The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels, Oxford

The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels is a true historic landmark in the heart of Oxford. Situated on the south side of Beaumont Street, opposite the Ashmoleum Museum and close to the Oxford Playhouse, it couldn’t be better positioned for visitors to the city. With its beautiful Gothic facade, the hotel was opened in 1866 and named after Dr. Francis Randolph, an eighteenth century university benefactor, and not after Lord Randolph Churchill as many may suspect. In 2019, The Randolph was acquired by the American chain Graduate Hotels, who have since restored the hotel back to its former glory.

The gothic architecture continues inside with beautiful pointed arches above entrances, window tracery, and a highly impressive grand staircase. Paying homage to Oxford University’s innovators and alumni, collegiate shields hang from the ceiling, running down the middle of the staircase, a magnificent reminder that one is a stone’s throw away from the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Guest room wallpaper is inspired by the city’s native flowers and birds. Our very large room was decorated in soothing blues and creams reminiscent of the finest English Delftware pottery. A portrait of Oscar Wide hung over the bed. Wilde studied at Magdalen College, arriving in autumn 1874, where he studied classics and graduated with a double First.

Our bathroom was equally large and comfortable – a dream of a hotel bathroom.

We loved the quirky nods to former Oxford University alumni. It was fascinating to see copies of T.S. Eliot’s and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Student Cards!

And how about this for a view from one’s window: a stunning vista of the word famous Ashmoleum Museum which is literally a two minute walk away from The Randolph.

We absolutely adored The Alice with it’s sparkling chandeliers and chic pink banquets. The name is a nod t0 Alice in Wonderland and its writer Lewis Carroll who was Tutor in Mathematics at nearby Christ Church. This beautifully appointed all-day brasserie serves comforting, seasonal British dishes with a contemporary twist. Although the restaurant is situated inside The Randolph, it’s available to non-guests and is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In fact, there are six hospitality spaces within The Randolph; The Alice, The Alice Bar, The Morse Bar (TV show Inspector Morse, was filmed at the hotel), The Snug, The Drawing Room and The Lancaster Room so guests are positively spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options.

For guests in need of some relaxation, The Randolph have partnered with Made for Life Organics to offer an incredible selection of holistic and therapeutic wellness services. Inside the Wellness Centre, you can choose to have a relaxing steam, sauna, sensation shower, or book a pampering session in one of the four treatment rooms.

Whatever your agenda in Oxford, a blissful stay awaits at The Randolph!

For further information about The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels, please visit here

CELLOPHANELAND* were guests of The Randolph.

Images by The Randolph and CELLOPHANELAND*