Bedrooms are inspired by literature, with nods to Lewis Carroll and Oscar Wilde (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
The Randolph has been transformed in recent years with a blend of collegiate and literary-inspired interior design details
Highlights
- Classic and whimsical interior design
- Friendly staff
- Central location
- Nods to the building’s heritage throughout
- Unique wide-ranging food and cocktail menu
The Randolph Hotel by Graduate review
Since 1866, the Randolph Hotel has been a part of the fabric of Oxford, though has been transformed in recent years with a blend of collegiate and literary-inspired, whimsical interior design. The hotel was acquired in 2019 by Graduate, part of the Hilton family, which has a portfolio of hotels in university towns – two of which are in the UK (one in Oxford and the other in Cambridge).
The hotel’s pointed, gothic exterior is an instantly recognisable landmark of the city, located on the corner of Beaumont Street opposite the Ashmolean Museum. Step through the grand entrance into a warm and inviting lobby, adorned with colourful tapestries of Oxford’s College Crests which hang at the heart of the grand spiral staircase winding its way up to the rooms.
The Randolph draws inspiration from its historic surroundings, paying homage to the famous alumni of nearby Oxford University including Oscar Wilde and Lewis Carroll. You might recognise the famous lobby bar from the Inspector Morse television series, having starred as the backdrop for many scenes. It’s here, they say, that author Colin Dexter sat at the bar and penned much of the original book series. The bar itself is a cosy nook, set beneath a grand arched ceiling and sparkling chandeliers.
Traditional wood-panelled walls are decorated with a selection of photographs of John Thaw who played the fictional detective, while the surrounding space offers an assortment of armchairs to cosy up with a cocktail.
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You might recognise the famous Morse Bar from the Inspector Morse television series (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
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The Drawing Room is both kitschy and quintessentially British (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
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The exterior of The Randolph is instantly recognisable as part of the city’s landmarks (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
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Bubblegum pink seating adds fun and flamboyance to The Alice restaurant (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
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The far end of The Alice features a grand bar area (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
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The Drawing room provides a quiet spot to sit and enjoy a cocktail (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
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Traditional wood panelled walls are decorated with a selection of photographs of John Thaw (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
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The Randolph Hotel has been a part of Oxford since 1866 (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
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The Snug feels more akin to a private member’s club (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
Though the hotel may not be huge, there’s a rabbit warren of communal spaces to relax, and on weekends the ground floor seems to be bursting with life. This is largely thanks to the pink-tinged Alice restaurant, a nod to Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel, as well as the hotel’s popular afternoon tea menu which can be enjoyed in both the main restaurant and the ornate Drawing Room. The Drawing Room was one of our favourite spaces in the hotel, all blue-striped walls and a scattering of candy-hued armchairs and sofas. It’s the perfect combination of colourful kitsch and quintessential British charm.
The Randolph also welcomes guests looking for relaxation to enjoy the Wellness Centra and Spa tucked away in the cellar of the hotel. The spa offers a menu of spa treatments in partnership with Germaine de Cappucini, along with a Thermal Suite with a hot tub, saunas, and steam room.
The check-in desk is at the heart of the lobby, backed by arched shelving tucked into the main staircase. Getting checked in is a smooth and easy process, with staff who seem genuinely happy to be talking with you and will remember you even after a busy day. They’ll ask about your day and offer any tips or advice you need to enhance your time in the City of Dreaming Spires. Pay attention to your key card – it’s made to look like the student card of some of the famous alumni who walked the corridors of Oxford’s famous colleges (we got Oscar Wilde).
The Rooms
Rating: 5/5
The Randolph Hotel by Graduate is home to 151 bedrooms, each one promising a cosy hideaway that is especially delightful to return to on a cold wintery day (as was our experience). Bedrooms aren’t identical, though are certainly siblings, all featuring the same variation of stripe or swirled wallpaper, nods to Alice in Wonderland and kitsch, clashing Victorian features.
The main difference between rooms is the size, though families should be pleased to know there are 10 inter-connecting rooms to choose from, along with two fully accessible and step-free rooms.
For our stay, we checked in The Oxford Suite, a corner suite akin to our own apartment in the city. The suite is made up of two main rooms, a vast lounge area which leads through to the bedroom, complete with its own study corner.
Bedrooms aren’t identical, though are certainly siblings, all featuring the same variation of stripe or swirled wallpaper, nods to Alice in Wonderland and kitsch, clashing Victorian feature
Rooms have been overhauled in recent years and things feel fresh, without taking away from some of the older quirks that serve as a reminder of the building’s long-standing history. There’s still the odd squeaky floorboard and a space heater was added to our room to ensure we didn’t get cold (as older buildings often can in the winter). And though much of the interior design gives a nod to the past, there are still plenty of modern amenities to make use of, including HDTV complete with smartphone casting, an espresso machine and a mini fridge offering complimentary water and soft drinks.
One of our favourite features of the room was the Alice in Wonderland-themed lamps which sit on either side of the vast king-sized bed, one starring the main protagonist of the tale, the other featuring the famed white rabbit. Throw pillows and a chunky knit throw add the right amount of cosiness, and you can rest assured of a peaceful night’s sleep. Despite the suite having several windows looking out to the Ashmolean Museum and surrounding area, we weren’t disturbed by any exterior noise.
Then, of course, there is the bathroom, featuring both a shower and bath. Moody dark green walls contrast with black-and-white tiled flooring, combining classic elements with modern decor.
Throw pillows and a chunky knit throw add the right amount of cosiness (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
Dining and Drinking
How does The Randolph compare to other UK hotels?
Rating: 5/5
There are four dining and bar areas to choose from in the lower levels of The Randolph, each with its own unique draw.
There’s the aforementioned Morse Bar, where the crime-seeking character came to life. Here you can sit at the bar or sink into a cosy armchair and select a cocktail from the extensive menu, where drinks honour the hotel’s main themes.
Perhaps you’ll opt for the Morse & Chandon, a detective-themed mix of Chandon Garden Spritz and orange, or maybe the Alice in Wonderland-inspired Queen of Hearts rhubarb and ginger cocktail is more your speed.
If you want to enjoy your cocktail somewhere a little more private, tucked away at the rear of the hotel is The Snug. The windowless hideaway is home to a collection of eclectic cushions, ornate rugs and a curved crimson velvet seating area that feels somewhat like a private member’s club.
The Alice is The Randolph’s main restaurant, which proved to be popular at all hours of the day during our stay.
It really does offer something for everyone too. When we arrived on Saturday afternoon when we arrived, the restaurant was hosting an afternoon tea party for a group of giggling little girls, and by evening was hosting several chic candle-lit dinners.
From outside, the sparkling chandeliers, Alice in Wonderland watercolours and candy floss pink banquet seating look enticing and magical, but it’s even better once inside. A grand bar area, intricately patterned marble flooring and a ceiling woven with floral fabric add country-manor sophistication to the whimsy. “You either love it or hate it,” the hotel manager told us. Well, we certainly loved it.
Though afternoon tea seemed to be the main draw by day (if you visit this Christmas the hotel has a special menu, especially for the season) by night The Alice serves a well-rounded seasonal menu of ‘contemporary British’ dishes – including a great selection for vegetarian diners too!
Nibbles include Marinated Nocellara olives and moreish Sourdough bread just begging to be lathered in salted butter. There’s a great selection of fish dishes and meats from the grill, all served with Koffmann fries and green salad. Whatever you decide to order – it’s definitely worth treating yourself to a side of the winter truffle mash this season.
Dessert is not to be missed if you can save a little extra room – the seasonal sorbet selection offers a unique range of flavours including pear and passionfruit.
By morning, The Alice transforms from a romantic candlelight retreat to a bright and airy location to start the day. There’s a well-rounded buffet comprising hot and continental options, as well as a selection of fresh juices and hot drinks.
If good food and special surroundings aren’t enough, sparkling service is surely the cherry on top. Staff throughout The Alice, as well as The Randolph’s other bar areas, are thoughtful and friendly without being overbearing.
The Alice is the perfect mix of sophistication and whimsy (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
Amenities
- Bar and restaurant
- Spa
- Room service
- Meeting Rooms
- Accessible rooms
- Valet parking
- Dog friendly
- Family-friendly
- Free WiFi
Location
Rating: 5/5
Whether you’ve come to Oxford to soak up history and architecture, or simply just do a bit of shopping, you really can’t find a better location in Oxford than this, slap back in the heart of the city, yet promising a totally tranquil stay. The Randolph stands directly opposite the entrance to the Ashmolean Museum, with the Oxford Playhouse just a few steps along from the hotel’s front door.
The historic Oxford Covered Market, home to an array of independent shops, cafes, and bars including the 100-year old Browns Café, is less than a 10 minutes walk away. For bigger name retailers and restaurants, Westgate Oxford can also be reached on foot in 10 minutes.
Bodleian Library and the iconic Palladian-style Radcliffe Camera Library are a similarly short walk away.
Oxford train station can easily be reached in 12-minutes on foot or a four minute taxi ride. If you are driving to the hotel, The Randolph offers valet parking.
The Randolph is located directly opposite the entrance to the Ashmolean Museum (Image: The Randolph by Graduate / Hilton)
Value For Money
Rating: 4/5
Double rooms start from £229 per night for room only, though prices fluctuate depending on your dates and how far in advance you book. Find rooms and book direct on the Hilton website. Or, compare deals and prices for a stay at The Randolph Hotel by Graduate with Booking.com or Hotels.com. Breakfast can be added on for an additional cost.
If you book now you can snap up as much as 20% off weekend stays as part of Hilton’s winter sale. The brand has discounts on weekend stays across a range of selected Hilton properties across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including Graduate by Hilton properties, when booked by January 28th for stays before April 21st, 2025.
Members of Hilton Honors – the free-to-join guest loyalty programme – can benefit from greater discounts and unlock exclusive perks. Launching on January 1 and running through to April 30, 2025, Hilton Honors members can earn 2X Bonus Points on every stay, which can be redeemed for free nights, exclusive experiences, and more.
Final Verdict
The Randolph by Graduate
Beaumont St, Oxford, OX1 2LN
Telephone: 0344 879 9132
Website: www.Hilton.com
The Randolph by Graduate offers a quintessentially British hotel stay with a twist, paying homage to the location’s rich history while adding fun and flamboyant elements.
Attention to detail is one of the hotel’s standout features, with nods to the hotel’s key themes at almost every turn, and the staff who make an effort to remember your name even during the busiest of afternoons.
Though the hotel is part of the Hilton family, it offers a unique experience that feels more like an independent boutique stay than part of a global chain.
The well-thought-out interior design creates a warm and homely environment, while the pet and family-friendly rooms mean that it’s a stay the whole family can enjoy.
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