River Hotel

Hotels
8.2 (1131 reviews)
17 Botley Road , Oxford , gb

Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Heating
Family rooms
Garden
Luggage storage
Safety deposit box
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 1131 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
A
alessandro solo_traveller it
10
Piacevole e accogliente
Pros:

Lo staff è gentilissimo. Ti fa sentire a casa. L'hotel è gestito con molta cura ed è pulito.
La colazione è molto buona e c'è molta varietà. I piatti caldi, molto buoni, sono preparati al momento. Il giardino accanto al fiume è uno splendido angolo di pace.

Cons:

Non è in centro città ma il centro è comunque molto vicino, a piedi.

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
J
Jaemin solo_traveller hk
2
This is an inn, not a hotel.
Pros:

Breakfast and location

Cons:

- Cleaning crew management: I found a big trash bag when I returned to my room. Turns out they didn’t finish and left. Never experienced like that in any hotel in my entire life.
- very limited amenities
- Weary room.
- No lift - if your room is on a high floor you have to take your luggage by yourself all the way through the stairs. Of course, they do not offer help!
- Staff not friendly: That afternoon reception guy somehow always looks at a computer monitor and leaves guests hanging. He won’t even lift a finger - whether luggage pick up or guest greeting.

2026-07-04 via Nuitee
M
Malcolm solo_traveller gb
8
Oxford again!
Pros:

Location very good / convenient. Breakfast excellent and dining area tip top. Good guidance re access, etc.

Cons:

Room needed a bit of a refurbishment ... and better cleaning. Bathroom shower curtain mouldy or stained at the base. Slip mat looked very aged. Window was grubby behind the glazing.

2026-06-30 via Nuitee
L
Laura solo_traveller gb
10
Absolutely perfect
Pros:

Really well located from the bus station and railway station, the outside is beautiful and looks so inviting. The gardens are so peaceful by the river. Great size rooms with everything you need. The breakfast room is spacious and cool and the breakfast was perfect. The owners are fabulous and friendly. I slept so well even in the heat. I will definitely be back

2026-06-29 via Nuitee
E
Elizabeth solo_traveller nz
8
Pros:

Location, the age of the hotel with its history. Breakfast was delicious and filling.

Cons:

Room was at the front and very noisy. Shower tricky to use.

2026-06-29 via Nuitee
A
Anthony couple au
6
2026-06-25 via Nuitee
K
Kateryna couple gb
8
2026-06-24 via Nuitee
N
Nasser couple ae
9
An excellent comfortable stay with an excellent breakfast. Brilliant location right next to the river and a de minutes w
Pros:

Very Charming and friendly.

Cons:

It was all good for the price

2026-06-24 via Nuitee
M
Marisa solo_traveller us
7
Great location
Pros:

Great location, good breakfast

Cons:

Room was definitely run down. No AC, normally this is not an issue, but Europe was having a heat wave when I was there and heat warnings were issued. the room was really hot and stuffy even with the window open in the evening

2026-06-24 via Nuitee
S
Stephanie solo_traveller gb
8
Very enjoyable the staff are so helpful .
Pros:

Local to me and what I wanted to do in Oxford

Cons:

Very well decorated

2026-06-23 via Nuitee
H
Helene couple se
8
Pros:

Bra läge, fin trädgård. God frukost

2026-06-22 via Nuitee
K
Kanjana solo_traveller th
9
I love staying there for its room and complete breakfast assortment. Also staffs at the breakfast were very helpful.
Pros:

Breakfast, Staff, Room view

Cons:

Take a while to walk to the center,
There were insects coming to the bathroom at night,
The way the staff place the trash bin on the tub, not on the floor.

2026-06-21 via Nuitee
A
Anne solo_traveller no
8
Pros:

Veldig hyggelig personale , god frokost

2026-06-20 via Nuitee
P
Pierre-Yves solo_traveller fr
10
2026-06-20 via Nuitee
A
Annelise solo_traveller nl
7
Nice, small hotel. Big breakfast, kind staff
Pros:

Close to the railway station. Great staff, very elaborate cooked breakfast

Cons:

I was in the annexe, so can’t say anything about the other hotelrooms. The room in the annexe was in need for refurbishing. I think that was what they were doing with one of the lower rooms, so that issue may be solved when you book now

2026-06-19 via Nuitee
C
carlo couple th
9
2026-06-19 via Nuitee
B
Bojoba solo_traveller us
10
Comfortable historic inn in great location
Pros:

I loved my 2 night stay at River Hotel. The convenient location close to rail and busses is excellent. The garden on the river is delightful after a day of exploring. The staff are kind and helpful and serve a delicious breakfast. My room had a comfortable bed and the window opened. The bathroom was in good working order. I was come off of a week walking the Cotswolds Way and staying old inns with lots of stairs and worn but clean interiors. The River house was of the same class. Not shiny and new but delightful!

Cons:

The stairs to room on 3rd floor! Everything else was great!

2026-06-18 via Nuitee
D
Dolph solo_traveller nl
9
Great price quality, good location
Pros:

Great location, good price quality

Cons:

Its a bit of an old school vibe, TV on one person room was tiny and pretty old. Everything is clean and good quality though

2026-06-16 via Nuitee
S
SylviaP02 solo_traveller au
8
Pros:

Staff, very accommodating and friendly.
Breakfast was cooked to perfection

Cons:

Stairs

2026-06-15 via Nuitee
H
Hani solo_traveller sa
8
2026-06-14 via Nuitee