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Summary of reviewsThe Black Boy, located in the charming suburb of Headington, offers travelers a perfect blend of convenience and tranquility. Its strategic position near Oxford and notable attractions such as Blenheim Palace makes it an ideal base for exploration, while the serene village atmosphere provides a peaceful retreat. The hotel complements its prime location with off-street parking, ensuring accessibility for guests traveling by car.
The culinary offerings at The Black Boy are another highlight, with the breakfast experience receiving widespread acclaim. Guests praise the individually prepared dishes like poached eggs and locally sourced sausages for their exceptional quality. This personalized service enhances the dining experience, and the attentive, cheerful staff further contribute to guests' enjoyment. Dinner meals match this high standard, offering a diverse menu within a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. Many visitors choose to dine in the restaurant for multiple nights, testament to the satisfying and memorable meal options available.
Rooms at The Black Boy offer warmth, comfort, and stylish decor. Guests frequently commend their spaciousness, modern touches, and thoughtful amenities. Cleanliness stands out as a strong point, with recently renovated rooms that boast immaculate bedrooms and contemporary bathrooms. Comfortable beds ensure guests enjoy restful nights, further enriching the overall stay.
The staff play a pivotal role in enhancing the guest experience with their remarkable hospitality. Known for being friendly, efficient, and attentive, the team strives to ensure each visit is welcoming and enjoyable. Guests appreciate their dedication and the personal touch provided by the owners and staff members like Sarah.
Overall, The Black Boy excels in providing an exceptional experience through a combination of superb location, first-rate dining, comfortable accommodations, and outstanding service. Its boutique charm and inviting atmosphere make it a preferred choice for travelers seeking both comfort and convenience. Show more
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Categories
Small Inn
Located in Headington, this inn provides a traditional and cozy experience. Its historic charm and local atmosphere make it a unique choice.
Inn with Free Wi-Fi
4-Star Inn
Room Types
King RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a tea and coffee maker, a carpeted floor, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe King RoomProviding free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a shower and a hairdryer. This double room features a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Location
Nestled in the quaint suburb of Headington, The Black Boy boasts a prime location that attracts guests seeking both convenience and charm. Its proximity to major routes ensures easy access, making it an ideal choice for travelers exploring Oxford or visiting the nearby John Radcliffe Hospital. The serene village atmosphere offers a peaceful retreat, yet remains well-connected; bus stops within walking distance provide seamless travel into the heart of Oxford. The hotel's setting is picturesque, surrounded by old houses and tree-lined streets, lending a unique charm to the area.
Guests appreciate the hotel's strategic placement just a short bus or taxi ride from Oxford's vibrant city center, while notable attractions like the Blenheim Palace are just a brief drive away. The property's location combines the tranquility of a village with the accessibility of modern amenities, showcasing the best of both worlds. Off-street parking adds to the convenience, particularly for those traveling by car. With its beautiful setting and excellent location, The Black Boy stands out as a superb choice for those visiting Oxford.
Breakfast
The Black Boy Hotel offers a memorable breakfast experience that guests consistently praise for its quality and taste. Reviewers have highlighted the breakfast as a standout feature of their stay, with many describing it as excellent, delicious, and even unforgettable. Standout dishes, such as poached eggs, full English breakfasts, and locally sourced sausages, have received rave reviews for their exceptional quality.
Guests appreciated the variety and taste of the breakfast options, which are thoughtfully prepared to meet dietary requirements. While some reviews noted a desire for more basic items like juice and cereal, the overriding sentiment emphasized the high standard of meals served. The breakfast is not buffet-style; rather, it is individually prepared to order, which ensures freshness and personalized service.
The attentive and friendly staff contribute to the positive experience, with special mentions of cheerful service enhancing guests' mornings. The inviting atmosphere, combined with hearty servings, ensures the breakfast sets patrons up for a full day of sightseeing or relaxation.
While breakfast is served beginning at 8:00 a.m., those who experienced it found it worthy of recommendation, often noting both breakfast and dinner choices were of high quality. Overall, the breakfast at The Black Boy Hotel provides an exemplar in taste and service that caters well to a variety of preferences, making it a key part of the hotel's appeal.
Dinner
The Black Boy offers an outstanding culinary experience that has consistently satisfied its guests. Dinner and breakfast selections receive high praise for their deliciousness, with diners enjoying a variety of tasty and well-prepared dishes. Reviewers appreciate the restaurant's menu, which boasts an impressive and diverse array of choices. The food quality is consistently described as excellent, with a particular emphasis on the deliciousness of evening meals. The establishment's atmosphere is noted for being pleasant and conducive to a great dining experience, further enhancing the enjoyment of the meal.
Guests also commend the service, highlighting the exceptional quality and attentiveness provided alongside the food. The restaurant is described as nice, and the combination of good food and a stocked bar contributes to a memorable dining experience. Many patrons chose to dine at the restaurant for multiple nights during their stay, underscoring their satisfaction and enjoyment of the meals. The establishment manages to deliver a high-standard dining experience within a welcoming and comfortable setting, making it a recommended choice for both hotel guests and visitors seeking a delightful meal.
Rooms
The rooms at The Black Boy offer a consistently positive experience for guests, combining warmth, comfort, and style. Many highlight the spacious and clean accommodations, complete with comfortable beds and thoughtful amenities like tea and coffee facilities. Guests appreciate the modern and stylish decor, with several noting the quality toiletries and conveniences such as coffee pod machines. The rooms are described as lovely, characterful, and quiet, providing an excellent night’s sleep. The cleanliness of both bedrooms and bathrooms is frequently praised, as well as the overall atmosphere of the inn, which retains a cozy yet contemporary feel. The spaciousness and well-appointed furnishings make for a comfortable stay, ensuring guests feel at ease as they enjoy their time at this unique establishment. While some suggest that certain areas appear a bit tired compared to past visits, the prevailing consensus is that The Black Boy delivers a hotel-quality experience in an inn setting, making it an attractive choice for travelers seeking both charm and modern comfort.
Beds
Visitors to The Black Boy can expect a restful night’s sleep thanks to the consistently praised beds that populate their rooms. With multiple guests noting the exceptional comfort of the mattresses and feather bedding, the hotel clearly prioritizes the quality of its sleep experience. The beds are described as large, allowing for ample space and added relaxation. The comfort level is so notable that one can sleep soundly through the night. Rooms are often noted to be lovely and quiet, enhancing the restful atmosphere. While some minor nuisances, such as a mix-up with keys, are quickly sorted out, guests predominantly focus on the welcoming comfort of the beds, which stand out as a highlight of The Black Boy's offerings. However, a tip shared by a guest advises avoiding rooms 5 or 4, suggesting a possible inconsistency in the experience. Overall, the comfortable bedding ensures guests can recharge effectively during their stay.
Cleanliness
The Black Boy hotel consistently impresses guests with its excellent standards of cleanliness. Visitors frequently describe the accommodations as spotlessly clean, emphasizing the comfort and modern appeal of the rooms. The recently renovated rooms, completed in 2019, boast modern and thoughtfully appointed interiors that enhance the overall guest experience. Many reviews highlight the very clean and nicely decorated spaces, with immaculate bedrooms and contemporary bathrooms adding to the delight.
In addition to cleanliness, guests appreciate the good-sized rooms and the quiet location, which allows for a restful stay. While some minor issues are noted, such as occasional noise from the pub kitchen and bedding with a slight greying tinge, overall, guests are greeted with ultra-clean environments that make their stay enjoyable. The friendly and attentive staff further contribute to a well-run and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that everything is clean and comfortable.
Staff
At 'The Black Boy', guests continually express their admiration for the remarkable staff, who are integral to crafting an unforgettable experience. With consistent reviews highlighting the friendly and exceptionally helpful nature of the team, it's clear that hospitality is a priority. The staff are known to be both efficient and attentive, ensuring every guest feels welcomed and valued from the moment they arrive. The owners, alongside dedicated staff members like Sarah, excel in creating a warm atmosphere that resonates throughout the hotel and dining areas. Their attentive service has not gone unnoticed, as guests frequently praise the staff for going above and beyond, making sure nothing is too much trouble.
The ambiance in the dining area blends perfectly with the team's cheerful demeanor, providing not only delicious food but a delightful dining experience. It's evident that every effort is made to ensure guests have a comfortable stay, as many recount how the staff's kindness contributed significantly to their enjoyable visit. Whether advising on local attractions or simply attending to guests' needs, the staff at 'The Black Boy' transform hospitality into an art of outstanding service, leaving a lasting impression on all who experience it.
4 Star
Nestled just five minutes from the bus stop to London, The Black Boy offers a delightful retreat for travelers seeking comfort and charm. This boutique hotel, paired with a welcoming pub, provides an exceptional experience marked by warm hospitality. Guests are instantly greeted with attentive staff, setting the tone for a memorable stay.
The rooms blend modern elements with a traditional ambiance, resulting in accommodations that are both attractive and comfortably furnished. High standards of cleanliness and careful decoration elevate the overall appeal, ensuring a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The garden adds a picturesque touch, providing a tranquil space for relaxation.
Dining at The Black Boy is a highlight, with breakfast noted for its high quality and excellent taste. The food served throughout the day matches this standard, offering a delightful culinary experience.
Guests have consistently praised the superb location, making it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. This combination of superb facilities, attentive service, and appealing setting consistently ranks The Black Boy as a top choice for many. Overall, the hotel delivers an exceptional service and experience, earning strong recommendations from those who have visited.
No, The Black Boy doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Black Boy.
No, The Black Boy doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Black Boy.