A hotel in Oxford is seeing unexpected demand from heat-stricken locals.
Voco Oxford Thames has reported a wave of last-minute bookings from nearby residents seeking relief from the ongoing UK heatwave, with air conditioning as the main attraction.
During the last heatwave in May, the hotel picked up more than 15 room nights in a single day from people desperate to escape the heat.
Logesh Waran, hotel manager at voco Oxford Thames, said: "The hotel's phones have been ringing off the hook with people asking one very specific question: do the rooms have air conditioning?
"The answer - yes, in every single room - was enough to convince more than a few callers to pack a bag."
The hospitality trend extended beyond overnight stays, with voco Oxford Spires reporting a 168 per cent rise in cocktail sales and a 68.5 per cent increase in overall beverage revenue compared with the previous week during the last heatwave.
Dennis Pisarenco, director of operations at voco Oxford Spires, said: "Last month the heatwave created a fantastic atmosphere with guests making the most of our terrace, gardens and outdoor dining spaces so we're expecting the same this week."
Guests also appear to be making the most of the summer weather, with the Cotswolds Collins and Golden Apple cocktails proving particularly popular.
