I stay at Oxford’s newest hotel
The Store has opened in the city’s historic former department store
It’s been touted as one of the hottest launches of the year and it’s a pleasure to visit a new hotel opening outside of London. The Store is the newest offering for Oxford, on the site of its historic Boswells department store, right in the centre of the city.
Boswells was one of the world’s oldest department stores, dating back to the 18th century and was a much-loved institution in the city. The hotel is very proud of the heritage, so it was somewhat disappointing to see they hadn’t kept much of it inside, bar some photos and references to the former site in its main restaurant, Treadwell.
You enter into a large bar at the front of the building, which is pretty, if a little confusing (the hotel foyer is to the left) and The Bar at the Store will be a popular place for locals and visitors, especially in the summer, with its al fresco seating.
As well as the main restaurant, the hotel has a fabulous rooftop space with panoramic bar and terrace, with wonderful views over the Dreaming Spires. This, too, will be super-popular and it’s a lovely spot for a cocktail.
There are 101 rooms in the hotel, with superior rooms and suites designed in a pretty way, with heritage detailing. If you can get a room with a terrace and view, they look lovely. We stayed in a fairly basic room, I have to admit, looking at a wall, with few frills and a modest bathroom with just a shower. Other room options have more amenities, it was a shame we didn’t experience them, because I was underwhelmed by our accommodation.
I was delighted to attend the hotel’s official opening party in May. The hotel had only just opened, with all new staff, of course, so it’s understandable it will take a few months to get into its groove and iron out teething troubles, such as haphazard service (our waiter dropped two trays of drinks, a corn on the cob off the dinner plate and confiscated my wine glass in the middle of the meal. Perhaps he thought I’d had enough). I also slept in a bizarrely lumpy bed, which left me lying in a dip, with my feet higher than my head. I believe it was because of a new mattress cover, but it was very strange and not something I have encountered before.
They might also want to rethink the breakfast set-up, which was the smallest continental breakfast I have ever seen, anywhere, with a few croissants in a corner, next to some pots of yoghurt, bread and a crate of fruit, plus the dreaded automatic coffee machines. You expect to find these in low-to-mid-range hotel chains, but not ones which are pitching themselves as five-star.
The breakfast – and the room, it has to be said - I stayed in recently at Novotel Blackfriars, was much better, just to put this in comparison.
The Store also has a nice underground spa with treatments from Oskia products, plus sauna, steam room and studio space and will be running a programme of yoga classes, sound baths and wellness experiences.
In conclusion, it’s a comfortable new boutique hotel space for the beautiful city of Oxford, with fabulous views, a great bar and wonderful rooftop. If you get the right room and the right waiter, you’d enjoy it. But it needs to up its game a little, if it wants to make the grade in such a learned city.
I was a guest of The Store
The Travel List
Verdict: 7/10
Price: Rooms from £285 a night including breakfast
For more information: thestoreoxford.com