I have been lucky enough to travel around the country and the globe throughout my 25 years so far on the planet.
In that time I have visited places such as Rome, Havana and New York City but few hotels have compared to the one I stayed in this week.
I live in Oxford and although my flat is homely and cosy, I decided to spend the night at one of the city’s most highly regarded hotels to see the city from a tourist perspective.
The Randolph Hotel on Beaumont Street holds five stars and, after last week’s stay there with my partner Jordyn, it is clear to see why this is the case.
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Upon arriving at the hotel we were greeted by a valet who took the car away and walked us into the main foyer of the building which was originally opened in 1866.
Instantly I was struck by the grandeur and stoicism inside the main entry hall with large banners of Oxford University crests hanging from the high ceiling.
This inclusion of the university branding is due to the Randolph being bought by Hilton in 2019 and being turned into a Graduate Hotel.
Hilton has hotels in classic UK university cities which are themed around educational institutions with a second stay location in Cambridge.
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The academic theming was completely on point with each staff member presented with a student card which explained their career and experience thus far.
Each room key card features a famous Oxford graduate and ours was former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Make of that what you will.
Yet unlike Maggie, I was for turning as I entered the bedroom and noticed just how lovely the décor was as well as how spacious it was.
My head was then fully turned when I noticed what the hotel staff had left especially on the bed for myself and Jordyn.
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Matching robes with our initials printed on as well as a personalised note from Hilton ensured that our stay was off to the perfect start.
The bedroom featured some student hallmarks with a “studying, do not disturb sign” and a notebook with a classic yellow HB pencil.
Alice in Wonderland featured too as a callout to Oxford’s Lewis Carroll and the restaurant downstairs as the bedside lamps featured Alice and the White Rabbit.
The living quarters were divided into a sitting room, a living room and a bathroom which were all well-designed encompassing practicality yet also homeliness.
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A large shower and luxurious bath were available yet the room still felt massive with both inside and plenty of toiletries were provided with a particular favourite being the rum-scented shower gel.
Soon enough it was time for tea and what a meal we had at the hotel’s astonishing built-in restaurant, The Alice.
A marvel in its own right, the Alice in Wonderland-themed food spot features large paintings of the characters and colourful green and pink seating in keeping with the theme.
With a mosaiced floor and great views of the Ashmolean Museum completing the high-ceilinged room, it is safe to say there are not many spots in the city which will give you such a feeling of grandeur.
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Luckily the food matched the quality as Jordyn and I were treated to a three-course meal served alongside a brilliant bottle of Il Barroccio red wine.
To kick things off I had a Haddock and cheddar soufflé before enjoying the rib-eye steak with chips and Oxford Sauce.
This was rounded off by a palette-cleansing sorbet coupled with a rich chocolate peanut bar for dessert.
Flavours were of course at the forefront of each dish but the portions as well as presentation deserve commendation too.
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Light, fluffy and umami, the soufflé let me know what I was in for straight from the bat with the starter leaving me desperate for more as it should.
The steak was medium rare (apologies to those who disagree with my choice) and was one of the better cuts of meat I have eaten.
With a combination of sweet, rich and tart favours, the dessert was quite the explosion and rounded off a truly stellar meal.
The night did not end at the restaurant though as we had to grab a nightcap in one of the most famous bars in the city.
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The Morse Bar situated downstairs represents a site of pilgrimage for many tourists around the world after it featured in ITV’s detective show Inspector Morse and its sequel Lewis.
Cocktails in the drinking spot were aptly named too with Jordyn picking ‘The Last Endeavour’ while I tried ‘The Last Bus to Woodstock’.
The tipples hit the spot and so did the theming in the bar with several photos of Morse actors John Thaw and Kevin Whately dotted around the study-style room.
After enjoying the cosy ambience of the bar, which was also a favourite of Morse author Colin Dexter, we retired for the night and had one of the best nights of sleep in our lives.
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We returned to The Alice for a breakfast buffet which simply had it all from waffles and pancakes to yogurts and pastries to a full English with all the trimmings.
Tea, coffee and juices were available and the quality of the food was undeniable when in comparison to previous buffets over the years.
There were no congealed scrambled eggs or empty containers, staff paid diligent attention to ensure everything was picture-perfect for each guest.
In conclusion, our stay at The Randolph was genuinely sublime and we were made to feel special and well looked after throughout.
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From the room to the restaurant and everything in between, the hotel nailed everything creating the perfect mix of all things Oxford.
Giving a taste of the historic university, the endeavours of Morse and views of the stunning spires, The Randolph ensures that guests are given the full taste of our city.
In my opinion, this is the best hotel in Oxford.
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