Vanbrugh House Hotel | 18th-Century Boutique in Oxford * From $187

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Vanbrugh House Hotel Oxford Exterior photo

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Key details

About the Hotel

20 - 24 St Michael'S Street, Oxford, OX1 2EB

Close to the University of Oxford

Very good

7.7

8.4

/10

4.3

4.0

Loved by Vanbrugh House Hotel guests

Cute staff

Comfy chairs

Good bathrooms

Superb location

Modern rainfall shower

Continental breakfasts

"Situated right in the city centre within walking distance of everything. Yet it's down a very quiet side street."

Jane from United Kingdom

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"The room is large for an European hotel, we had a very spacious bathroom with 2 tubs, lots of hot water and an outdoor space just for us."

Ermelinda

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"The room was very well equipped, clean, good bed, warm and bathroom was immaculate."

Liesl P from United Kingdom

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4-star boutique hotel in central Oxford with unique historic design

Accommodations

Vanbrugh House Hotel offers 22 individually designed rooms, each with distinct character and charm. Every room is named after a historical figure or significant location related to Oxford, featuring original design elements. Guests can expect handcrafted English furniture, soft cotton bedding, and personal stories displayed on the walls.

Dining Options

The hotel offers a delightful Breakfast Hamper service filled with a selection of continental items, allowing guests to enjoy meals in the comfort of their rooms. Breakfast items include cured meats, creamy cheeses, and fresh pastries, complemented by freshly brewed coffee or tea. This convenient service enhances the in-room experience.

Location

Located just moments from major attractions, Vanbrugh House Hotel is within walking distance to Christ Church College, the Bodleian Library, and the Oxford Union. The hotel is situated behind Oxford's main street, providing easy access to the city's charms without the bustle. Guests can explore the covered market and beautiful parks nearby.

Special Packages

Vanbrugh House Hotel provides several special packages, including a Celebrations Package for events and a Bride & Bridal Party Package for wedding preparations. These offerings come with features such as a red carpet welcome, VIP areas, and pamper boxes for the couple. Each package is designed to enhance the celebration experience in one of Oxford's most iconic settings.

Historical Significance

The hotel is housed in a Grade-II listed building, dating back to the 18th century, which showcases original architectural features. Notable elements include beautiful delft tiling and wood paneling that reflect the building's rich history. Vanbrugh House Hotel adds historical depth to every guest's stay.

Highlights

Location: Major attractions within walking distance

Accommodations: 22 uniquely designed rooms

Dining: Breakfast Hamper service

Special Packages: Celebrations Package and Bride & Bridal Party Package

Must-do experiences

Stroll through Christ Church Meadow for stunning riverside views.
Visit the Ashmolean Museum for world-class art and archaeology.
Enjoy a hearty lunch at The Eagle and Child, frequented by Tolkien.
Discover the hidden gem of the Pitt Rivers Museum's quirky collection.
Explore the Covered Market for local produce and artisan foods.

Choose the Room

From cosy doubles to spacious family suites – all with flexible options, breakfast, and exclusive deals.

Standard Double Room Disability Access
2 persons
14 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Heating
Coffee machine
room details
Small Single Room
2 persons
9 sq. feet
1 Single bed
Heating
Coffee machine
room details
Standard Double Room
2 persons
16 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Heating
Coffee machine
room details

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Check Dates & Room Rates

See what's available for your travel dates

August 2026 - August 2027

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Check-in/ Check-out

Amenities

Thoughtfully designed amenities for a comfortable & memorable stay

Facilities: Very good

7.6/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
VIP check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key access

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Housekeeping
Tours/Ticket assistance
Welcome drink

Dining

Outdoor dining area

Business

Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled
Bathroom for disabled

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Patio
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries
Sink

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Vanbrugh House Hotel Location

20 - 24 St Michael'S Street, Oxford, OX1 2EB

Explore Oxford

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

5 minutes' walk

The world's first university museum showcases art and artifacts spanning centuries, with free admission and special exhibits.

Oxford Castle

6 minutes' walk

A historic castle dating back to the 11th century, offering guided tours and experiences of its fascinating past.

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

11 minutes' walk

Features an impressive collection of natural history specimens, perfect for families and educational visits.

Pitt Rivers Museum

12 minutes' walk

Home to a remarkable collection of ethnographic artifacts, this museum offers insights into cultures worldwide.

Christ Church Meadow Walk

9 minutes' walk

A scenic walking route offering beautiful views and a tranquil experience. Perfect for a relaxing excursion.

Cycling at University Parks

10 minutes' walk

Biking trails and green spaces await at University Parks, an ideal spot for exercise and enjoying nature.

Bill's Oxford

1 minute' walk

A cozy spot featuring seasonal dishes and a vibrant atmosphere; ideal for breakfast or lunch. Reservations recommended.

Bella Italia Oxford

3 minutes' walk

Classic Italian cuisine in a family-friendly setting with delectable pasta and pizza options. Vegetarian-friendly.

Thaikhun Oxford

2 minutes' walk

Authentic Thai street food served in a casual setting; try their famous Pad Thai. Ideal for casual dining.

The Old Fire Station

10 minutes' walk

A cultural hub featuring live performances, art exhibitions, and community events; a great spot for nightlife.

Odeon Cinema

10 minutes' walk

Showcases the latest films in a comfortable environment, perfect for families or a night out with friends.

Getting around

City Centre
Oxford 4 min · 1000 ft
Airports
Gloucestershire (GLO) 111 min · 45.8 mi
London Heathrow (LHR) 118 min · 48.7 mi
Train
Oxford Train Station 10 min · 2700 ft
Bus
Bus stop 2 min · 400 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Guest Parking

No parking available.

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Breakfast

The hotel offers a full breakfast at the price of GBP20 per person per day.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Number of rooms:

Guest Ratings & Reviews

Real Guest Experiences & Ratings

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The Vanbrugh House Hotel enjoys a fantastic location close to Oxford's shops, restaurants, and the Westgate shopping centre, making city sights easily accessible. Guests appreciate the spacious rooms and comfortable beds, with suites offering particularly large bathrooms that some found to be as big as the bedrooms and well-equipped with features such as bathtubs and televisions. While some guests have noted that rooms can get warm, a fan is typically provided, and overall, many find it to be good value for money.

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Review score

Based on 851 verified reviews

7.7 /10

Very good

73 %

Recommend

Location

9.5/10

Free WiFi

9.1/10

Value for money

7.1/10

Facilities

7.6/10

Pros

Good location

Friendly staff

Private patio

Cons

Noise issues

Breakfast refusal

Decoration issues

based on 963 reviews

4.5/5

Camila from Brazil

Single

Standard Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 03, 2026

6/10

location, location... and that's about it

hard beam terrible water pressure

the location was great, smack dab in the center. can't argue with that.

the room they gave me? was like a closet they forgot to renovate. the pictures online looked nothing like it, and there was a weird hard beam on the side of the bed. plus, the water pressure in the bathroom was a joke. smart tv, sure, but the bandwidth barely managed netflix, so what's the point really?

0 Helpful

kevin from united kingdom

Single

superior double room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 12, 2025

9/10

charming and convenient

kind staff central location spacious room

i found the staff kind and helpful, i also liked the location. it was very central. the room was quite spacious. the complimentary breakfast was a very nice touch. it was delivered right to my room.

the mattress was a bit too firm for my taste.

Rooms

9/10

the superior double room was well appointed. it included robes and slippers and a television with access to netflix. the bathroom seemed spacious, it had a separate shower and bath, i found it charming.

0 Helpful

Olivia from United Kingdom

Couple

Superior Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 12, 2025

8.5/10

Central Stay with Great Service

helpful staff luggage storage spacious bathroom

The staff was very helpful and kind. I was able to leave my luggage before check-in (this saved a lot of hassle). The room had complimentary tea and coffee facilities, a very nice touch. The bathroom was spacious.

The room I had was a little dark with not much natural light.

Location

9/10

The hotel is situated in a very central location, providing easy access to many attractions. The area around the hotel is also very quiet, and many food options are available nearby.

Facilities

8/10

Breakfast comes directly to the room (very convenient). Complimentary items like slippers, cookies, and hot chocolate are provided. The staff also offered to store some food items in their fridge, which i thought was so helpful.

0 Helpful

Jennifer L from United Kingdom

Single

Superior Double Room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 08, 2025

8.5/10

Excellent Central Stay

central location helpful staff coffee machine extra heater

The location was excellent. Everything was within walking distance. The staff was helpful. I appreciated having a coffee machine in my room. I also found extra amenities like an iron, ironing board, water, and an extra heater very convenient.

The sound proofing was not so good

Rooms

9/10

The room had tasteful decoration. cool and quiet ambiance. The bathroom was beautiful, with ample space. It contained all necessary amenities.

Facilities

8/10

The hotel is situated in a very quiet area, near many different food options. The hotel had a B&B vibe with friendly staff. Community coffee shops are located next door offering amazing teas.

0 Helpful

Penelope from Greece

Single

standard double room

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: November 27, 2025

6/10

the staff was helpful that was acceptable

the room lacked air conditioning it became uncomfortable during the warmer hours of the day i think a proper ac system would be much better than a fan

0 Helpful

liam from ireland

Single

standard double room

3 nights in October 2025

Reviewed: November 13, 2025

8.7/10

central stay

period architecture perfect location helpful staff

i found the building's period architecture quite charming. the location was indeed perfect, very central. the staff were helpful giving directions and bus information. they allowed me to leave my bags before my room was prepared.

the room was quite small, barely offering space to walk around the bed.

Service

9/10

the staff assisted with luggage and provided helpful information. the reception area served partially as a lounge. staff promptly addressed requests and offered solutions.

Dining

8/10

breakfast arrived in a basket directly to my room, that was very convenient. the breakfast was minimal. i ordered breakfast the night before for delivery the next morning.

Rooms

9/10

my room was very super clean and cozy. the room included heating. several small amenities were provided like slippers and cookies. the staff also helped me carry my luggage, there being no lift.

0 Helpful

Scarlett from United Kingdom

Couple

Superior Double Room

3 nights in August 2025

Reviewed: October 10, 2025

9/10

helpful staff double tubs nice patio

the staff was really helpful i loved the double tubs also i liked the patio

the windows were old

0 Helpful

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Questions of the users

About Vanbrugh House Hotel

How far is the nearest car park from the hotel, and what are the parking fees?

10 January 2024

The nearest public parking is at Worcester Car Park, which is approximately a 5-minute walk from the venue, costing £35 for a 24-hour period.

In case of a government lockdown impacting travel plans, would refunds be available for non-refundable bookings?

15 February 2024

Yes, if the hotel is forced to close due to government restrictions, refunds will be provided for reservations made during the closure period.

Are there gluten-free meal options available at the hotel?

20 March 2024

Yes, the hotel offers gluten-free pastries and cereals for guests with dietary restrictions.

What are the options for disabled parking nearby?

25 April 2024

There are council-operated disabled parking bays outside the hotel, although their availability is not guaranteed. The nearest pay-and-display parking is at Worcester Street Car Park.

Does the hotel offer any facilities for securely storing bicycles?

30 May 2024

Unfortunately, there are no facilities for secure bike storage at the hotel premises.

Is a lift available in the hotel for accessibility?

05 June 2024

The hotel does not have a lift, so guests will need to use stairs to access their rooms.

Is there a late check-out option and what are the fees?

12 July 2024

A late check-out might be available, depending on occupancy levels. Additional charges may apply, typically around £20 per extra hour.

Can guests request a travel cot for their infants during their stay?

18 August 2024

Yes, travel cots are available upon request, and there is enough room for them in the standard accommodating settings.

What types of breakfast are offered at the hotel?

22 September 2024

Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast served as a hamper, with options delivered directly to their room between 07:00 and 10:00 daily.

What attractions are easily accessible from the hotel?

30 October 2024

The hotel is conveniently located near many attractions, including Christ Church, the Botanic Garden, and the Bodleian Library, all within walking distance.