MORE than nine million people visit Oxford every year to explore the university, watch sports games and take in a city steeped in history and culture.

But according to a newly-released 'Bizarre Requests Audit' from Travelodge some tourists are harder to please than others.

The chain, which has hotels in Peartree, Abingdon Road and Wheatley, today published a list of the oddest questions asked by customers over the past 12 months - and it makes for startling reading.

PEARTREE

  • "Does your pet policy include a capuchin monkey?" 
  • "Can I have a room in the same direction as the Dreaming Spires so that I can have a good dream tonight?"
  • "Can you reserve me a dinner reservation for two people at Harry Potter's dining table at the Great Hall?" 
  •  "Can you get me a new cap and gown for my graduation which is taking place in one hour as I have spilled tomato sauce all over it?" 

ABINGDON ROAD

  • "Which is the friendliest gargoyle to visit?"
  • "Can I have a circular quilt?"
  • "Can you return my library books to the Bodleian library?"
  • "What temperature is it in the Botanical Gardens in February?"  

WHEATLEY

  • "Can I see the Oxford United FC ox in the museum?"
  • "Can you help me revise for my exam?"

Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed said: “Out hotel teams receive thousands of unusual requests from business and leisure travellers. 

"Where possible, the hotels teams go above and beyond to help customers. However, there are some requests they cannot help with, such as finding a Unicorn to help one romantic with his wedding proposal, ensuring there is a blue sky on the day of an important meeting and moving a Travelodge room to the roof of the hotel so that the customer could sleep under the stars."

Perhaps even less surprisingly, a staff member at Travelodge Bicester was also asked: "Can you be my personal shopper for the day?"