Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel  

Location - quite far from Oxford, but in very nice surroundings, in a quiet village. Quite a good breakfast, many options to choose from, restaurant staff very nice, not very professional though.

We stayed in a Connoisseur room - the standard of the room was definitely not 4 star and it looked nothing like on the website pictures. The furniture looked very cheap, the coffee table and side table were chipped, old armchairs with cheap upholstery, stained carpet, spills on the walls looked as if someone had smashed their drinks on the walls. The room wasn't cleaned properly, there were hairs in the desk drawer, the hair dryer was filthy - smudged with greasy fingers all over, the city guide left for the residents on the coffee table was smudged with yogurt all over and there was a yogurt lid stuck onto it (!) The bathroom was very small and basic for a connoisseur standard, also very dated and cheap looking - think your grandma's bathroom in the eighties. The bathroom doors were smudged on both sides with toothpaste, there was mould and pink bacteria residue around the bath tub and hairs in it. The bath tub's surface was also chipped inside. We were changing rooms after the first night and the reception lady apparently found it very amusing when she informed us that we had to check out of the room at 11 am, leave our luggage at reception and wait till 15pm until the next room is ready (!!!) That's a four star hotel standard indeed! When we complained about the cleanliness she just said "sorry about that, I'll pass it on to the cleaning staff", she was quite impertinent. Again - four star standard indeed! After our last day at the hotel another reception lady told us she was going to talk about it to her manager, they would give us a call etc. but of course that never happened. I would never stay there again, not in a million years. VERY disappointing experience.

Lovely grounds

Unhappy with the quality of service and he room was a bit dated a 'cold'

Pleasant surroundings, easy access to Oxford, good facilities and helpful polite staff

The scenery

The lack of exclusivity, when it was paid for. Breakfast was also an issue, hot food was a heated up buffet, that was not re-freshed until the tray was deplete; so not all the selection was available

The location was lovely, although the weather did not really add. The balcony on the room was also a welcome treat. The service friendly and attentive.

The setting and public areas are very attractive, staff are very attentive

The breakfast is very disappointing, cold and poorly cooked, if this could be improved I would not hesitate to recommend it

Excellent hotel. Near Oxford and a lovely old stone building next to the river in Sandford on Thames. We had one of the older rooms which was great with a lovely big bathroom. The breakfast was standard english buffet but the sausages and bacon were a bit dried up under the lights but you can order a freshly made poached eggs on toast or other from the menu which was better. The hotel is just outside oxford so you can get a bus (116/106) which stops just outside the hotel up til 6pm in the evening into town. Taxis cost about £10 each way. You can also walk into oxford along the thames path which takes about 40 minutes but was a bit muddy in parts after the rain. Recommend this hotel

I enjoyed the feeling of being immediately welcome from staff and setting. Design of reception was outstanding. The spa facilities were nice and clean everything you needed available including staff this was really nice as we were away for our wedding anniversary also being foster carers there was a planning involved to get there, so the need to relax was huge! I would stay again maybe try different room next time. Breakfast was excellent service was great and being run by a lady called(I think) Laniyha, she was so efficient appropriate with staff very welcoming and friendly a valued member of staff.

I didn't like the noise late evening and during the night people talking outside room, banging doors. Just generally noisy keeping me awake for too long therefore not a great night, very tired next day just wanted to go home. A shame really took the enjoyment of our stay. I also had long black hairs inside my towel! Yuk. My only other comment for our room was it seemed like it needed updating a little was feeling a little tired, like I said maybe try different room next time as didn't look like advert and hopefully be quieter. Menu could have more choice they were all on the heavy side.

Beautiful building, fantastic lounge area, good food, riverside, relaxing, great room (room 1). Near to city but in countryside. pool great.Staff very attentive and happy.

only problem was room door key was difficult.

Friendly staff, good location, comfortable room, ability to park at Spires hotel when visiting Oxford.

the room was very comfortable indeed

Excellent, friendly service in a quiet river-side setting.

Tranquil setting by the river. Everything you would expect from a good hotel. Food and facilities excellent.