The 9 Best Boutique Hotels in Oxford, England [2025]

Key Takeaways

• The Bear and Ragged Staff, located just 5 miles from Oxford’s city center, is set in a charming 400-year-old Tudor-style building known for its historic pub.
• The Ethos Hotel, set in a renovated Victorian townhouse in Oxford’s Grandpont area, offers a peaceful boutique stay near the River Thames and just a short walk from the city center.
• The Museum Hotel offers a high-tech boutique stay in a historic building dating back to 1594, just steps from Carfax Tower and the Museum of Oxford.

Oxford is a prestigious city in England, known primarily for its architecture and world-famous university dating back to the 12th century. The prevalent medieval buildings in the city center contribute to the long-lasting appeal of the city.

This sophisticated location includes a range of luxurious boutique hotels that appeal to all types of travelers.

The Best Boutique Hotels in Oxford

The Bear and Ragged Staff

Price: From $128 per night

The Bear and Ragged Staff can be found just outside Oxford, 5 miles from the city center, in a traditional stone building known primarily for its pub. The hotel offers a selection of quirky boutique rooms in a peaceful setting surrounded by the scenic Oxford countryside.

The Tudor-style building is over 400 years old and offers plenty of authentic charm to guests, as well as original features like natural stone fireplaces and wooden beam ceilings. There are also plenty of modern conveniences to ensure a fully comfortable stay.

The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi, on-site parking, dog-friendly rooms, and exquisite gastropub-style food. In addition, a new sustainable approach has led to the Bear and Ragged Staff eliminating all plastic bottles from the rooms and replacing them with refillable options.

Each room at the Bear and Ragged Staff features a flat-screen TV with Freeview channels, tea and coffee-making facilities, and highly comfortable beds.

Ethos Hotel

Price: From $195 per night

The charming Ethos Hotel can be found in a refurbished Victorian townhouse in Oxford’s Grandpont area, close to the River Thames and a short walk from the city center. This peaceful location provides a perfect boutique getaway that is still connected to the city.

The Ethos Hotel is also close to the South Oxford Adventure Playground, the Grandpont Nature Park, and Hinksey Park. This is an ideal setting for guests looking to enjoy the amazing nature in and around Oxford.

Located right next to the hotel, Caffè Ethos serves full English breakfast, mimosa-soaked brunch, lunch, dinner, and traditional afternoon tea. Accommodation options at the Ethos Hotel include classic king, deluxe super king, and signature super king rooms.

Each of them features an en-suite bathroom with Italian marble accents, a comfortable bed, a Raindance power shower, a heated towel rack, air conditioning, and a large flat-screen TV.

George Street Hotel

Price: From $184 per night

The George Street Hotel can be found opposite New Theater, close to Christ Church college and the train station. This location gives guests great access to some of the best dining and shopping options in Oxford.

Ideal for romantic getaways, the George Street Hotel offers attentive, personalized services to each guest. The staff is always on hand and ready to cater to every need. Some of the room options include a private terrace perfect for lounging and soaking up the Oxford atmosphere.

Each room includes an ultra-comfortable bed with a Hypnos mattress, a hairdryer, a minifridge, tea and coffee-making facilities, air conditioning and central heating, and a reading light. Each luxurious bathroom includes underfloor heating, deluxe toiletries from L’Occitane, a cozy walk-in shower, and a hairdryer.

The Head of the River

Price: From $172 per night

Known for being a traditional pub, The Head of the River can be found on the banks of the Thames. It offers an intimate and luxurious boutique experience with a selection of charming rooms.

The Head of the River is within walking distance of the Ashmolean Museum and the New Theater. The quirky interior design and the great views over the river make this a stand-out boutique location in Oxford.

The pub treats guests to an unforgettable breakfast and to a fine selection of ales. This pet-friendly hotel offers many comforts and amazing dining options right on the premises, at the south end of Oxford’s central area.

Each room at The Head of the River features air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with digital channels, a writing desk, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a radio.

Museum Hotel

Price: From $195 per night

The Museum Hotel is a high-tech boutique experience located in a building that dates back to 1594. The hotel is close to the Carfax Tower and the Museum of Oxford, as well as only a short, walk away from the train station.

Unique original features and smart technology are all on offer at the Museum Hotel, including full keyless entry and the lack of a traditional front desk. Attentive staff is always on hand, but this new boutique concept allows guests to be fully independent if they so wish. The hotel also provides 2 lounge areas, each with a professional coffee machine that makes delicious hot drinks at any time of day.

Accommodation options at the Museum Hotel include standard and superior double rooms, as well as an executive junior suite and an executive double deluxe room.

Old Bank Hotel

Price: From $326 per night

Located on Oxford’s upscale High Street, Old Bank Hotel can be found between several of the university’s colleges. This charming location hints at the luxurious boutique experience guests can find in this historic building.

The Old Bank is across the street from the Bodleian Library and the Radcliffe Camera. The on-site Quod Restaurant provides European classics made with fresh British ingredients. It also includes an Italian-style outdoor terrace that guests can enjoy when the weather is nice.

Most of the luxurious rooms at the Old Bank include amazing views over the incredible surroundings. There are various sizes of rooms available, from the small doubles to the sprawling suites. They each include air conditioning, a bespoke writing desk, tea and coffee-making facilities, and a Bluetooth DAB radio. Each bathroom features Carrara marble accents, underfloor heating, and designer toiletries from Noble Isle.

Old Parsonage Hotel

Price: From $303 per night

Old Parsonage Hotel is housed in a building that dates back to 1660. It is conveniently located close to the Ashmolean Museum, the Sheldonian Theater, and the Oxford University National History Museum.

This independently-owned hotel preserves much of the original charm of the building, seamlessly blended with plenty of modern luxuries. The hotel includes a curated collection of 20th-century portraits and opulent country house accents. The on-site Parsonage Grill serves British classics with a refined modern twist.

The elegant rooms at the Old Parsonage Hotel each include a bespoke leather writing desk, a complimentary bottle of mineral water, a garden terrace, and a walk-in rainfall shower. Each bed is a handmade Epoc model with premium Egyptian cotton linens. The minibar includes indulgent treats with local flavors.

The Porterhouse Grill and Rooms

Price: From $240 per night

The Porterhouse Grill and Rooms can be found in a traditional Edwardian building on Mill Street in Oxford. This central location gives guests easy access to the best landmarks in the city, as well as the best shops.

Known primarily as a trendy steakhouse, The Porterhouse Grill and Rooms features a selection of intimate, luxurious rooms. Only steps away from the train station, the property is in the heart of the city and surrounded by some of the most scenic areas in Oxford.

Each of the stylish rooms includes a Somnus king-size bed, a flat-screen TV with Freeview channels, a writing desk, and blackout curtains. A Tassimo coffee machine is also provided, along with fresh milk, still or sparkling water, and a selection of Canton tea. Every room also includes a smart bathroom with double showers.

The Vanbrugh House Hotel

Price: From $206 per night

The elegant The Vanbrugh House Hotel can be found in central Oxford in a refined townhouse that dates back to the 18th century. This stylish boutique experience is only minutes away from Oxford Castle and the Ashmolean Museum.

The heritage building makes each room’s size and shapes unique. At The Vanbrugh House Hotel, guests can enjoy a delicious breakfast before setting forth to explore the many delights that Oxford has to offer.

The quirky and character-filled spaces make a stay here a unique and memorable luxury experience. Each room at the hotel is named after a notable figure in the city’s long history. Rooms also feature a Nespresso coffee machine, safe tea-making facilities with a selection of Teapigs options, a smart TV, and a bathroom with a rainfall shower and designer toiletries by The White Company.

Final Thoughts

Visitors to Oxford will want to spend time exploring the amazing medieval landmark buildings and the university’s many scenic colleges. A trip down the river in one of Oxford’s iconic punts provides plenty of romance, while Oxford Castle draws the attention of history lovers with its Saxon tower and 900-year-old crypt.