Head of the River
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Summary of reviewsThe Head of the River hotel in Oxford is highly regarded for its prime location and charming atmosphere, making it an ideal choice for visitors. Nestled alongside the picturesque River Thames, this hotel offers beautiful river views and maintains close proximity to Oxford's city center with key attractions just a short walk away. The setting combines a peaceful retreat with accessibility to the bustling city, enhanced by convenient public transportation.
Guests praise the breakfast experience, highlighting its delicious and varied offerings, from full English breakfasts to continental and vegan options. The breakfast is often described as amazing and excellent, adding significant value to the overall stay. Similarly, the hotel's restaurant and pub receive accolades for their superb dining options, including well-loved dishes like fish and chips and a highly praised Sunday Lunch. The riverside ambiance further enhances the dining experience.
The rooms at Head of the River are frequently complimented for their bright, modern and clean features. Guests appreciate the stylish and cozy decor, comfortable beds and essential amenities such as coffee and tea facilities. While some reviews note issues with room size, darkness or noise, the overall sentiment is positive, particularly for rooms offering scenic river views and superior rooms with added luxuries.
Cleanliness is generally well-regarded with many rooms described as spotless and inviting. However, there's acknowledgment of occasional inconsistencies, such as dust or mildew. Despite these remarks, the hotel's cleanliness largely contributes to a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
The staff at Head of the River are consistently praised for their friendliness, professionalism and helpfulness. Many guests highlight the efficient check-in and check-out processes and the warm, welcoming nature of the team. This exceptional service significantly enhances the guest experience.
Wi-Fi at the hotel receives mixed reviews. While free Wi-Fi is appreciated, some guests experience poor connectivity and slow speeds. This is an area with room for improvement.
The hotel's beds are generally well-received, described as comfortable and cozy, though there are occasional comments regarding firmness or bed setup. Still, a majority of guests enjoy restful sleep during their stay.
As a boutique hotel, Head of the River stands out for its unique and charming atmosphere. The combination of historical charm and modern decor, alongside a gastro pub ambiance, creates a delightful and memorable environment. The luxury amenities and comfortable accommodations further contribute to the hotel's appeal.
Pet owners also find Head of the River to be an excellent choice with its dog-friendly policies and amenities making it convenient to travel with pets.
In summary, Head of the River provides a welcoming, comfortable and well-located base for visitors to Oxford. The scenic riverside setting, high-quality dining, stylish rooms, excellent service and pet-friendly atmosphere make it a highly recommended destination.
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Guests praise the breakfast experience, highlighting its delicious and varied offerings, from full English breakfasts to continental and vegan options. The breakfast is often described as amazing and excellent, adding significant value to the overall stay. Similarly, the hotel's restaurant and pub receive accolades for their superb dining options, including well-loved dishes like fish and chips and a highly praised Sunday Lunch. The riverside ambiance further enhances the dining experience.
The rooms at Head of the River are frequently complimented for their bright, modern and clean features. Guests appreciate the stylish and cozy decor, comfortable beds and essential amenities such as coffee and tea facilities. While some reviews note issues with room size, darkness or noise, the overall sentiment is positive, particularly for rooms offering scenic river views and superior rooms with added luxuries.
Cleanliness is generally well-regarded with many rooms described as spotless and inviting. However, there's acknowledgment of occasional inconsistencies, such as dust or mildew. Despite these remarks, the hotel's cleanliness largely contributes to a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
The staff at Head of the River are consistently praised for their friendliness, professionalism and helpfulness. Many guests highlight the efficient check-in and check-out processes and the warm, welcoming nature of the team. This exceptional service significantly enhances the guest experience.
Wi-Fi at the hotel receives mixed reviews. While free Wi-Fi is appreciated, some guests experience poor connectivity and slow speeds. This is an area with room for improvement.
The hotel's beds are generally well-received, described as comfortable and cozy, though there are occasional comments regarding firmness or bed setup. Still, a majority of guests enjoy restful sleep during their stay.
As a boutique hotel, Head of the River stands out for its unique and charming atmosphere. The combination of historical charm and modern decor, alongside a gastro pub ambiance, creates a delightful and memorable environment. The luxury amenities and comfortable accommodations further contribute to the hotel's appeal.
Pet owners also find Head of the River to be an excellent choice with its dog-friendly policies and amenities making it convenient to travel with pets.
In summary, Head of the River provides a welcoming, comfortable and well-located base for visitors to Oxford. The scenic riverside setting, high-quality dining, stylish rooms, excellent service and pet-friendly atmosphere make it a highly recommended destination.
Dog Friendly Inn
The Head of the River is known as one of the best places to stay in Oxford and is dog-friendly. It features a large outside terrace overlooking the river, providing a relaxing environment for guests and their pets.
Boutique-style Inn
Luxury Inn
Small Inn
Guest Reviews
The Head of the River hotel is widely praised for its excellent location, making it an ideal choice for visitors to Oxford. Situated right on the picturesque River Thames, the hotel offers beautiful river views and a scenic, atmospheric setting. Guests appreciate the short, easy walk to Oxford city center, which is typically only 10 minutes away on foot, giving convenient access to key attractions, shopping centers and colleges, including Christchurch College and Meadow.
The lovely riverside location enhances the hotel's charm, providing a peaceful retreat without sacrificing proximity to the city's vibrant core. Its strategic position also allows for easy access to public transportation, including the park and ride facilities, making it incredibly convenient for travelers.
The hotel's surrounding area with its beautiful terrace by the river and historic aesthetic, adds to its allure. Visitors frequently highlight the comfortable rooms, cleanliness and the cozy, character-filled pub, perfect for a relaxing stay. The combination of the prime location, stunning views and accessible central Oxford conveniences makes the Head of the River a delightful base for exploring this historic city.
The breakfast experience at 'Head of the River' receives overwhelmingly positive reviews from guests. Consistently described as amazing, excellent and delicious, the breakfast offers a diverse and generous selection. Guests highlight the inclusion of both continental and hot options with a particular appreciation for the full English breakfast, freshly cooked dishes and options for vegans. Various reviewers commend the variety of fruit juices, the presence of a buffet alongside à la carte choices and the swift, friendly service. The breakfast is often included in the room rate, which many found to be a great value. While some guests note a few areas for improvement, such as a limited selection or the need for better setup, the general consensus is one of satisfaction and enjoyment, emphasizing the quality of the food and the relaxing riverfront setting. The breakfast at 'Head of the River' stands out as a highlight of the stay, contributing significantly to the overall positive experience at the hotel.
At 'Head of the River,' guests consistently commend the hotel's restaurant and pub for offering a stellar dining experience. The food is frequently described as delicious, superb and of high quality. Many guests were delighted with dishes like fish and chips and vegan options, while the Sunday Lunch receives particular praise for its excellence. Despite a limited and sometimes expensive menu, the variety of available meals seems to satisfy many with some noting that it is among the best food they had in the UK. The ambiance also adds to the overall experience, as diners enjoyed their meals by the river, often highlighted as an excellent setting. Although a few reviews mentioned inconsistency in the quality of breakfasts and occasional unavailability of certain dishes due to high demand, the general consensus leans towards a positive dining experience that combines good food with a charming atmosphere. Special touches like discounted meals for hotel guests and beautifully cooked dinners further enhance the appeal.
The rooms at 'Head of the River' hotel received numerous positive remarks from guests for being bright, clean, modern and equipped with essential amenities. Many found the decor to be charming and stylish with lovely additions like coffee and tea facilities, milk for drinks, toiletries and even Dyson fans in some rooms. Rooms with views of the river were particularly appreciated for their scenic outlooks.
Guests frequently described the rooms as comfy, cozy and spacious, praising the beds for their comfort. The rooms are noted for their interesting and historic-themed designs, which add a unique charm to the overall experience. Cleanliness was a strong point for many with some rooms being described as spotless and well-maintained. Superior rooms, in particular, garnered positive feedback for their size and additional features like sofas and mini-fridges.
However, some reviews pointed out issues such as rooms being smaller than expected or overly dark. Noise was also a common complaint, especially from rooms facing busy roads or near the pub area. Temperature control was another concern with several guests finding their rooms too hot or stuffy despite the availability of fans. Additionally, certain rooms were criticized for not being cleaned thoroughly with mentions of dust, mildew and even cobwebs.
The bathrooms were generally well-received with many guests highlighting modern designs and good shower facilities. Yet, a few mentioned specific issues like noise or mildew in the shower area. Overall, despite some maintenance and cleanliness issues, the hotel rooms were largely praised for their comfort, stylish decoration and the impressive river views they offered.
Head of the River has garnered a variety of guest feedback regarding its bedding. Overall, the majority of guests found the beds to be comfortable with several describing their sleeping experience as enjoyable and mentioning how well they slept. Phrases such as comfortable bed, super comfy bed and very comfortable bed were frequently noted. Many appreciated the king-size beds and found the beds to be cozy and well-prepared with nice, fluffy and fresh bedding.
However, some guests encountered issues like small, narrow or slightly soft beds and there were occasional comments about beds being less than satisfactory due to two singles being pushed together or beds needing repair. A few reviews reported discomfort due to very firm or lumpy mattresses, squeaky bed frames and cluttered bed setups. While a handful of visitors suggested mattress upgrades for higher quality and comfort, the general consensus points towards a mostly positive experience with the bedding at Head of the River.
The guest reviews of 'Head of the River' highlight a mixed experience regarding the cleanliness of the hotel. On the positive side, many guests praised the rooms for being "bright and clean," "spotless," and "well-cleaned." The overall cleanliness was frequently described as "faultless" and "good." The bathrooms, in particular, received commendations for being "sparkling clean" and "well-decorated."
Several reviews pointed out how clean and comfortable the accommodations were with mentions of rooms being "beautifully decorated" and "stylish." Reviewers appreciated the "modern" touch and the hotel's atmosphere was deemed pleasant and inviting.
However, some issues were noted in various reviews, highlighting inconsistencies in cleanliness. Complaints included "mould in the shower," "old cobwebs and spiders," and "dusty rooms." Specific remarks about the rooms being "dark and grimy" or needing "deeper cleaning" suggest that the standards were not uniformly maintained. Several guests pointed out that certain areas, such as window frames and carpets, could have been cleaner and there were mentions of "dead mosquitoes on the ceiling" and "dirty spoons in the room."
Despite these criticisms, the general sentiment towards the cleanliness of the 'Head of the River' leans positively with numerous mentions of the hotel being "clean and comfortable." Improvements in consistency could further elevate the guest experience at this charming hotel.
'Head of the River' hotel receives high praise for its exceptional staff, who consistently leave a positive impression on guests. Across numerous reviews, visitors celebrated the staff for being friendly, welcoming and genuinely helpful. The reception staff, in particular, were often highlighted for their warmth and efficiency, making check-in and check-out processes smooth and hassle-free.
Guests frequently commented on the professionalism and politeness of the hotel team. Many noted how staff members went out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay, displaying a customer-focused attitude and accommodating any special requests with ease. Efficiency and attentiveness were recurrent themes with guests appreciating the timely and effective service provided throughout their stay.
The general ambiance was enhanced by a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, largely thanks to the personable nature of the staff. Visitors felt well-cared-for, often mentioning that interactions with staff members, from the bartenders to the housekeeping team, were pleasant and left a lasting positive impression.
While there were occasional notes about the need for better local knowledge and some instances of busy periods affecting service, these were far outweighed by the overwhelming positive feedback. Guests left with fond memories of their stay, attributing much of their satisfaction to the dedicated and friendly staff at 'Head of the River.'
The wifi situation at Head of the River seems to be a mixed bag. On the positive side, the hotel offers free wifi throughout the premises with several guests noting that the wifi is good and available. However, there are some issues reported; some guests encountered poor internet cover and limited access with the broadband struggling at times. Others mentioned that the internet was incredibly slow or that there was no wifi in their rooms. Additionally, some guests found that the connection process for the wifi was not clearly communicated. Overall, while there is free wifi available, it may not be the most reliable or fast option for those who require consistent internet access during their stay.
Head of the River offers a unique and delightful stay with its boutique style rooms and quirky, individually designed accommodations. Guests repeatedly praise the hotel's cozy, characterful atmosphere and its trendy yet historical charm. The hotel effortlessly combines old world ambiance with modern, stylish decor, resulting in beautifully designed rooms that are both comfortable and inviting. Many describe it as a quaint and lovely boutique hotel with a unique pub atmosphere that adds a distinctive edge to the experience. The setting is wonderfully unique with quirky older buildings and typical furnishings that contribute to the hotel's personalized and pleasant atmosphere. Furthermore, the gastro pub feel and great food make it not just a place to stay, but a destination in its own right. This encapsulated boutique haven stands out due to its quaint charm and delightful, quirky design, making it a memorable and enjoyable place to visit.
Head of the River offers a blend of comfort and high-end amenities that can make a stay feel like a top-class, luxurious treat. The establishment boasts comfortable beds and rooms with a posh, high-end feel. Guests frequently describe the atmosphere as luxurious and the amenities align with this perception, although some have noted that the rooms were not always as luxurious as anticipated. Despite some bold advertising and an additional charge for pets, the overall experience tends to live up to the luxury claims, giving visitors a sense of indulgence during their stay.
Head of the River is praised as a lovely and very dog-friendly property, welcoming dogs and their owners with open arms. Guests appreciate the dog-friendly rooms and the hotel's overall pet-friendly atmosphere, which allows them to travel with their pets for quick weekend trips. The facilities are noted for their dog accommodation, including provisions like dog beds, making it convenient for pet owners. While there were some isolated incidents with staff, the general sentiment reflects a positive experience for visitors traveling with pets.
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Location
The lovely riverside location enhances the hotel's charm, providing a peaceful retreat without sacrificing proximity to the city's vibrant core. Its strategic position also allows for easy access to public transportation, including the park and ride facilities, making it incredibly convenient for travelers.
The hotel's surrounding area with its beautiful terrace by the river and historic aesthetic, adds to its allure. Visitors frequently highlight the comfortable rooms, cleanliness and the cozy, character-filled pub, perfect for a relaxing stay. The combination of the prime location, stunning views and accessible central Oxford conveniences makes the Head of the River a delightful base for exploring this historic city.
Breakfast
Dinner
Rooms
Guests frequently described the rooms as comfy, cozy and spacious, praising the beds for their comfort. The rooms are noted for their interesting and historic-themed designs, which add a unique charm to the overall experience. Cleanliness was a strong point for many with some rooms being described as spotless and well-maintained. Superior rooms, in particular, garnered positive feedback for their size and additional features like sofas and mini-fridges.
However, some reviews pointed out issues such as rooms being smaller than expected or overly dark. Noise was also a common complaint, especially from rooms facing busy roads or near the pub area. Temperature control was another concern with several guests finding their rooms too hot or stuffy despite the availability of fans. Additionally, certain rooms were criticized for not being cleaned thoroughly with mentions of dust, mildew and even cobwebs.
The bathrooms were generally well-received with many guests highlighting modern designs and good shower facilities. Yet, a few mentioned specific issues like noise or mildew in the shower area. Overall, despite some maintenance and cleanliness issues, the hotel rooms were largely praised for their comfort, stylish decoration and the impressive river views they offered.
Beds
However, some guests encountered issues like small, narrow or slightly soft beds and there were occasional comments about beds being less than satisfactory due to two singles being pushed together or beds needing repair. A few reviews reported discomfort due to very firm or lumpy mattresses, squeaky bed frames and cluttered bed setups. While a handful of visitors suggested mattress upgrades for higher quality and comfort, the general consensus points towards a mostly positive experience with the bedding at Head of the River.
Cleanliness
Several reviews pointed out how clean and comfortable the accommodations were with mentions of rooms being "beautifully decorated" and "stylish." Reviewers appreciated the "modern" touch and the hotel's atmosphere was deemed pleasant and inviting.
However, some issues were noted in various reviews, highlighting inconsistencies in cleanliness. Complaints included "mould in the shower," "old cobwebs and spiders," and "dusty rooms." Specific remarks about the rooms being "dark and grimy" or needing "deeper cleaning" suggest that the standards were not uniformly maintained. Several guests pointed out that certain areas, such as window frames and carpets, could have been cleaner and there were mentions of "dead mosquitoes on the ceiling" and "dirty spoons in the room."
Despite these criticisms, the general sentiment towards the cleanliness of the 'Head of the River' leans positively with numerous mentions of the hotel being "clean and comfortable." Improvements in consistency could further elevate the guest experience at this charming hotel.
Staff
Guests frequently commented on the professionalism and politeness of the hotel team. Many noted how staff members went out of their way to ensure a pleasant stay, displaying a customer-focused attitude and accommodating any special requests with ease. Efficiency and attentiveness were recurrent themes with guests appreciating the timely and effective service provided throughout their stay.
The general ambiance was enhanced by a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, largely thanks to the personable nature of the staff. Visitors felt well-cared-for, often mentioning that interactions with staff members, from the bartenders to the housekeeping team, were pleasant and left a lasting positive impression.
While there were occasional notes about the need for better local knowledge and some instances of busy periods affecting service, these were far outweighed by the overwhelming positive feedback. Guests left with fond memories of their stay, attributing much of their satisfaction to the dedicated and friendly staff at 'Head of the River.'
Wi-Fi
Boutique-Style
Luxury
Dog Friendly
No, Head of the River doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Head of the River.
Yes, Head of the River welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Head of the River.
No, Head of the River doesn't have a gym.
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