Name: River Hotel
Address: 17 Botley Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire
Price range: US$183+
Rating: 7.9

Key details

About the Hotel

17 Botley Road, Oxford

Less than a five minute walk to central Oxford attractions

Great

8.2

8.5

/10

4.5

Loved by River Hotel guests

Excellent breakfast buffet

Friendly reception

Convenient parking

Comfortable bed

Pros

Free on-site parking with CCTV security, ideal for guests driving to Oxford.

Five-minute walking distance to central attractions, including Oxford Rail Station and the Ashmolean Museum.

Friendly staff offering local tips and personalized service.

Cons

No spa, gym, or on-site dining beyond breakfast.

Older building features like uneven stairs and narrow corridors may challenge guests with mobility issues.

Select your room type

River Hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Single Room Private Bathroom Non En-suite
2 persons
100 sq. feet
1 Single bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Double Room Private Bathroom Non En-suite
2 persons
130 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details
Standard Double Room Ensuite Bathroom
2 persons
130 sq. feet
1 Double bed
Bathtub
Heating
room details

Show all rooms

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Facilities

River Hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Facilities: Very good

7.7/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Parking
Safe deposit box
VIP check-in/ -out
Concierge desk
No pets allowed
Security
Luggage storage
Smoke detectors
Electric vehicle charging station
Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

Tennis court

Services

Housekeeping

Dining

Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Children

Cots
Board games

Spa & Leisure

Garden area
Leisure/ TV room

Room features

Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Heating
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

River Hotel Location

17 Botley Road, Oxford

Map view

City landmarks

Museum

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

5000 ft

Museum

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

5000 ft

Castle

Oxford Castle

3600 ft

Museum

Pitt Rivers Museum

5000 ft

Landmark

Bodleian Library

1.1 mi

Market

The Covered Market Oxford

3600 ft

Church

Christ Church

1.1 mi

University

Bridge of Sighs

1.1 mi

Botanical Garden

Oxford Botanic Garden

1.1 mi

Museum

Museum of the History of Science

3600 ft

Landmark

Sheldonian Theatre

3600 ft

Tower

Carfax Tower

3600 ft

Landmark

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

1.1 mi

University

University colleges

1.1 mi

University

University of Oxford

5000 ft

Landmark

Christ Church Meadow

1.1 mi

Nearby

University

Worcester College

1800 ft

Restaurants

Tumbling Bay Cafe

1100 ft

Botley Road West Oxford Community Centre

Platform 5 Oxford

1400 ft

Park End Street

Yellow Submarine

1600 ft

12 Park End Street

Fish4Lunch

3100 ft

Ferry Mills Osney Mead Unit 7

The Four Candles

2500 ft

51-53 George Street

The White Rabbit

3000 ft

21 Friars Entry

The Swan & Castle

3000 ft

Castle Street

Shawa

2800 ft

Queens Street Westgate Mall

Explore Oxford

Explore Oxford's Charm

Oxford Castle

13 minutes' walk

Historical castle dating back to the 11th century, offering guided tours and beautiful views of the city.

The Covered Market Oxford

13 minutes' walk

Vibrant market featuring local produce, artisanal goods, and charming cafes, with a unique atmosphere.

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

19 minutes' walk

One of the world's oldest museums, showcasing art and archaeology, with free admission and special exhibits.

Pitt Rivers Museum

19 minutes' walk

Fascinating ethnographic museum displaying diverse artifacts; free entry and great for all ages.

Biking along Oxford Canal

10 minutes' drive

Scenic cycling trails along the canal; bike rentals available nearby for an enjoyable outdoor experience.

Yoga at Universal Yoga

12 minutes' walk

Relaxing yoga classes suitable for all skill levels. Check schedules for sessions that fit your stay.

Tumbling Bay Cafe

4 minutes' walk

Casual cafe serving fresh, locally sourced meals; family-friendly with a cozy atmosphere.

Platform 5 Oxford

5 minutes' walk

Welcoming bistro offering hearty meals and craft beers, perfect for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

Yellow Submarine

6 minutes' walk

Vibrant eatery with a focus on health; great vegetarian options and community vibe.

Fish4Lunch

12 minutes' walk

Local favorite known for fresh fish and chips; casual dining and takeout available.

Sheldonian Theatre

13 minutes' walk

Stunning 17th-century theatre hosting concerts and lectures; enjoy the unique architecture.

The O2 Academy Oxford

18 minutes' walk

Popular venue for live music featuring various genres; check schedules for upcoming events.

Getting around

City Centre
Oxford 12 min · 3300 ft
Airports
Gloucestershire (GLO) 108 min · 44.7 mi
London Heathrow (LHR) 125 min · 51.5 mi
Bus
Bus stop 3 min · 700 ft

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Property information and rules

Check-in

from 14:00-21:00

Check-out

until 11 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the hotel rooms for free.

Breakfast

A full breakfast is served at the price of GBP 15.0 per person.

Children & extra beds

There are no cots provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are not allowed.

Languages

German, Italian

Number of rooms:

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about River Hotel from previous guests about their experience.

Review summary

Based on recent reviews

The River Hotel enjoys a superb location, conveniently situated near the rail station, making it easy to explore Oxford. Guests consistently praise the excellent breakfast, often highlighting the fresh fruit and cooked options, served in a dining room with scenic views. While some guests have noted that the decor appears a bit dated, many appreciate the on-site parking and proximity to local pubs, allowing for pleasant walks in the area.

Review score

Based on 6 verified reviews

7.9 /10

Very good

100%

Recommend

Paid Wi-Fi

10.0/10

Location

9.3/10

Facilities

7.7/10

Value for money

8.0/10

Pros

Excellent location

Helpful staff

Comfortable bed

Great breakfast

Cons

Bathroom mold

Poor WiFi

Ethan from Canada

Single

Standard Single Room Ensuite Bathroom

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 13, 2026

7/10

clean facilities breakfast options thoughtful staff old building interior design improper processing

the breakfast options were varied, and i found the staff to be thoughtful. the facilities were super clean. the breakfast had a great choice, and it was very well cooked.

i found the building and interior to be a bit old. during the reservation process, i received many emails requesting data. upon arrival, none of this data was processed properly.

0 Helpful

Victor from France

Single

Standard Double Room Ensuite Bathroom

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: February 06, 2026

6/10

stale smoke unpleasant smell

The staff were helpful. They sorted out a minor issue with my room quickly.

The room i got, a 'standard double room ensuite bathroom', had a weird smell. It seemed like stale smoke, and i couldn't get rid of it despite opening the window, it was really unpleasant!

0 Helpful

Jackson from United Kingdom

Single

standard single room ensuite bathroom

4 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 21, 2026

9/10

excellent breakfast scenic view charming touch

the breakfasts were excellent (especially the kippers!). the hotel has a scenic view of the river thames from the dining room. i found a teapot with tea, coffee and biscuits in my room, a charmed touch.

the building and interior seemed slightly dated.

0 Helpful

Frederick from United Kingdom

Business traveller

Standard Double Room Ensuite Bathroom

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: January 13, 2026

9.3/10

solid stay near the centre

private parking helpful staff satisfying breakfast

I appreciated having private car parking. the staff was helpful. a very satisfying breakfast was served. the location was great. Lots to do nearby.

i found the bathroom lacked proper heating. this made it quite cold.

Facilities

9/10

this hotel provides convenient amenities, it has free parking arriving by car and includes complimentary breakfast, a very useful feature when planning your daily activities.

Rooms

8/10

the standard double room had ensuite bathroom. the room was clean upon arrival. i found the bed provided suitable comfort. the tv offered access to many channels.

Location

10/10

the hotel is well situated. it is near the train station. i appreciated the easy walk to main attractions. the area was quiet at night.

Service

10/10

the staff was friendly. they helped me get my luggage into the cab. i was greeted immediately. the service was fast.

0 Helpful

Victor from United Kingdom

Couple

Standard Double Room Ensuite Bathroom

3 nights in November 2025

Reviewed: December 02, 2025

9/10

a romantic escape by the river

warm welcome on-site parking good breakfast

i loved how close it was to everything. the staff gave me such a warm welcome. i found the on-site parking such a boon, especially given how tricky parking can be. the breakfast room had a wonderful view of the thames, a good start to each day.

0 Helpful

Sean from Ireland

Single

Standard Double Room Ensuite Bathroom

3 nights in June 2026

Reviewed: July 18, 2025

7/10

warm plates fresh fruit lukewarm shower dusty fan

The breakfast included warm plates. I found fresh fruit served separately a nice touch. The location is also good close to the train station. Free car parking was available.

The shower was only lukewarm. Hot water ran out for a bath. Windows were sealed shut. I found that there was dust on the fan.

0 Helpful

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