Vanbrugh House Hotel, Oxford - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Hotel

20-24 St Michaels Street, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 2EB

“The hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of Oxford.”view full review

Vanbrugh House Hotel, a Grade II listed building in central Oxford, features original delft tiling acknowledged by the Ashmolean Museum and occupies an 18th-century structure designed by English Baroque architect Sir John Vanbrugh.

Historic Room Features

The 22-room Vanbrugh House Hotel preserves unique architectural elements including creaky floorboards, narrow corridors, and period features. Each room showcases individual character with modern furnishings and calming color schemes.

Dining Options Available

The property offers a modern British Brasserie serving daily specials with professional service. Breakfast includes continental hampers delivered to guest rooms between 7am-10am.

Premium Room Amenities

Superior rooms feature The White Company toiletries, rainfall showers, and premier cotton bedding. The Vicarage Suite includes a four-poster bed, twin slipper baths, and private city garden.

Central Oxford Location

Located 10 minutes walk from Oxford Train Station and within 15 minutes of Oxford's center. The hotel sits 46.5 miles from Gloucestershire.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Standard Double Room Disability Access

Max:

2 persons

14 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Small Single Room

Max:

1 person

9 m²

Bed options:

1 Single bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Standard Double Room

Max:

2 persons

16 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Centre

Oxford300 m

Airports

Gloucestershire (GLO) 72.9 km

London Heathrow (LHR) 75.1 km

Train

Oxford Train Station800 m

Bus

Bus stop100 m

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Spacious and Cozy Room

“My stay at Vanbrugh was fantastic from start to finish. The room was spacious, toasty warm, and full of character. I appreciated the thoughtful amenities, including bottles of water, coffee pods, and cookies that were replenished daily.” view full review

Luxurious Bathroom Amenities

“The bathroom was spacious and featured quality toiletries that added a touch of luxury to my experience. It was well-maintained, ensuring a comfortable and refreshing space for my needs during the stay.” view full review

Comfy and Inviting Bed

“I found the bed in my room to be exceptionally comfortable, contributing to a great night's sleep. It was certainly one of the highlights of my stay, as it allowed me to rest well after exploring the city.” view full review

Excellent In-Room Entertainment

“The room offered a good selection of media options, including a television with various channels. It added to my overall comfort and was perfect for unwinding after a long day of sightseeing.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
No parking
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

In-room breakfast
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

Location

20-24 St Michaels Street, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 2EB

Map view

20-24 St Michaels Street, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 2EB

City landmarks

Museum

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

840 m

Museum

Pitt Rivers Museum

980 m

Landmark

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

650 m

Landmark

Bodleian Library

650 m

Botanical Garden

Oxford Botanic Garden

1.1 km

Landmark

Magdalen College Deer Park

1.1 km

Library

Radcliffe Camera

660 m

Landmark

New College

790 m

University

Merton College

800 m

University

The Queen's College

750 m

University

University of Oxford

750 m

University

St Peter-in-the-East

820 m

Nearby

Museum

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

350 m

Castle

Oxford Castle

460 m

Market

The Covered Market Oxford

310 m

Church

Christ Church

500 m

University

Bridge of Sighs

560 m

Tower

Carfax Tower

280 m

Museum

Museum of the History of Science

550 m

Museum

Museum of Oxford

340 m

Broad Street

Sheldonian Theatre

530 m

University

Balliol College

260 m

Church

Exeter College

240 m

University

Trinity College

390 m

University

St Peter's College

380 m

University

Brasenose College

590 m

Town Hall St. Aldates

Oxford Town Hall

340 m

Museum

The Story Museum

480 m

13 Magdalen Street

Martyrs' Memorial

460 m

Church

St Michael at the North Gate

470 m

Restaurants

Bill's Oxford

30 m

North Gate Hall Hall St. St. St. Michaels Street

Thaikhun Oxford

140 m

36 George Street

Bella Italia Oxford

190 m

14-16 George Street

Wig & Pen

200 m

9-13 George Street

The Handle Bar Cafe and Kitchen

40 m

28-32 St. Michaels Street

Chutney's

50 m

36 St. Michaels Street

Ask Italian

180 m

5 George Street

Society Cafe

40 m

12 - 16 St Michaels Street

Gourmet Burger Kitchen

160 m

29-31 George Street

Nosebag Restaurant Ltd

60 m

6 St. Michaels Street

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

60%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

6.0/10

Guest rating

Rooms

7.0

Location

9.8

Service

7.0

Dining

6.6

4.5/5 based on 963 reviews

#7 of 47 hotels in Oxford based on Tripadvisor

Isabella

United Kingdom, March 2025

5.2/10

I enjoyed my stay at Vanbrugh House Hotel, especially its central location and charming atmosphere. The staff were welcoming and attentive, adding a personal touch to my experience. However, the room size was a bit small, and I could hear some noise from neighboring rooms, which impacted my overall comfort.

Rooms

6.0

The room was cozy with good quality essentials. but a bit on the small side and could use better noise insulation.

Service

8.0

The staff were friendly and helpful from check-in to check-out, creating a warm and inviting environment. though there were moments I wished for more efficiency during busy times.

Location

10.0

I loved the hotel's prime location in the center of Oxford. making it easy to explore shops and landmarks without any hassle.

Dining

7.0

The breakfast options were decent, though I felt the cooked items could've been better. having said that, the delivered breakfast to the room was quite convenient.

Facilities

6.0

The complimentary snacks and drinks in my room were a good surprise. adding a special touch to my stay, although I noted some areas could use more attention to cleanliness.

Donald

United Kingdom, March 2025

6.4/10

My stay at the Vanbrugh House Hotel was a mix of great highlights and significant drawbacks. The location is perfect, right in the heart of Oxford, with easy access to key attractions. However, I was disappointed with the dining facilities and the service I received. The room I stayed in was nice, but issues with responsiveness from the staff really brought down the experience.

Rooms

8.0

The room was well-decorated and clean, featuring a comfortable bed and a lovely walk-in shower. It was quiet, allowing for a restful night.

Service

5.0

My experience with the staff was inconsistent. While I had friendly interactions at times, there were critical moments when the staff seemed unwilling to assist, especially during check-in and when my early breakfast arrangements were ignored.

Location

10.0

The location couldn't be better, right in the center of Oxford. It allowed me to easily explore shops and local landmarks, which was a big plus.

Dining

5.0

The dining room was quite cramped, and I was disappointed with the breakfast options, especially since I was told one thing and received another upon waking up. It felt more like an afterthought than a highlight.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel has some unique features but lacks a proper lounge or communal seating area, which made it feel less inviting for a longer stay.

Emily

United Kingdom, March 2025

6.8/10

My stay at Vanbrugh House Hotel was quite enjoyable, with the central location making it easy to explore Oxford. The staff provided a warm welcome, especially Natasha, who assisted with local recommendations. However, the room was unusually hot, and while the accommodations were charming, I did encounter some minor issues with room comfort that detracted from the experience.

Rooms

7.0

The room was cozy but overly warm at 26 degrees, which made sleep a bit uncomfortable despite keeping the window open. I loved the unique design and the high-quality bath products, but the lack of effective cooling was disappointing.

Service

10.0

The service was excellent overall, with friendly and helpful staff. Natasha went above and beyond to provide local insights and even arranged a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine for my daughter's birthday. This thoughtful touch made my stay nice.

Location

10.0

The central location was perfect, with easy access to shops, restaurants, and local attractions just a short walk away. Being so close to the train station was a huge plus for our travels.

Dining

8.0

Breakfast was good, featuring a variety of quality options. I particularly enjoyed the freshly cooked items, though I would have liked a wider selection of pastries and other treats.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel offered thoughtful amenities, including a complimentary mini bar stocked with snacks and drinks. However, I found it a bit lacking in air conditioning options, and some lighting in the room could be improved.

John

United Kingdom, January 2025

5.8/10

I enjoyed a lovely stay at the Vanbrugh House Hotel, with its charming decor and excellent location right in the heart of Oxford. However, the service was inconsistent; while some staff were welcoming and helpful, my experience with others left quite a bit to be desired. Despite some hiccups, I appreciated the comfortable room and the complimentary snack selections.

Rooms

8.0

My room was beautifully decorated and comfortable, though I found the lighting to be somewhat lacking. With the windows only single glazed, I could hear noise from outside, which made it hard for me to relax at times.

Service

5.0

While some of the staff were fantastic and went out of their way to assist me, I had a frustrating experience at check-in when the receptionist was rather unhelpful and dismissive about my pre-arranged accommodation.

Location

10.0

The hotel's location was perfect-central and convenient, which made it easy for me to walk to all the sights I wanted to see in the city.

Dining

6.0

Breakfast was a bit chaotic; I wasn't sure about the ordering procedure and ended up with a less-than-satisfying meal. While the dining area had its charm, I was disappointed with how the breakfast was managed.

Facilities

7.0

The hotel had some nice touches, like a mini fridge stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks, which added a special touch to the stay. However, the breakfast arrangements were confusing and not well communicated.

Steve

United Kingdom, November 2024

6.4/10

I enjoyed my stay at Vanbrugh House Hotel, especially the fantastic location that made it easy to explore Oxford. The staff were friendly and accommodating, and I appreciated the cleanliness and charm of the room. However, I found the lack of air conditioning troublesome, particularly during a warm spell, and the breakfast service could use some improvement due to occasional delays and pre-order requirements.

Rooms

6.0

The room was clean but a bit small, overlooking a lifeless courtyard. Despite the charming decor and comfortable bed, I found it a bit dark and poorly lit. Also, there were issues with squeaky beds and the window only opening a few inches.

Service

7.0

The staff were welcoming and attentive, especially when I requested champagne for a special occasion. However, I did encounter some inconsistency with service during breakfast, as there were delays and a lack of flexibility with orders.

Location

9.0

This hotel has a prime location in the center of Oxford. It's within walking distance of restaurants and popular attractions, making it convenient for exploring the city.

Dining

7.0

Breakfast was enjoyable, but it's worth noting that it sometimes relied on pre-orders and the quality varied. I had a good experience with room service, though.

Facilities

6.0

While the hotel has a cozy atmosphere, the lack of air conditioning in the rooms could be a downside, especially during hotter periods. The complimentary snacks and drinks were a nice touch, though.