Hotels near Bicester Heritage, Cherwell

We were on holiday in Spain when we heard our house had been flooded. Knowing we had a late flight back we didn’t want to turn up at our house in the dark with flood damage. We therefore chose to book into the Travel Lodge at Cherwell Valley Services as it was very close. Following a flight delay we arrived to check in at 0200 hrs. We were given the keys to room 243. When we went into the room we were horrified by what we saw. The mattress was bare and looked disgusting, the sheets were screwed up and thrown in a corner. There was food and rubbish on the floor. The bath and toilet were dirty. We immediately went back to reception and showed the night receptionist photos of the room. He couldn’t apologise enough. He then took us to another room, 269. As he opened the door there was a stench of fish. The room was as dirty and horrible as the previous one but added to that the bathroom door was off its hinges and leant against a wall. I have never seen anything so filthy. The receptionist looked shocked. We told him we wanted to leave. We wanted our money back. We felt we would be better going back to our flood damaged house than staying here. The receptionist begged us to stay and took two sets of keys to look at other rooms. He came back and didn’t even offer to show us which says a lot I think. An email was sent to Travel Lodge the following morning and I got a response saying as a ‘gesture of goodwill’ they would refund my money. That is an awful response as that would be the absolute minimum response. Won’t be staying with Travel Lodge anytime soon.

The room is spacious, bright, elegant, quiet, service, warm and thoughtful facilities

We stayed for two evenings in May to visit Blenheim palace. We had two rooms, both superior, one on the first floor of the pub and one leading out to the front. Both rooms were beautiful; the one outside had very low ceilings and beams (ok for us as we’re not tall), with a big clawfoot bath and a walk in wardrobe. It also had the most stunning fireplace that backs on to the one in the pub. The other room had a huge 6ft bed and a very big walk in shower. Both were incredibly comfortable and we slept well both nights. We ate at the pub both evenings; the first night a young chap was managing the restaurant, he and the team did a phenomenal job. The service and the food was superb. He second evening we shared the steak (we had two between the four of us) and it was amazing. Again the food and service was fabulous. On the Saturday we were the only ones eating breakfast, the service was prompt and the food delicious. However the breakfast on the Sunday was an absolute disaster; the chap who seated us (I didn’t catch his name but he had an overseas accent) took our order and then we waited…. We waited and waited as he seated others, took their orders and their breakfasts came while we waited. The room wasn’t full, there were about 5 other tables seated (and he walked past us several times and looked at the table). When we asked him, he blamed the kitchen then went to find out what had happened. He came back and apologised and said it would be with us shortly (to be clear, two of us were only having toast!) only for us to have to chase again. An hour had gone by and we still had no breakfast (every other table had come and gone by then. After chasing a second time, he brought out one cooked breakfast (with the wrong eggs) and an omelette (the other order was for poached eggs on toast), oh and then the toast! We explained this was wrong so he blamed the kitchen again and then said he’d get them to make poached eggs but we said we’d rather not have rushed poached eggs (and to be honest it had been over an hour, we had to get off). There was an almighty row going on between him and the kitchen (I imagine the order simply hadn’t made it and then he’d guessed). We were gutted, it had been such a lovely stay with two fabulous meals and great service and it ended like that. We were told that a guest had a flat battery and they were trying to help out with that, but to me there’s no excitement for that level of service in a breakfast room where only 5 tables have taken breakfast. When I checked out he apologised it did not make eye contact. I really wanted to be writing a positive review and like I said the majority of the stay was super, to the point we’d discussed returning g. However that wouldn’t happen now, which is a shame.

We stayed 3 nights B&B following a Travelzoo offer. Let me say firstly that the level of customer service, friendliness and general willingness to help was very high. The stay was let down a bit by the non function of the a/c in our initial room during a very hot spell in room 22 on the first night. Even with a fan it was unbearably hot during the night [being on ground floor we didn't wish to open the windows] and when I mentioned this at reception the following morning they said they would have a look but if unsuccessful allocate another room that was cooler. This happened [room 25] and whilst not having a/c either was positioned out of the daylong sun and had cooling original thick stone walls. I noticed since that another reviewer also mentioned the same issue in Oct 23 [was this never fixed?] so I'd suggest getting this sorted out ASAP as it was the only uncomfortable let down. Cooked breakfast each morning was tasty and well cooked. We had an evening meal in the restaurant on the first night and that was good as well. Included was a small cream tea for 2: 2 scones/cream/jam no variety choice of teas offered. There is adequate parking for guests within the courtyards. The location was excellent for our day trips to Stratford/Avon, Blenheim Palace etc. Incidentally due to personal circumstances we had to rearrange the dates a few days prior to our original dates. The reception staff were very helpful and amended them without issue or query. We were grateful for their understanding. So in summary overall pleased with the stay, the price we paid under this deal and especially the customer service but disappointed concerning the first room. A well located hotel for trips outs and a pleasant small village with old church and a couple of interesting shops.

We booked this at very short notice and had the last room I believe, which overlooked the internal court yard. It was a bit smaller than the pictures online, but was clean, had a large bathroom, tea/coffee making facilities and everything you needed. The staff were fantastic, very friendly and helpful. A good spread for breakfast from buffet to full cooked English breakfasts. The hotel was steeped in history and added to the atmosphere.

I use many different hotels on a monthly basis however this was my first visit at this hotel. I want to congratulate the team at holiday inn Oxford as I had an enjoyable stay and everything was clean and tidy. I was greeted with a warm welcome and although the hotel was busy the staff were very accommodating.The bar staff were very friendly but I would like to especially mention Lauren who served me with a smile and was very efficient considering how busy the bar was. Thank you for an enjoyable experience and I hope to return soon (14/10/22)

I booked this hotel for a weekend get away foe me and my partner. It was an early birthday treat, i advised the hotel this upon booking and they were fantastic enough to put a banner up and left a few little goodies for her which was amazing, very nice touch. The hotel staff were friendly, polite and courteous. Would definitely look at booking again in the future if we are down that way again.

The hotel is located in a convenient location where we can easily commute around the city centre and the Bicester village. Sadia was really nice and helpful. She greeted us with a warm welcome. Rooms were quite small but they are clean and tidy. Overall, it was a great time staying at the hotel.

This is a good hotel in central part of the city. We didn't use any of the facilities due to our short stay at the hotel. It looks quite decent and room was nice and cozy. Service was ok, but could be better if you get a proper greeting or a sort of welcoming that is expected at this level of hotels. Location is close to bus station and railway station, which is convenient if you are in/out of Oxford for a short stay.