Revamped hotel in Oxford gives guests warm welcome

The former Oxford Spires Four Pillars Hotel in Abingdon Road is now called voco Oxford Spires Hotel and has been showing off its recently refurbished features.

Oxford Spires is the latest hotel to launch under the InterContinental Hotels Group’s newest upmarket brand voco, which offers a ‘modern and stylish hotel experience for guests’.

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Afternoon tea was offered to invited guests this week to showcase the latest transformation made to the building which sits alongside the River Thames and on University College grounds.

The 181-room hotel was originally built 20 years ago, when it was designed by local builder John Ede and businessman Brian Murtyr.

Hotel manager Wendy Procter said: “We are delighted to be the fourth hotel in the UK to join the voco family.

“Our hotel offers guests the opportunity to relax in a rural setting while only being within walking distance from one of the greatest historic cities in the world.

“Voco is committed to delivering great guest experience and we look forward to offering a warm welcome to guests when they choose to stay with us.”

According to the managers, the decor at voco Oxford Spires is inspired by its surroundings and blends Cotswold stone with contemporary interiors throughout the hotel.

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A spokesman said: "The hotel guest rooms benefit from the voco design concept with comforts like cosy bedding made from 100 per cent recycled materials, Aveda water in larger dispenser bottles with naturally derived ingredients, and fast Wi-Fi so guests can relax and indulge in some ‘me time’ when they stay at voco."

The hotel guest rooms benefit from the voco design concept, which includes sustainable initiatives to help guests sleep easier, say managers.

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Miniature bottles have been removed from the hotel, and have been replaced with bulk size Aveda products in large-format bottles which produce 80 per cent less waste than miniatures.

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Glass water bottles mean that the hotel remove an average of 300 plastic bottles in every guest room per year and the hotel also provides aerated shower heads in their bathrooms to reduce water usage.

Guests can dine at Deacons Restaurant which offers locally inspired dishes, while the Deacon Lounge offers a space to unwind or catch up with friends and family over drinks.

The hotel also has a health club featuring a spa, steam room, jacuzzi, pool, gym and treatment rooms and open to non-guests using a leisure membership.

For corporate events, there are 11 meeting rooms, which can be adapted.

Oxford has benefitted from the arrival of several new hotels in recent years, including budget hotels.

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There is a Travelodge off Abingdon Road and a new Premier Inn is being built in Paradise Square.

A former solicitors’ office has been demolished and building work is about to start.

Last year a Courtyard by Marriott hotel opened in Paradise Street with a rooftop terrace, giving guests views of the city including the Westgate Centre and St George's Tower.

There are 140 bedrooms at the four-star hotel and its opening gave the city's tourist trade a major boost

Close to the city centre, the Marriott has 140 bedrooms and its opening gives the tourist trade a major boost.

The original application for the new building was approved in May 2017.

A new easyHotel is being built in Banbury Road, Summertown.