The Store luxury hotel
Unique Oxford retreatImportant Information: This article is for general informational purposes only. All hotels & products featured on our website are independently selected by our editors & contributors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Please refer to our full terms and conditions.
Destination: Oxford
Vacation: City break
Seeking: Relaxing luxurious base to explore Oxford
Highlight: Stunning design and seasonal details
We stayed at The Store in Oxford just before Christmas and it felt like stepping into a magical wintry novel. A mix of chic but relaxed contemporary design blended with plenty of nods to the building’s iconic past as Boswell & Co. department store, this hotel inspires wonder, escape and indulgent rest.
The little details always make a stay special for us and this is something The Store, Oxford does exceptionally well; from the vinyl record player and gin station in the room, to the ever-changing shop window display, where the hotel partners with local organisations to create some stunning visuals (there was a Narnia theme created with the Bodleian library when we were there).
Oxford itself is a beautiful city layered with so much history, amazing architecture and literature. When Boswells reopened as The Store in 2024 we were keen to visit. A boutique luxury hotel, with a highly-rated restaurant, rooftop bar, co-working bar and spa it sounded like the perfect base to explore the city from.
Its 101 rooms, and many of the communal areas, are inspired by the building’s history, and the approach and entrance are grandiose. Arrival felt like an event and everyone at The Store couldn’t have been more welcoming. There was, rightly so, an air of pride about what has been created and an eagerness to share the craftsmanship and thought that went into its design which we loved. Scroll down to find out more about our stay.
For more UK luxury travel inspiration you might also like to read our features on the grand Bovey Castle in Devon and our foodie guide to what to do in the Cotswolds and where to stay.
Book your stay
Click on the buttons below if you’re ready to check dates, details, and pricing and book your stay at The Store, Oxford on Expedia. Scroll down to find out more about this luxury resort.
- Style 100%
- History 100%
- Luxury 100%
- Food 100%
Best food & drink
1. Treadwell Restaurant
Cosy and chic Treadwell Restaurant is a fantastic stand-alone attraction in Oxford, and a gorgeous built-in dining experience within The Store, Oxford hotel. The walls are covered with artwork and reminders of the buildings history which give the interior an eclectic character, while the tables and open kitchen design provide a relaxed yet glamorous setting. We had breakfast, lunch and dinner here and each meal was delicious and wonderfully presented. The chicken, cider & rosemary steamed suet pudding with sauteed sprouts was a particular highlight.
2. Rooftop Bar
The rooftop bar at The Store, Oxford is epic. Sprawling vistas across Oxford’s historic rooftops from all angles, and an intimate outdoor area which must be particularly spectacular in warmer weather make for an incredible backdrop for cocktails. Arguably the jewel in The Store’s weighty crown.
3. Main Bar
A social space where co-working, friend-meets, dates and gatherings of all kinds are encouraged. The main bar is to the left as you walk in, and offers an exceptional space for social gatherings, to just take a time out from city exploring, and get some work done or just take a time out and people watch. We found ourselves regularly drawn to this area during our stay and by the end it felt homely and familiar, a quality we really appreciate during any hotel visit.
Stay
We stayed in the Balliol College Junior Suite, an impressive, stately-like room with a bright white interior offset with carefully placed furniture of different hues of grey, giving a chiaroscuro effect, adding to the sense of place and surrounding art, literature and history of Oxford itself. The sweeping views above bustling Broad Street further helped make the stay unmistakably ‘Oxford’ and the vinyl record player with blues rock records and beautifully prepared gin station were really nice touches to make the suite feel special. The bathroom was also gorgeous, complete with a large opulent tub and walk-in shower.
Explore
There are too many amazing attractions in Oxford to list them all here, but we recommend doing some research before your trip to pick out your favourites, and we can happily recommend The Store, Oxford as a fabulous base from which to explore. The Ashmolean, Britain’s oldest public museum, meandering past some of Oxford’s beautiful and historic university colleges (or going on a tour), punting along the river, going on a ghost trail, and visiting the world-famous Bodleian Libraries would be high on our list.
Relax
The spa was a real stand out at The Store, Oxford for us and we happily could have spent longer here during our stay and we’d return just for another visit. Its calming aura, contemporary and beautifully designed steam room and sauna, and the fact it’s low down in the building made a real escape. The gym is also worth a mention – it’s small but stunning, and up there with one of the most aesthetically pleasing gyms we’ve ever been to. A gym visit for us should be about escapism and relaxation, switching off for a workout and connecting with your body and thoughts. We’re already looking forward to another visit.
Be inspired
Browse all the amazing places to stay recently added to the Wild Bay Collection and find your dream vacation, and if you’ve stayed somewhere unforgettable that you think we should showcase contact us with your recommendation.
The Laslett, UK
This is my third time at beautiful townhouse hotel The Laslett and I know it won’t be my last. Tucked along a row of classic white Victorian townhouses just behind the buzz of Notting Hill Gate, this boutique property feels like an exquisitely curated London residence (the kind you dream about watching on Grand Designs).
Capitolo Riviera, Italy
Perched above the Ligurian Sea, just outside the historic heart of Genoa, Capitolo Riviera feels like a modern sanctuary. This dreamy hotel is all about considered luxury, where every detail feels intentional as well as soothing. A thoughtful, unique and mesmerising place to stay.
Skylark Treehouse, Hesleyside Huts, UK
From its iconic fairytale turret to its tail-like elevated walkway leading to the welcoming deck with pretty flower planters, rocking chairs and a large gleaming copper bath, every detail of this magical treehouse borders on fantasy. There aren’t many places that can inspire such dramatic wonder on arrival, and throughout a stay – Hesleyside Huts is most definitely one of them.
Follow us
Find more luxury travel inspiration and amazing places to stay across our social media channels. Join the collective and tag @wildbayco in the posts and comments of the places you would love to see in our collection.
