A BRAND new hotel has finally opened its doors to guests.

EasyHotel, located on the Banbury Road in Summertown, was officially opened yesterday by Frank Smith, from Experience Oxfordshire.

The 180-bedroom hotel was first approved by Oxford City Council – now over three years, and multiple lockdowns later, the hotel can finally open its doors.

The budget hotel hopes to provide easy access to nearby attractions in the city center, as well as places such as Blenheim Palace.

UK County Manager, Nathan White explained: “The city of Oxford is a key economic centre and a popular tourist destination in the UK, as famous for its world-renowned University as it is for its beautiful historic buildings.

“There’s a lot of channels in Oxford that we are hoping to explore – I spoke to a resident next door who says he’s retired and usually has 15 people to stay for Christmas that need somewhere to stay.

“Normally he would have to put them in several B&Bs across the city, whereas now this will be ideal.

“From a resident who watched this hotel being built, and was initially opposed to the idea, he has now absolutely welcomed with open arms.”

As well as attracting tourists, the hotel hopes to provide a space for parents of students to stay – whether that is after dropping off their children at university or for a weekend visit.

Mr Smith, whose head of partnership services for Experience Oxfordshire, said: “The easyHotel opening is really great news for the city and the county.

“One of the things the city and county has suffered from in the past is a lack of bedroom space, so this will help increase those day trips to overnight stays – overnight stays is what we are really looking for to increase out tourism spending.

“This is great for us to get ready for next year as the international market starts to pick up again.”

Before the application was approved by councillors, the hotel had received over 400 complaints, ranging from the size of the hotel, the architectural design and concerns over parking.

Despite the concerns, the plan was given planning permission as the council said there was ‘no legitimate reason’ for turning it down.

Plans have since been adapted and some parking is now available at the hotel for £12 per night – the hotel also encourages people to use Peartree Park and Ride.

The hotel boasts to be an ‘environmentally conscious business’ and hopes to minimize the hotel’s impact o the local environment.