From its boxy, unimaginative architecture, to its uninspiring airport lounge-style lobby area, there's not a lot to get excited over at The Oxford Hotel. Some effort has been made with the greenery surrounding the property -- pretty floral borders, hanging baskets, and ornamental shrubbery -- but the overall ambiance is lacking in style. Its late 20th-century, plasticky interiors and furnishings seem more like what you'd find at a conference center hub than at a four-star hotel, which The Oxford claims to be. It is unsurprising, then, that much of the hotel's business comes from its conference and event facilities, as well as from corporate guests with meetings in the area. However, tourists on mini-breaks are known to occasionally spend the night.

The hotel is located just off a busy roundabout on the northern outskirts of Oxford, right next to the A34 highway, making it very easily accessible from the M40. Replete with attractions like Ashmolean Museum, Oxford city center is two miles south, or five to 10 minutes away by car or cab, while a local bus takes around 20 minutes to get there. The nearest train station is a bit more than three miles away, while Heathrow Airport is around an hour's drive southeast.

The hotel's 168 guest rooms are spread over just two floors, so many are a bit of a walk from reception. Decor is modern and bright, though it tends to lack much in the way of elegance or character. Large windows do provide lots of natural light, and all rooms have soft armchairs or sofas. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, tea and coffee facilities, and free Wi-Fi, while modern bathrooms provide Gilchrist & Soames toiletries and heated towel racks.

The hotel's restaurant offers an a la carte menu and daily specials in bright and spacious (if a little soulless) surroundings. Make Me A Blush is a fun take on a hotel bar, with grazing boards and signature cocktails, while both the Medio Bar and Cappucino Lounge also provide spaces to unwind with a drink. In terms of on-site dining, The Restaurant offers a dinner menu with bistro fare. An attached health club is free to guests and includes a small pool, sauna, squash courts, and a range of beauty therapies. The 250-space parking lot on-site is also free of charge, as is the Wi-Fi throughout the property.