Overview

This historical 15th century property, alongside the river Thames, is just a 10 minute walk from Oxford city centre, built by a local builder. The East Wyke farmhouse on its property dates back to the 15th century. Owned by Intercontinental Hotel Group, now in its 20th year, where this 181 room Hotel has been refurbished and rebranded to become a very modern and stylish hotel. It stands close to the river Thames, along which a path from the hotel will take you to the river itself, which is then reasonably close to historical Oxford. It still retains its warm Cotswold stone effect, while inside, it has a comfortable, cosy contemporary deco throughout, with a nice stylish Deacons restaurant, a wonderful health club which has a Spa, steam room, Jacuzzi, a fair sized pool, a modern gym, and treatment rooms. Dining here is a pleasure, and you could include a slice of an orange marmalade chocolate tart, which honours Frank Coopers marmalade made in Oxford. Do take a drink at the Deakon lounge. Walking along the path to the river Thames, where opposite is the mouth of the river Cherwell as it enters the Thames, and Oxford college boathouse is close by, so you may even see the team training for the boat race. OUR REVIEW Approaching through Oxford the hotel was a bit difficult to find, and a close eye on the sat NAV was required to make sure we did not enter forbidden bus lanes and a hefty fine, but then quickly out on the outskirts we arrived at its gateway (photo 1). A short pleasant driveway (2) with the inviting looking hotel ahead of you, and a disabled driver should follow the signs for reception and parking. Two Disabled parking bays stand right outside the attractive hotels reception entrance (3).A plain simple reception desk awaits, (4) AND DO REGISTER YOUR CAR at reception desk, or you will be fined. The first area to look for will be Deakons restaurant (5) a spotlessly clean, modern restaurant, although quite plain (6). Wide open spaces around the bar, (7) where you can order lunch or drinks, although staff will come up to your seat to take orders. A nice relaxing seating area to enjoy your drink or a snack (8) and when lunch eventually arrives, it was very enjoyable (9). Alongside the bar is the exit for the terrace garden (10) a very pleasant area, lovely to relax there on a warm sunny day (11). Opposite the reception desk, is the unusual and attractive entrance for the toilets (12) and ample room in the disabled toilet, which is shared by ladies and gents, (13) although ladies will have to enter through the marked door for Gents to use disabled toilet. You will find grab rails and pull cord in this very clean and well looked after toilet. Behind reception desk is a convenient lift, right in the centre of the hotel (14) which will take you up to the first fooor corridors for bedrooms (15) and three disabled rooms, which unfortunately are along corridors and into another corridor (16) which is quite a push and walk for your carer. The doorway for disabled room 19 is slightly wider than other rooms (17) which we were unable to see this time for you. OUR FINAL THOUGHTS. Do enter sat NAV details for this hotel, OX1 4PS, and see if you can arrive other than driving through Oxford itself, there’s nothing for you to see anyway, as traffic are now kept out of the city centre, and it saves you worrying about entering areas that are awaiting with a hefty fine. It’s an attractive , very clean, modern hotel, well worth a visit, and certainly wheelchair friendly. We would not hesitate to recommend the hotel to you, especially for a pop in visit and drink or two, before moving on.

Transport & Parking

We arrived by driving through Oxford, but suggest you set sat NAV to OX1 4PS and try to arrive without entering city centre, then it will be easy to find hotel. On arriving at hotel follow the main short drive and reception directions, which will take you straight to main hotel entrance.

Access

IF A POWER CHAIR USER, DO READ Vixthestar, London, uk review. There are disabled bays right outside hotels entrance, which is on the flat, and then, throughout the hotel everywhere is on the flat for you. This is an ideal wheelchair friendly hotel, and we did not see any steps that would effect you. The lift is handy and three disabled bedrooms are available on first floor. We could see and do everything we needed to see, as all on the flat.

Toilets

IF A POWER CHAIR USER, DO READ. Vixthestar, London.uk. Review Nice fair sized toilet, you will get all chairs inside and be able to spin around. The disabled toilet door is signed, but ladies need to go in same door as marked for gents, but of course it’s a different door once inside, a bit off putting though. The toilet is very clean, tidy, and well looked after, with grab rails and pull cord.

Staff

We only saw a few staff members, but all very friendly and helpful.

Photos