We have stayed at the Old Bank many times over the years. This trip, we also considered the Randolph Hotel and the Old Parsonage. And had our eyes on the latest addition in The Oxford Collection, 36 St Giles. A two bedroom house managed by Old Pasonage.
The Old Bank opened as a hotel in 1999, but the building dates back to the late 18th century and has been everything from a bank to private residences. Its location on High Street puts you within walking distance of Oxford’s colleges, museums, and shops, which is part of why it stays in demand year-round.
We know it has parking at the back, a rare thing in Oxford. Getting through the gates from the side street, barely wider than a bicycle lane, can be tricky. This time we had a Volvo XC60, not exactly the perfect choice for the Cotswolds or Oxford’s narrow streets.
Add in tourists standing in the road, completely unaware of the ‘elephant’ coming towards them, too busy taking photos, and it becomes a slow-motion obstacle course.
The reception staff remain excellent and friendly, though the hotel itself is starting to show some wear and tear here and there.
Their restaurant, Quod, is large, with a terrace at the back. A lot of ground to cover for the staff. Unfortunately, it showed. They were understaffed, doing their best, but the warmth was missing.
The breakfast, lunch, and dinner are standard hotel food. Nothing bad, nothing that will excite you. But the water… yes, here we go again. They serve filtered tap water, but also bottled Blenheim. Fine, but why not chill it? Ours was as warm as the summer heat outside.
We had never stayed in the Room With the View before, but this time we managed to book it for two out of our four nights.
You have probably seen it on the hotel’s website or in their promotional shots. The room itself is not huge, but the terrace is a really decent size, complete with a fireplace. The view is grand.
What they do not show you in the pictures is the church directly opposite — the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. You can climb its tower for one of the best views over Oxford.
You can also, it turns out, look straight into the Room With the View. It took us ten minutes to realise a woman was waving at us. We waved back, then closed the curtains, privacy restored.
They took pictures of the room and the hotel — who could blame them? After 17:30, when the tower closes, it is safe to open the shades again. Worth knowing before you book.
We also stayed in Room 16 and Room 4, both Superior Deluxe. Comfortable beds. Room 4, on the second floor, was the best, and both overlooked the car park at the back.
Room 16
We recommend avoiding rooms facing High Street — between buses and police sirens, it is far from peaceful.
Even so, the Old Bank is probably still the best in town, helped by its excellent reception staff.
Cannot remember, 5+
4
Superior Deluxe & Room With the View
None except for natural booking arrangement.
Ok
85%
Menu to order
OK
Yes, but perhaps trying 36 St Giles.
Yes
