Malmaison Oxford ★★☆
A luxury hotel converted from the 19C prison in Oxford Castle
More images
Take a 19th century prison that grew out of a medieval castle, convert it into a chic boutique hotel, and you have the Malmaison of Oxford.
In a twist of hip irony, the rooms converted from the actual cells in the "main building"—with their cell doors and cheeky counting-off-the-days carpeting—are more sought after than the rooms in the annex extension. However, even with most rooms created by linking three or more cells together, they remain a bit small for the steep prices.
On the plus side, the thick walls (and the fact that you're a few minutes' walk from the bustle of downtown) ensure peace and quiet.
The restaurant, though dim, is nice, and there is a small terrace bar on the roof.
Sadly, the valet parking (a bit under £30 per day) is not included in the rates.
Book it» More about Hotels in England
General info about Hotels in England
From hotel savings to better booking engines, alternative accommodations to lodging rip-offs, here is the best lodging advice around
There are dozens of hotel alternatives, from London flats to country cottages, farmhouse B&Bs to university dorms, rental rooms to residences, and campgrounds to castles. Here's how to find the lot of them.
