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Summary of reviewsThe Lion Bicester is a highly lauded hotel noted for its prime location, exceptional staff and commendable facilities, making it an attractive choice for travelers. Situated close to Bicester Village and nestled in a picturesque village off the M40, it offers a tranquil yet accessible retreat. The scenic countryside and charming houses add to its appeal and the easy motorway access and proximity to Oxford enhance its convenience for both short and extended stays. Guests are particularly pleased with the spacious, comfortable rooms, accentuated by modern decor and luxurious, cosy interiors.
Dining at The Lion Bicester is a highlight with breakfast receiving high praise for its variety and quality, especially the Full English breakfast. Though a few guests noted areas for improvement, such as earlier service times and a wider selection of beverages, the overall consensus is positive. Dinner experiences are equally impressive with guests lauding the well-priced, delicious meals served in both the restaurant and the pub.
Cleanliness is a standout feature, consistently noted across reviews. Rooms and bathrooms are described as spotless, well-appointed and beautifully decorated, further contributing to the overall comfortable and inviting atmosphere. The hotel staff play a crucial role in enhancing the guest experience, frequently praised for their friendliness, professionalism and dedication to providing exceptional service. The pet-friendly policy is another notable aspect with staff ensuring a welcoming environment for both guests and their canine companions.
While there are mixed opinions about the beds with most guests finding them extremely comfortable and a few finding them too soft, the general feedback remains positive. The high standards of comfort, luxury and cleanliness at The Lion Bicester, combined with its beautiful setting and friendly, accommodating staff, make it a top choice for travelers seeking a memorable and pleasant stay. Show more
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Categories
Luxury Inn
Dog Friendly Inn
Small Inn
4-Star Inn
Room Types
Standard Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a flat-screen TV, soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe as well as garden views. The unit has 1 bed.
Superior Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, as well as garden views. The unit has 1 bed.
Deluxe Double RoomThe spacious double room provides soundproof walls, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower and a hairdryer. The double room features a wardrobe, a carpeted floor, heating, a flat-screen TV, as well as garden views. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.6
Very Good
Location
The Lion Bicester boasts a highly appealing location, praised for its close proximity to Bicester Village, making it an excellent choice for those seeking retail therapy. Nestled in a quaint and quiet village just off the M40, it offers a tranquil retreat despite its accessibility. Guests frequently remark on the peaceful environment and beautiful surroundings with stunning countryside and picturesque houses adding to the charm. The hotel is conveniently located for both short stays and longer journeys, ideal for breaking up a trip. The setting is not just beautiful but also functional with easy motorway access and close proximity to Oxford and surrounding areas. Visitors appreciate the spacious and comfortable rooms and the added benefit of a great pub on site enhances the overall experience. The location, while remote for some, is perceived as a serene escape perfectly suited to various needs.
Breakfast
The breakfast at The Lion Bicester consistently receives high praise from guests. Described as excellent, really good and superb, the Full English breakfast, in particular, stands out as a favorite. Guests appreciate the well-prepared and substantial offerings, highlighting dishes such as Eggs Florentine and Eggs Benedict as tasty and enjoyable. There's a notable mention of the friendly and efficient breakfast staff, making the dining experience pleasant and welcoming.
However, a few areas for improvement have been noted. Some guests would prefer a pot of coffee and a wider selection of juices. A couple of reviews mentioned the absence of a buffet, cereals or porridge, which could be a drawback for some visitors. Additionally, breakfast starting at 8 am is considered late by business travelers.
Overall, the generous portions and varied breakfast menu, coupled with the lovely ambiance and friendly service, contribute positively to the dining experience at The Lion Bicester. While some aspects could be enhanced, the positive feedback regarding the quality and taste of the food stands out prominently.
Dinner
The Lion Bicester has garnered numerous praises for its dining options, particularly for dinner. Guests have frequently commended the fabulous quality of food whether enjoyed in the restaurant or the inviting pub area across the courtyard. Many highlights include delicious and well-priced meals, complemented by a very good breakfast.
Diners describe the restaurant fare as lovely, incredible and phenomenal, consistently noting excellent and fabulous dining experiences. The pub's evening meals, including Sunday lunch, have been lauded as amazing with a good selection of ales to accompany the food. Despite a few remarks about limited breakfast choices and occasional slower service, the overwhelming consensus points to high satisfaction with the variety and quality of dishes served.
Overall, The Lion Bicester impresses with its excellent food offerings, making it a notable spot for travelers seeking a memorable dining experience.
Rooms
Guests consistently praised the rooms at The Lion Bicester for their cleanliness and comfort. Reviews highlighted the spaciousness and modern updates of the accommodations with many noting the fresh decor and well-appointed facilities. Several guests mentioned the rooms were stunning, warm and relaxing with luxurious, cosy atmospheres and spotless bathrooms. The large showers and quality fixtures add to the appeal, making the rooms feel both stylish and practical.
Families appreciated the generous space available, particularly when traveling with young children. The settings are described as quiet, peaceful and inviting with cleanliness and comfort being standout features. Additionally, the helpful and attentive staff, along with the great location near Bicester Village, enhance the overall experience. The charming pub and beautiful pub garden were also mentioned as enjoyable aspects of staying at The Lion Bicester. Guests felt that the rooms had everything needed for a pleasant and memorable stay.
Beds
The Lion Bicester seems to be a mixed bag when it comes to bed comfort, leaning heavily towards the positive. Most guests frequently praise the beds, describing them as extremely comfortable, amazing and super comfortable. The pillows also receive commendation for their comfort. Many reviews compliment the spacious and big rooms, adding to the overall comfortable experience. However, some guests found the beds too soft for their liking and a few noted that the mattress felt almost like a waterbed. Despite these outliers, the majority of reviews highlight the beds as a significant plus in their stay at The Lion Bicester.
Cleanliness
The Lion Bicester receives high praise for its cleanliness, consistently noted across various guest reviews. Rooms are frequently described as very clean, tidy and well presented. Guests appreciate the high standard of cleanliness throughout the hotel, mentioning that both the rooms and bathrooms are spotless and well-appointed. Reviews highlight that the rooms are not just clean but also comfortable and beautifully decorated. The bathrooms are repeatedly mentioned for their immaculate condition and appealing style. The hotel's overall atmosphere is marked as clean and organized, ensuring a pleasant stay for visitors. Despite one mention of disappointing cleaning standards, the predominant impression is one of extreme cleanliness with the hotel maintaining a lovely and comfortable environment for its guests.
Staff
'The Lion Bicester' has received a warm reception from guests, particularly praising the hotel staff for their exceptional service. Descriptive terms like friendly, helpful and professional frequently appear in guest reviews, highlighting the positive interactions experienced during their stays. Guests noted that the staff were not only polite and accommodating but also went out of their way to ensure a pleasant experience, often described as amazing and fantastic.
Many comments emphasized the staff's welcoming nature, making stays relaxing and friendly with some specifically appreciating how the hosts made them feel at home. The chef and food service also received commendations for being delicious and delivered with friendliness, though a few reviews did mention instances of slow service.
The hotel’s atmosphere is enhanced by its friendly team, including mentions of a particular redhead lady at the bar/reception who stood out for her outgoing personality. Additionally, guests highlighted the hotel's pet-friendly policy and how the staff's kindness extended even to dogs.
While the staff's ability to remain professional and accommodating, even when busy or understaffed, garnered applause, the overall sentiment was that of a lovely facility with lovely staff, making it a high-value experience for those visiting Bicester.
Luxury
The Lion Bicester provides a luxurious experience in a charming setting. Guests frequently highlight its great location, beautiful building and spacious rooms with character. The ambiance is consistently praised, as is the well-presented nature of the hotel and its facilities. Dining experiences are notable with excellent food adding to the overall enjoyment. Rooms are described as comfortable, clean and well set up, featuring amenities like a coffee machine and luxurious bathroom products. The high standards of comfort and cleanliness significantly contribute to the warm and cosy atmosphere, making it an ideal place to stay.
Dog Friendly
The Lion Bicester is noted for its welcoming atmosphere for canine companions. Guests appreciate the dog-friendly policy, allowing pets in both the pub and restaurant areas. The environment is described as cosy and accommodating with staff going out of their way to ensure guests and their dogs feel comfortable. Specific attention is given to the relaxed atmosphere, where pets, including puppies, are allowed to settle under dining tables. The dog-friendly accommodation on the ground floor is particularly praised for its convenience. Overall, the hotel is commended for being very accommodating to both dogs and their owners.
No, The Lion Bicester doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Lion Bicester.
Yes, The Lion Bicester welcomes dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at The Lion Bicester.