The Randolph

We stayed at the Randolph overnight. I felt for the price the Randolph did not deliver that extra special something (say compared to The Landmark in London). We had spacious and well decorated contemporary room. Reception was very small and dark retaining its initial gothic intent.

Breakfast was good; a great selection of continental breakfast and good options for a cooked breakfast. Service was excellent.

The Spa at the Randolph cost guests an extra £15 to use (on top of B&B £224 and parking for £26). At check in they said we had to book the SPA; first availability was 5.30pm. We shared the intimate spa with another couple.

The Spa "looked" great but its facilities were limited. There was a:
-cool steam room
-warm steam room
-warm sauna
-hot sauna
-shower with 3 settings
-room to get some ice
-Jacuzzi

The decor was fantastic, the lighting and tiling was to a very high quality and staff were friendly. We had no treatments (none were offered; assumed was due to the time of day?). As the Jacuzzi was broken they reduced the price to £7.

The MINI gym had about 5 exercise items plus dumb bells and a bench. Headphones were provided but mine were soaking with sweat!!!

The hotel claim in it’s bedroom literature that this spa is one of the top 30 spas in the world, rated by The Independent. Maybe the comment was made in a different context, for its décor maybe, or its treatments or maybe they missed some words out? “One of the top 30 city centre basement hotel spas in the world”?

Having been to Eden Hall in Nottinghamshire The SPA at the Randolph is significantly lacking in facilities but makes up for it in its decor and its marketing.

Last Don (Unverified), 10/03/08

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I was surprised to read this review as I have regularly used the spa at the hotel which is the best I have ever been to. They do a great spa day package including lunch and I adore the food served in the restaurant. All the staff are very pleasant and friendly and the restaurant manager is great fun! My mum is a regular visitor for tea and wouldn't go anywhere else in Oxford!

VP (DI User), 23/05/07

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Recently visited the Randolph in order to ascertain whether or not to send our College's guests to stay there. The rooms are pleasant, if rather small, and have recently been refurbished, thankfully retaining the Arts and Crafts decor. The lunch, however, was awful - food bland and predictable, the absurd size of the portions seemingly an attempt to compensate for the lack of interest. The service was absentminded to say the least - it took us three hours to get out of there. Needless to say, this did not convey the impression that the Randolph would be a suitable place to send business guests for lunch. I certainly shan't be returning either.

TW (Unverified), 08/05/07

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