Oxford Spires Four Pillars
Abingdon Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, 0X1 4PS
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#14 of 21
expert-rated hotels in Oxford- Recommended for:
- Business travellers, Families with younger children, Mature travellers, Escaping the crowds, Nature / wildlife, No fuss, Relaxation
Best for Families - Expert review of Oxford Spires Four Pillars
A convenient business hotel close to Oxford and with access to the Thames towpath.
The Four Pillars hospitality business was set up in the 1970s by a group of entrepreneurs who found themselves sitting in a restaurant with four pillars. Four similar pillars decorate the lobby of this low-rise hotel built in 1999 on the site of a local farm. Local stone facing on some of the buildings is a deliberate echo of the old farm.
The hotel is more colourful than many similar large hotels that cater predominantly for business market. Moreover it also doubles well as a family hotel at the weekend. Free parking makes the Oxford Spires Four Pillars doubly attractive for anyone touring the area.
Location:
Within the Ring Road, south of the Thames and just off the Abingdon Road. A long driveway past the field of a horse sanctuary isolates the hotel from Oxford traffic. Behind the hotel is a footpath down to the River Thames - I thought this a real plus. It’s a 15-minute walk, maximum, to Folly Bridge and the beginning of the tourist sights.
Bedrooms:
There are 170 bedrooms in total - 128 “Classic” double rooms painted blue and 36 “Connoisseur” rooms which are larger and more individual. Some have four-poster beds, others have balconies or patios. There are also six suites.
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Public areas:
The bright, tall lobby leads on to Deacon’s Bar and Deacon’s Lounge where a pianist plays on Friday and Saturday nights. Beyond that the dining room, Deacon’s Restaurant, is pink-tiled and well-lit but otherwise unremarkable.
Eating and drinking:
Casual dining in the Deacon’s Lounge (10am – 10.30pm) offers just about everything from a morning cappuccino to Afternoon Tea (with whipped rather than clotted cream), from sandwiches and baguettes through to minute steaks. Of more interest is the restaurant which asks for customers’ patience as all meals are cooked to order. Among the dinner delicacies are ostrich steak (cooked “pink”), red snapper with caper salsa, pork belly with fondant potato and venison burger. Three courses cost £26.95. On Sundays the restaurant offers a three-course carvery lunch for £14.95 pp.
Leisure facilities:
Willows Club has a large indoor pool (decorated with four pillars) a steam room, sauna and well-equipped gym. Beauty treatments are also available.
Service:
The staff wear navy blue suits and blue ties and are amiable. The restaurant can feel understaffed at busy times.
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Who stays there:
During the week this is predominantly a business hotel but the semi-rural setting and relaxed atmosphere makes it good for young families too. The hotel is popular for weddings and does not encourage coach parties.
Price advice:
Basic rooms are called Classic and the next grade up is Connoisseur. Both styles are inoffensive and comfortable. There are also some suites with greater individuality.
Continental Breakfast is £9.95pp extra and Full English £12.95pp. WiFi is complimentary throughout the hotel.
Pros:
Convenient for ring road and motorways
Good for business travellers and families too
Free parking
Cons:
South of the river is the less interesting side of the city from a tourist point of view
Some distance from the city centre
More information on Oxford Spires Four Pillars:
- Price from:
- Type:
- Hotel
- Address:
- Abingdon Road, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, 0X1 4PS
- Amenities:
- Room Service, High-Speed Internet, Fitness Centre, Restaurant, Parking, Swimming Pool, Business Centre
- Neighbourhood:
- South Oxford
