The Old Bank

The Old Bank descritpion
Situated in the heart of historical Oxford, The Old Bank offers luxury rooms with marble bathrooms and modern art. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner in Quod brasserie with its terrace and bar.
The spacious rooms are air conditioned and elegantly decorated. Rooms also offer a TV, tea and coffee facilities, and ample work space. Many have original period features and views of the city.
Just steps away from Merton, All Souls and Oriel Colleges, The Old Bank is a 5-minute walk from the Botanic Garden. Magdalen Bridge and the River Cherwell can also be reached in 5 minutes, and Oxford Rail Station is a 15-minute walk away.
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The staff speaks English——The Old Bank's staff speaks:Polish,Latvian,French,Spanish,English
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Facilities of The Old Bank
Outdoors :Terrace
Pets :Pets are not allowed.
Activities :Cycling | Fitness Center | Massage | Bicycle Rental | Library
Food & Drink :Restaurant | Bar | Breakfast in the Room
Internet :Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking :Free!Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services :Room Service | Packed Lunches | 24-Hour Front Desk | Express Check-in/Check-out | Baggage Storage | Babysitting/Child Services | Laundry | Dry Cleaning | Ironing Service | Shoeshine | Meeting/Banquet Facilities | Fax/Photocopying
General :Newspapers | Safe | Non-smoking Rooms | Facilities for Disabled Guests | Elevator | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Languages Spoken :Polish | Latvian | French | Spanish | English
Reviews for The Old Bank
Review 1:Bed mattress was a little soft. Generally we would see a new, hard mattress as a sign of ongoing investment in the facilities.
Review 2:Location. Food at the bistro next door. Ability to park. Staff were excellent.
Review 3:We didn't know until checking out that there was a guests lounge. Would have preferred to have drinks in there than the noisy bar. Would have stayed longer and spent more. Maybe guests could be told on check in.
Review 4:Location and Car Park
Review 5:Bar one person, staff were unfriendly and unapologetic about problems. They didn't care whether we were there or not. They seem to have been trained not to apologise.
Review 6:Room was clean and parking was easy.
Review 7:Difficult to get to due to traffice restrictions in the centre of Oxford. No directions were provided by booking.com and we have probably got a fine as a result
Review 8:the staff and the ambience - very friendly, good food and brilliant art work
Review 9:Staff a bit too' full on' and ingratiating at times we prefer to just get on with it but others may like this style
Review 10:great location very comfortable staff very willing to help
Review 11:Waiting 40 mins to check in. Not having fresh milk in the room for tea. Tea cups not replaced one day and having to have them sent up. Not being told about the disc needed to exit the car park. Being told that the breakfast was included in the room rate. Not being called back regarding the i-phone 6 charger and i-pad charger that I left in the bedroom (that I had enquired about). Having nuts put on the table following a conversation with the waiter about my companion having a severe nut allergy.
Review 12:The art, the friendliness of the staff, the food, the location and view, the beds, the pillows, being charged for one breakfast less as an apology for the 'mis-understanding'.
Review 13:There is no better location for visiting Oxford University. The staff was exceedingly helpful, and the evident charm was perfect for the location. The prices are high (at least to an American), but you get what you pay for.
Review 14:The Old Bank is a wonderful hotel with great views and a central location. The rooms are beautifully decorated and the attention to detail excellent. The car park is a huge bonus. The restaurant the Quod is always busy with a fun atmosphere and serves good food.
Review 15:Extremely overpriced for what it offers. Some of the food in the restaurant is grotesquely overpriced. The customer service is not what it could be at all.
Review 16:Comfortable bed, quiet.
Review 17:Limited milk given for our hot drinks, but to be fair, we were offered a Jug of milk when We asked. A lovely hotel
Review 18:Location, food,atmosphere, news paperas delivered to the bedroom, comfortable bed
Review 19:Rather plain furnishings, fiddly light switches, two single beds pushed together
Review 20:Beautifully equipped room, walk-in shower and separate bath, wonderful staff, very good in-house dining, excellent location, historic building.
Review 21:Food was good , but not excellent . Tough steak final evening meal - did mention it , but nothing was done . Bedroom carpet needed replacing and for some reason had very wet patch below bed on my arrival day . Did not make a fuss as finding room with a view { which I had specifically asked for } had not been organised for me . My allocated room was at the back of the hotel .
Review 22:View from bedroom Convenience of hotel Lovely staff
Review 23:Only the weather.
Review 24:All staff we met were very courteous, friendly, and helpful. The fixed menu lunch in the restaurant was good value and well presented.
Review 25:Lack of drawers in my room made unpacking difficult, wardrobe had the minibar in it making the same problem.
Review 26:Staff was great, excellent location. Typically sized UK rooms but good sized bathroom.
Review 27:320 GBP (435EUR) / night without breakfast is a very high price for 12-13 sq.m. room! And it is not a palace!
Review 28:The position and the staff. Good cook.
Review 29:room too small esp if we have big luggages. i had to put a big luggage on the table, no luggage rack. wifi router kept blinging under the table when your pillow and head is facing it. so bad for the eye. too small a room with this charge.
Review 30:staff is nice. easy walking to the stores and the whereabouts. clean inside the room
Review 31:Nothing.
Review 32:Friendly helpful staff,squeaky clean beautifully appointed rooms and the best nights sleep ive had for a long time in a hotel.The food was excellent too!
Review 33:Breakfast was very bad, the bacon looked like it had been cooked a week before and service was slow considering it was not busy
Review 34:All the staff were very good
Review 35:wifi problems, staff did not respond with a solution. Very frustrating experience. One afternoon we wanted to sit in the library but were then essentially pushed out as they were setting up for a private event. Generally overpriced for the level of service and quality.
Review 36:great location
Review 37:We booked 3 rooms together and had requested to b close to each other, but it is obviously not. Too many stairs even in the same floor. Also curious on how the hotel select the room for each guess, as 1 of our group is american and only 1 person stay in the room, but had the room located on the front of the hotel and very near to the lift...whereas another 2 rooms were asia with young children had been selected on the back of hotel and very far from lift.
Review 38:An absolute great location. Outstanding personal service from the moment we walked in for check in until they assisted us with directions for check out!
Review 39:Very difficult to navigate a car to this locale, even with GPS. Very tight lanes to enter car park, as well- very difficult to maneuver car to turn into it.
Review 40:Interior is very clean and updated .
Review 41:For the price (expensive) breakfast should have been included. Housekeepkeeping was poor forgetting to deliver newspaper on second day of stay. Very few staff spoke English as their first language so communication was difficult. The second night we barely slept due to local colleges holding balls, not the hotels fault but a 10% discount or breakfast thrown in would have made up for a terrible nights sleep. I left feeling this hotel was in the business of maximizing profit not caring for the customer. A pity as a lovely hotel in a top location.
Review 42:Great location in the centre of Oxford. The rooms were very clean, free parking and bikes you could use at anytime.
Review 43:The room facing the inner courtyard was a bit noisy from people eating outside, but worse was the smoking as it rose up and as a none smoker this was very unpleasant as I usually like my window open. I was told there were no other rooms available to change to a view of the city. Fortunately at times it began to rain and everyone went indoors
Review 44:Loved the artwork, and the interior design of the hotel. Staff were very welcoming, food was very good, restaurant was lively and waiting staff attentive and friendly. Wonderful location. Beds were amazingly comfortable. Air con in the room was appreciated.
Review 45:There was nothing.
Review 46:The location is ideal. We had a view of one of the Oxford colleges buildings. It was amazing. The hotel is charming. The rooms are lovely. The staff are amazing. They took care of our every need and answered every inquiry. The restaurant attached was wonderful as well. They have bicycles to use and a free guided tour you can take as well. Our guide was Isabella and we loved her.
Review 47:Because it's an old building, there was no lift for suitcases to top floor (this can't be helped) Mattress and pillows much softer than our preference.
Review 48:Location can't be bettered, right on High Street. We had an excellent room (had asked for one with view) with clear view of "spires"! Attentive, pleasant young staff.
Review 49:This was our last stop on a two-week trip through the British countryside. The bathroom alone was worth the (hefty) price. The bar and restaurant were a lively mix of locals and travelers. Location cannot be beat.
Review 50:The quality of the mattress wasn't so great. The mattress felt like it had a big whole in the middle of it such that my wife and I had to sleep "reversed".
Review 51:Very central and within reach of everything. Was lovely to wake up and be so close to everything.
Review 52:The hotel is expensive, especially the breakfast, however I suspect that isore a reflection of Oxford prices. I didn't find my pillow very comfortable but my husband loved his!
Review 53:The bank hotel is in a fantastic central location in Oxford. The staff were friendly and helpful and the amenities were clean and comfortable. I loved all the little extras that they thought of such a short story book by the bedside and the Brandt guide to Oxford. I also liked the residents lounge with complimentary tea and coffee and the complimentary bicycles! The art work throughout the hotel was fantastic.
Review 54:Very basic room - a little worn. Therefore not good for value (paid £175/night without breakfast).
Review 55:The room was clean. Comfy bed. Friendly staff. Good location
Review 56:Weather didn't cooperate the first day.
Review 57:Staff was very friendly and the hotel offered a free walking tour and the free umbrella's came in handy.
Review 58:one chap serving in the restaurant, in contrast to everyone else was a bit off and disinterested.
Review 59:On early arrival a lovely reception girl was so helpful,we had on room early- plus extend one check out. A super waitress in the restaurant was just fantastic every time- she deserves a big mention. The beds are the most comfortable I have slept on in a hotel. Even my daughter remarked on them. Lovely room. Lovely snug room and library with coffee and teas you can use. great location. Nice courtyard to sit and eat in, if the weather is fine. The food is excellent, as is breakfast. Very comfortable -if a bit noisy as we faced onto the main road, but then we had a good view. Excellent stay.
Review 60:No swimming pool, Breakfast wasn't included.
Review 61:Lovely Hotel, felt at home. Staff were very friendly and made us feel relaxed. My 2yr old son loved the room, lots of space. Free car park at rear of hotel was so easy to access. Loved that the Quad restaurant that was next door. excellent.
Review 62:We had a suite as it was a special occasion which was very expensive for one night and did not include breakfast. There was no milk in the room for the tea making facilities, the phone did not work and there was a cigarette burn on one of the chairs which lowered the tone!
Review 63:The hotel is perfectly located to see the most of Oxford, it is in easy distance of shops, libraries and restaurants. The food was absolutely delicious and the staff were lovely. It was very well staffed so waiting for anything was minimal, would definitely stay here again.
Review 64:I thought the bathroom could do with a bit of TLC. The hotel is lovely but becoming a bit tired!
Review 65:Beautiful art in hotel, very central position - you can walk everywhere, free parking
Review 66:No criticisms at all
Review 67:Fresh milk on offer and I was offered a board under the bed when i explained why i was carrying back support cushions ! No hotel has offered a board or a change of room since the Davos Schweizerhof ages ago !
Review 68:Everything, staff were friendly and helpful. Location is perfect. We arrived much earlier than our check-in time an the hotel went out of their way to accommodate us, and we relaxed in the lovely Library lounge with free coffee and snacks while they got our room ready and took our luggage up to our room while we waited. The only little thing is that if you have a big car, it might be a little challenging gaining access and egress to the car park at the rear of the hotel.
Review 69:- swift and efficient service - position of the hotel is central and ideal - rooms are well equipped, not overly spacious but spotlessly clean and functional - nice atmosphere throughout and the multiple art pieces give it a very unique touch - breakfast has a limited but very good choice of fresh and high quality produce
Review 70:The Old Bank Hotel was superb, first class on all counts! Perfectly located, very comfortable and the staff could not have made my stay any more enjoyable. I ate in the hotel restaurant most of the time; the food was excellent, with a large menu and very helpful and friendly staff. Looking forward to my next visit already!
Review 71:I wanted somewhere special for that weekend and was happy to pay a little extra, but for almost £600 for two nights stay I really expected a lot more. The room facilities (tea/coffee etc) were just a bit lazy, the hairdryer was poor quality. There is nothing really wrong as such with the place, it's just very overpriced. If they knocked £75 off the price per night I think that would be about right.
Review 72:Nice atmosphere, great staff, good breakfast room service.
Review 73:Second visit, 1 leisure and 1 business - great location in the centre of Oxford, great service and a warm welcome from pleasant and efficient staff across all departments. Top quality restaurant on-site (Quod). Comfortable, clean and well-appointed bedrooms. Take advantage of the free guided walking tours - great way to get introduced to Oxford
Review 74:Short business trip, wish I had been informed about the Traffic regulations on the high street and how to find the car park, you could make it a lot easier
Review 75:Fantastic young lady on reception who booked me in and showed me to my room, she was 5*
Review 76:Very obliging staff. We had a problem with viewing an 'important' football match on the TV in our room. Staff arranged for us to view in the library bar - with refreshments - very much appreciated and a good solution sorted out very rapidly. Wonderful view of the city from our room. Like the fact that we could open a window for air rather than use air con.
Review 77:I was traveling with a colleague and had requested separated twin beds. They were pushed together when we arrived. The manager had emailed me about how I wanted the twins positioned right after booking, and i adked for them to be separated, but they weren't.
Review 78:Everything except the issue with the beds.
Review 79:we didn't like that the staff gave us a whole walk through of our hotel room. We could find the kettle just fine, and didn't need everything pointed out for us....
Review 80:the bed and bath was amazing....
Review 81:The location was perfect for us, the room we had was beautiful and cozy. The service was excellent. We also enjoyed the bar and restaurant. I would recommend this hotel to anyone.
Review 82:Breakfast wasn't very good value for money.
Review 83:City centre location, free parking, free wifi, comfy bed, very helpful staff, nice restaurant. Early evening supper (before 7pm) was good value for money.
Review 84:Nothing at all.
Review 85:The best thing besides the obvious great location etc is the staff. They are unusual and go out of their way to make sure every customer is happy. They catered to my needs as a family with small kids and never complained whenever we called to ask for anything. They always had a smile on and showed genuine interest. We will always return for this reason. Thanks guys
Review 86:The mattress was too soft for me, that's all I didn't like really, and I guess that's a question of taste, I prefer a firm mattress. The room was very comfortable however and the room cleanliness, linen, fittings and maid service excellent.
Review 87:the staff were exceptionally accommodating and helpful, the room was well appointed, with plenty of space and seating and with a beautiful view over St Mary's Church and Radcliffe Square. The restaurant was good and the food simple but generally flavoursome and with fresh ingredients. It is a five to ten minute walk from most things people want to see, and right opposite Radcliffe Square and the Bodleian, a short walk north of the square to the parks and the Pitt Rivers museum and a short walk south down Magpie Lane through the hotel to Christ Church Meadows. Ideal place to stay for a tourist visit. Well worth booking a second floor room overlooking the Square.
Review 88:Cost...
Review 89:Staff were polite and helpful. The room was nice and the location good. The breakfast and cost of that and the room a bit pricey but overall very nice.
Review 90:A few little things which I let the hotel know about but mainly noise during the night, possibly as my room near elevator, which woke me up several times during stay.
Review 91:Friendliness of staff Comfortable room and attractive surroundings Generous in-room coffee/tea/hot choc Generous bathroom shampoo/shower gel etc. Air conditioning Felt secure as lone female traveller Umbrella in room for use during stay Nicely stocked minibar in fridge with complimentary water
Review 92:Food in the restaurant wasn't as good as we expected for the venue and price we paid. Staff were friendly and helpful.
Review 93:Lovely hotel right in the centre of Oxford.
Review 94:perfect location, staff is very friendly and helpful, good restaurant. we travel with our 2-year-old son and we've had everything we need so it was really easy and nice.
Review 95:Excellent hotel in an excellent location right in the heart of Oxford. The staff could not be more friendlier and nothing was too much trouble. It is expensive but we stayed as a Birthday treat for my Husband so splashed out a little more than usual. I couldn't fault the hotel at all though and free parking. Be really careful of the traffic cameras for restricted access though. It's quite difficult to know where to go as we were totally new to Oxford and think we will get fined. I'd suggest mapping out which way to go before you set off if you're not familiar with Oxford. This is our own fault though and no reflection on the Hotel.
Review 96:The restaurant lacked the atmosphere that the rest of the hotel had, partly because the tables were so tightly packed together - no privacy at all and difficult to move around the room - a bit of a disappointment. But the food was well cooked and well presented.
Review 97:Central location, professional and pleasant staff, generous room size and lovely bathroom. Delicious breakfast, fast and professional service in the restaurant.
Review 98:We did not have breakfast included with our booking and felt that as it is an expensive hotel and we were staying for four nights perhaps some simple breakfast could have been provided. Instead we opted to go outside the hotel.
Review 99:Location was wonderful for visiting the colleges and walking around the town centre to soak in the atmosphere.
Review 100:Poor internet coverage (soe of the party just couldn't connect in their rooms); email mis-charging incident after checkout; solied bathrobe
Review 101:Decor, location, ease of and friendliness of staff
Review 102:Leaving for home
Review 103:The Brilliant Receptionists and Housekeeping Teams. Nothing too much trouble. Lovely Room Great bed and all the trimmings you could ever wish for. Brilliant Best Hotel in Oxford.
Review 104:Nothing
Review 105:I stayed the night before my wedding in central Oxford. I cannot praise the staff highly enough. We had a beautiful room with plenty of space for my daughter, my maid of honour and I to get ready. Every need was catered for; the staff steamed my wedding dress on the morning, and packed up the rest of my belongings for collection the next day after I was running late! Everything was done with charm and efficiency. I will be writing to the manager to congratulate the standard of hospitality. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I have never given 10/10, but I will now.
Review 106:The parking was a nightmare to find, although we were sent an email giving directions but we missed it as we didn't have email service while traveling. Our GPS had trouble finding it also. None of this is necessarily the fault of the hotel however.
Review 107:The staff were very congenial, from reception to Restaurant, we were made to feel welcome. The hotel is in an excellent location in the heart of Oxford's main street, within walking range of the cities shopping and places of interest.
Review 108:Too expensive. A very nice hotel but not exceptional. Have stayed in similar standard hotels for half the price. Also parking a real problem as need to enter a restricted zone to access the car park i.e. subject to fine and multiple fines if you miss the turning and need to re-enter.
Review 109:A very nice hotel - clean, comfortable and homely
Review 110:We enjoyed everything about our four night stay.
Review 111:The staff (management, reservations, reception, Quod restaurant, housekeeping) were unfailingly pleasant, courteous, helpful and professional which, we felt, really personalised our stay at the hotel. As well, we were enraptured by our location in the High Street in the very heart of this historic University town.
Review 112:leaving to move into a self catering B&B
Review 113:Truly wonderful staff- so warm wand helpful; stimulating and entertaining free guide of the city by Chris as an unexpected highlight; great restaurant we went to several times
Review 114:After ordering drinks Quod was a little slow in asking us what we wanted to eat. The fine room and views from the 4th floor was excellent but perhaps those less nimble ought to be warned that the lift expires on the 3rd floor
Review 115:Friendly helpful staff Buzzing Quod brasserie full of all ages Free all day tea and coffee Flexible parking after checkout and exceedingly helpful reception staff
Review 116:The location was right in the middle of Oxford so we could see beautiful Oxford on foot. The staff were very helpful and polite. The restaurant was where we were happy to eat lunch and dinner as it was relaxed, good value and delicious. Free parking was a bonus.
Review 117:Bacon for breakfast was so thin as to be only useful for getting between your teeth. Rest of breakfast was great. Hardly British breakfast!
Review 118:Great style and friendly hotel with excellent staff. Food well cooked and tasty. Wine good if a trifle expensive, but what you expect in the centre of Oxford.
Review 119:The tired look of the internal decoration, sloping floors. Breakfast was not included in the price.
Review 120:City centre location. Staff availability and hospitality. Room size. Free guided tour of Oxford.
Review 121:absolutely nothing
Review 122:1-Before we arrive to the hotel, while communicating with the staff by phone and email, we noticed a high standard of professionalism. 2-The hotel staff is beyond excellent. 3-The restaurant is excellent. 4-We were delighted... You will never know how much you will be impressed unless you visit this hotel. You learn the true value of hospitality and hotel management.
Review 123:Additional cost of breakfast which should have been included as in other hotels. We paid £15.50 each with our kids eating just a bowl of cereal each - very steep
Review 124:Location
Review 125:We were pleased with the hotel. We thought the food and drinks were very reasonably priced and the room was cosy, clean and comfortable. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. The location and car park was excellent.
Review 126:expensive breakfast- we ate out instead for half the price
Review 127:Central location of hotel within walking distance of colleges free parking later checkout of 11am
Review 128:Very small elevator - one of the few problems with fitting a 'modern' luxury hotel into a building made for a different purpose.
Review 129:Great location - both central in Oxford, and a short onward leg to Heathrow for home journey. Good directions provided (Oxford tricky to navigate). Parking (free) on site. Lovely old building fitting in very well. Restaurant looked great, but we ate elsewhere. Staff very friendly and helpful. Room large and comfortable, large bed.
Review 130:We had a nice stay - the rooms are small and the carpet and other parts of the hotel need a bit of refurbishment include the bathrooms but the bed was incredible comfortable, the staff lovely and the restaurant downstairs really nice. Location is great!
Review 131:We stayed in the disabled access room on the ground floor which was great except for the high noise levels in the Quod dining area outside. We are used to a lot of noise so it was not a problem for us but it might be for others. I did think it was rather expensive compared with comparable hotels I stay in frequently in Central London such as Club Quarters but on this occasion which was special for us it was not a problem
Review 132:We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Old Bank Hotel and would recommend it to others. The staff were very helpful and friendly and sorted out any problems promptly.
Review 133:Avoid the handicap room unless its the last option -- shower floor is flush with bathroom and hard to contain the water.
Review 134:The property and its location, the attached restaurant, the staff.
The Fine Print
Please note that 5 or more rooms booked by one person are considered to be a group booking. Group bookings are subject to a different cancellation policy which must be agreed with the hotel directly.Please be aware of traffic restrictions on the High Street between 7:30 and 6:30 pm, close to the front of the hotel. Please access the hotel parking lot via Merton Street and Magpie Lane and beware of driving on the High Street between these times. The hotel can be contacted for driving directions.