Old Bank Hotel
Contemporary art-filled luxury in a Georgian banking hall. Smart and considered, not stuffy. The kind of place where the art on your bedroom wall has a provenance worth Googling.
Book a front-facing room or Superior Deluxe with Balcony to get views of the Radcliffe Camera — the rear rooms overlook Merton College instead, which is quieter but less iconic
Why It Matters
Listed in The Sunday Times Ultimate 100 British Hotels as 'the place to stay in Oxford'. The rooftop Room With The View — the only hotel room of its kind in Oxford — overlooks 75 listed buildings along the High Street. Quod Restaurant below it is genuinely Oxford's busiest and most enduring city-centre restaurant. The site's history stretches to 13th-century monastic ownership, with banking operations on the premises dating from 1775.
Three Georgian buildings on Oxford's High Street, converted from a Barclays bank branch into a five-star hotel in the late 1990s. Owner Jeremy Mogford packed the walls with serious contemporary British art — Damien Hirst, Sandra Blow, Craigie Aitchison — and the effect is more gallery than hotel corridor. The 43 rooms look either across the High Street toward the Radcliffe Camera and St Mary's Church, or back toward Merton College. Front-facing rooms are the ones to book.
Where You'll Stay
9 room types available
Accessible Room
From GBP285 / nightA Classic double room on the ground floor, fully adapted for wheelchair use. Overlooks the Italian garden terrace.
Double
Classic Room
From GBP285 / nightGood for couples and weekend escapes. Sumptuous double or twin beds with all the standard hotel amenities carefully considered. Same Carrara marble bathrooms and curated art as the rest of the hotel.
Double or Twin · 28 sqm
Deluxe
From GBP335 / nightLarger than Classics, with King beds and good natural light. Stylish and well-appointed — a solid mid-tier choice if you don't need the landmark views of a Superior Deluxe.
KingJunior Suite
From GBP615 / nightA characterful top-floor room with original exposed beams, looking out over the High Street. The beams give it a feel distinct from every other room in the building — older, more intimate.
KingSmall Double
From GBP250 / nightThe most compact option in the building, designed for solo travellers or those who want a short stay in one of Oxford's best addresses without paying full freight. Thoughtfully fitted out with the same standard amenities as larger rooms.
DoubleSuperior Deluxe
From GBP420 / nightA collection of rooms offering ample space and views across to Oxford's famous university landmarks — the Radcliffe Camera, All Souls, and St Mary's depending on floor and aspect. The sweet spot for most guests.
KingSuperior Deluxe with Balcony
From GBP500 / nightThe same Superior Deluxe spec, but with a private panoramic balcony sized for two — looking straight at the Radcliffe Camera, St Mary's Church, and Merton College Chapel. Genuinely worth the step-up in price.
KingThe Room With The View
From GBP1,500 / nightRoom 1 — the hotel's headline act. A rooftop bedroom and private terrace perched above the High Street with an uninterrupted 180-degree panorama: St Mary's spire, the dome of the Radcliffe Camera, All Souls' twin towers, and the sweep of the High from Carfax Tower to Queen's College. Press a button and the electric blinds rise. Tatler called it 'one of the best views you will ever see in your life.' At 58 sqm including the terrace (with dining table, sun loungers, and cocktail-making station), there's serious space to enjoy it. Separate cancellation terms apply — Room 1 is non-refundable.
King · 58 sqmThe Suite
From GBP750 / nightThe hotel's main suite, built for longer stays. Separate study, gas fireplace, and generous lounge seating area — proper room to spread out. The gas fireplace in particular makes this a strong winter booking.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Guests receive VIP passes to Bicester Village, unlocking access to The Apartment private suites, personal shoppers and stylists, hands-free shopping (purchases collected and packed), brand priority access, and a 10% saving at participating boutiques and restaurants. Must be reserved through hotel reception or the reservations team.
Private transfer from the hotel to Blenheim Palace — Oxford's only UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Winston Churchill. Country pursuits and tours available at the estate. Arrange through the hotel concierge.
Expertly guided walking tours tailored to different interests, taking guests through Oxford's colleges, chapels, and historic laneways. Arranged through the hotel.
Complimentary hotel bicycles available from the reception desk, no advance reservation needed. A good way to explore the city beyond walking distance.
An exclusive library for hotel residents — curated bookshelves in a quiet dedicated space away from the restaurant. Worth an hour between sightseeing.
Exclusively for guests in The Room With The View. A telescope can be set up to pick out detail along the 75 listed buildings framing the curve of Oxford's High Street.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Lift serving four floors.
Peloton Bike, yoga equipment, and weights. Complimentary for guests — bookable in 45-minute exclusive-use slots for up to two guests at a time. Reserve via pre-arrival email or at reception.
All en-suites feature Carrara marble cladding, underfloor heating, steam demisting mirrors, luxury bathrobes, and Wildsmith toiletries.
Available in select higher room categories. All rooms have tea and coffee facilities. Tea and coffee also available via 24-hour room service.
In every room. The Room With The View also includes Sky.
The Gallery (largest, up to 70 guests), The Boardroom (private meetings, up to 8), and Quod's Red Room. All adorned with the hotel's contemporary art collection.
4 electric car chargers in the car park. Charges apply via the Monta app. Guests advised to bring their own charging cables.
35 parking bays at the rear of the hotel, accessed via Magpie Lane off Merton Street. Includes 1 disabled space. Complimentary for hotel residents. Use satnav postcode OX1 4ES.
In-house laundry service; dry cleaning sent to Oxford professionals by 9:30am, returned by 10:00am the following morning. Pressing-only service £5 per item.
Reception team available round the clock. Can arrange airport transfers (chauffeur or taxi), restaurant bookings, guided tours, and Bicester Village VIP passes.
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