feedback, primarily concerning size and utility. Many guests describe the rooms as compact, sometimes smaller than expected for the price point of a five-star property. While the decor is chic and modern, some travelers have pointed out practical oversights, such as a lack of storage space for clothing—specifically chest of drawers—and insufficient hooks in bathrooms. A subset of guests mentioned specific room configurations, particularly basement rooms, which may offer less natural light and privacy. Additionally, while the beds are generally considered comfortable, there are inconsistent reports regarding pillow quality and thermostat control, as the climate control is centrally managed, which some travelers find frustrating during colder months.
Dining experiences at The Store are somewhat polarizing. Breakfast, in particular, draws criticism from several frequent travelers who find the selection limited and the quality inconsistent when compared to other hotels of a similar caliber; some guests reported unappealing options or slow service. While some visitors enjoyed the food, others felt that for the price, the breakfast and overall restaurant pricing did not offer sufficient value. Furthermore, the spa facilities are well-regarded for quality, but the booking process can be a point of friction, as guests are required to reserve slots in advance, a detail that is not always clearly communicated. This can lead to disappointment for those expecting open access to the thermal suite.
Lastly, practical considerations are vital for prospective guests. The hotel is located in a pedestrianized zone, meaning vehicular access is limited; guests arriving by car must plan for parking elsewhere in the city, as there is no onsite parking available. Travelers should also be aware that, due to the city's historic nature and the hotel's structure, soundproofing can be inconsistent in certain areas, with some noise reported from corridors or neighboring rooms. Despite these logistical hurdles, the overwhelming sentiment remains that The Store provides a memorable, high-service, and stylish experience that successfully captures the spirit of central Oxford.
A synthesis of published third-party reviews. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- +44 1865 950 666
- Website
- thestoreoxford.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=google_my_business&utm_campaign=local
- Check in
- 15:00 · out 11:00
Facilities
- 24 Hours
- Accessible
- Activities
- Air Conditioning
- Allergy Free Room
- Bar
- Cafe
- Family Rooms
- Gym
- Heating
- Housekeeping
- Internet
- Ironing
- Laundry
- Non Smoking Rooms
- Outdoor Furniture
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.4 against a median of 4.2 across the 61 venues we hold for Oxford, where the most-reviewed is easyHotel Oxford.
Booking
Still deciding?
- What types of rooms does The Store offer and what amenities do they include?
- Does The Store provide complimentary breakfast, and what is typically served?
- How far is The Store from major Oxford landmarks and points of interest?
- What kind of atmosphere or style can guests expect at The Store in Oxford?
- Does The Store offer guest parking and are there any additional charges for it?
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.