River Hotel

Hotels
8.2 (1109 reviews)
17 Botley Road , Oxford , gb

listing image 1
Show all photos
Children allowed

Facilities

Electric bicycle charging station
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Family rooms
Luggage storage
Safety deposit box
Non-smoking throughout
Private check-in/check-out
Shared lounge/TV area
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great location
Cons:
Rooms need improvement
Some construction noise

Categories

Cleanliness
7.84
Clean and comfortable, but some reports of paint issues.
Service
8.62
Staff were friendly and helpful across reviews.
Location
8.35
Great location, convenient for city access.
Room Quality
7.6
Rooms need some TLC; generally comfortable.
Amenities
8.33
Honesty bar appreciated; basic amenities well-reviewed.
Value for Money
7.99
Good value considering the location and amenities.
Food and Beverage
8.84
Excellent breakfast offerings and quality.
Overall Experience
8.01
Enjoyable stay with minor issues noted.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-08 00:03

Property Description

Individually Designed Rooms
Each room at River Hotel is uniquely designed, offering a cozy stay with essential amenities such as a desk, WiFi, and a flat-screen TV. Select rooms even provide a picturesque view of the garden extending to the serene River Thames.

Scenic Dining Experience
Start your day with a delightful English breakfast at the hotel's restaurant while overlooking the tranquil River Thames. Whether you prefer a traditional English meal or have specific dietary requirements like vegetarian, the hotel ensures a satisfying dining experience for all guests.

Convenient Location
Situated near renowned landmarks like the University of Oxford and Ashmolean Museum, River Hotel offers easy access to explore the cultural gems of Oxford. With the Museum of the History of Science just a short distance away, guests can immerse themselves in the city's rich history.

Book your stay at River Hotel for a memorable experience in Oxford.

Important information:

Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a family member.

Breakfast and parking included, except in 'room only' rate.

When booking 5 rooms or more, different policies and additional supplements may apply.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: LHR

Property Policies

  • Groups

    When booking more than 4 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in the hotel rooms and is free of charge.

  • Parking

    Private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and charges may be applicable.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 4 years old stay for £10 per person per stay when using an available cot.
    You haven't added any extra beds.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

8.2
Based on 1109 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.84
Service: 8.62
Location: 8.35
Room Quality: 7.6
Amenities: 8.33
Value for Money: 7.99
Food and Beverage: 8.84
Overall Experience: 8.01
L
Lisa • family_with_children • us
8
Unique, cozy and comfortable property.
Pros:

I came
Tomoxford po Its a vintage but clean property except i have some allergy with carpet. The bed is very comfortable and linens are clean & crisp. It has car parkings. Its a cute and unique property. Not for people that likes city or new modern property. The breakfast is old fashioned, made to order. Both of breakfast menus are yummy ( english breakfast and fish n egg bfast. I thought it might be too fish but surprisingly i really like it. Overall i really like this hotel. Staffs are helpful too.

Cons:

Some area has a very old carpet but clean. I understand its privately owned so they have to safe $$ to renovate. 😢

2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
K
Karen • couple • gb
10
Does what it says on the tin!
Pros:

It’s location , the fact it was family run and though a building with limitations , the room was very comfortable and clean and decor throughout hotel was fresh . A Free parking space came with the room too . All in all , the stay was good value . Yes, there are still roadworks etc around hotel but we had no noise issues at all and the hotel’s instructions as how to negotiate the way to it were spot on .

2026-06-06 • via Nuitee
J
Jack12345 • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

close to town, v good breakfast,comfortable bed. slightly faded elegance of an old Victorian mansion.

2026-06-03 • via Nuitee
C
Chesters • solo_traveller • gb
9
Pros:

Excellent breakfast. Friendly and welcoming staff. Lovely hotel with lots of old school charm.

Cons:

Nothing - it exceeded my expectations.

2026-05-31 • via Nuitee
A
Anna Sofia • extended_group • it
7
Pros:

comoda per distanza dal centro e dalla stazione dei bus. personale disponibile. bagno in camera, separato. pulizia nella norma. super colazione.

2026-05-30 • via Nuitee
Y
Yun • solo_traveller • nl
9
Pros:

Breakfast is really nice. Clean and cosy room.

2026-05-27 • via Nuitee
E
Eric • solo_traveller • fr
9
Pros:

Family style hotel, with a nice breakfeast.
Conveniently located, close to station in a quiet area

2026-05-26 • via Nuitee
O
osamagbe • extended_group • gb
7
A good experience
Pros:

Access to the centre with free on site parking and sufficient space for that.

The food is of excellent quality and attention to detail at breakfast which was provided. Extra pillows and blanket in the rooms. Washing hand soap and shower gel of good quality also provided. Clean towels including one for the floor.
Kettle, tea and sparkling water provided

Cons:

Bathroom grout , under taps need deep cleaning. I did clean one under out with a wipe and came off easily. Shower curtain edges too.
Also visitors need to be aware they will be asked for a copy of their passport data page on check in. Unsure if this is for all visitors or some.
We were asked for this and it was weird. Uk Drivers license not accepted either. I think it has to do with nationality.

2026-05-25 • via Nuitee
D
David • solo_traveller • gb
10
Wonderful place to stay
Pros:

Great location, friendly staff and the breakfast was amazing

2026-05-25 • via Nuitee
P
Peter • solo_traveller • gb
3
Payed £150 really worth maximum £80 if that. Very disappointing
Pros:

Close to the centre. Breakfast very good

Cons:

Very basic. Typical student room of the 1980’s. TV on the wall needed binoculars to see it with half the stations missing. Shower only one setting to hot.

2026-05-25 • via Nuitee
D
Dorrit • couple • dk
8
God beliggenhed men gammel og slidt hotel
Pros:

Beliggenhed og venlig personale

Cons:

Dårlig senge og gammel og slidt badeværelse. Hele hotellet trænger til en makeover.

2026-05-25 • via Nuitee
G
Gerard • couple • nl
8
genoten
Pros:

Heel goed Engels ontbijt. Dicht bij station en stad. Naast de Thames.

Cons:

Tot ver in de nacht was er wat lawaai van de centrifuge.

2026-05-22 • via Nuitee
P
PATRICIA • couple • us
10
Excellent choice, near train station, great breakfast.
Pros:

Helpful staff, more like a bed and breakfasts

Cons:

Nothing

2026-05-22 • via Nuitee
N
Nathan • family_with_children • us
10
Great value for the price
Pros:

The rooms were clean and the breakfast was tasty

Cons:

The larger beds were not comfortable enough to share for two adults - both sides sort of slanted towards the ground.

2026-05-21 • via Nuitee
J
Johanna • couple • de
8
Overall would stay here again :)
Pros:

Lovely and helpful staff. Very familiar mom and pop style. There was some issue with the water temperature in the bathroom but the hosts were quick to fix it and found an uncomplicated solution. Breakfast had great selection, was yummy and with a view on the garden and channel. I was allowed to hang out in the breakfast room to get some work done on my laptop.

Cons:

Not the most modern rooms if that is relevant.

2026-05-20 • via Nuitee
C
Caro1510 • solo_traveller • be
7
Pros:

Heel lekker ontbijt, parking bij hotel en op 15 minuten wandelafstand van centrum Oxford

Cons:

Beetje verouderde kamer en badkamer maar proper

2026-05-20 • via Nuitee
R
Rose • solo_traveller • gb
8
Pros:

Location was perfect

2026-05-19 • via Nuitee
P
Paloma • solo_traveller • fr
9
2026-05-18 • via Nuitee
J
Jenell • solo_traveller • nz
9
Enjoyed my two nights at the hotel . Breakfast was fantastic .
Pros:

Location and breakfast

2026-05-14 • via Nuitee
P
Pierre • couple • za
10
The hosts were helpful and gave advice on how to enjoy Oxford.
Pros:

Location and breakfast.

Cons:

Not much.

2026-05-13 • via Nuitee