Malmaison Oxford, Oxford - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

Book and save

up to 10%

compared to Booking.com

Key details

About the Hotel

3 Oxford Castle, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 1AY

Malmaison Oxford, a 4-star boutique hotel housed in a converted Victorian prison, stands behind defensive stone walls 0.5 miles from Oxford center. The Exercise Yard offers al fresco dining and deck chair relaxation, while high-speed WiFi and cutting-edge technology equip the meeting spaces.

Historic Cell Accommodations

Spacious bedrooms combine three former cells - two for living space and one for an en-suite bathroom with power shower. The original cell doors and window bars remain, while rooms at Malmaison feature luxurious beds, super-fast WiFi, and mood lighting.

Prison-Turned-Brasserie Dining

The Oxford brasserie, set in former prison quarters, serves modern British cuisine with local ingredients. Breakfast includes home-baked pastries, fresh fruits, and an array of hot dishes, while dinner offers signature dishes with wine pairings.

Atmospheric Bar Setting

Chez Mal Bar provides indoor and courtyard seating with an extensive cocktail menu and globally-sourced wines. The bar serves casual fare including buffalo wings, fish finger wraps, and the classic Mal Burger.

Central Oxford Location

Located 46.5 miles from Gloucestershire, Malmaison Oxford positions guests near Oxford's cultural landmarks. The property stands 0.5 miles from Oxford Station, with the Ashmolean Museum and University colleges within walking distance.

View all

Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Junior Suite

Max:

2 persons

36 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Coffee machine

room details

Check Prices

Standard Double Room

Max:

2 persons

18 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Standard Cell Double

Max:

2 persons

20 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Shower

Heating

room details

Check Prices

Show all roomsLess

Price and Room Availability Calendar

Check availability and prices for your dates now!

Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Centre

Oxford400 m

Airports

Gloucestershire (GLO) 73.6 km

London Heathrow (LHR) 78.2 km

Bus

Bus stop100 m

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Wi-Fi

Parking

GBP 34 per day

Luggage storage

24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Paid parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Guest Parking

Electric kettle

Services

Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Dry cleaning
Welcome drink

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots

Spa & Leisure

Garden area

Room features

Heating
Sitting area
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Self-catering

Electric kettle

Media

Flat-screen TV
AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

3 Oxford Castle, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 1AY

Map view

street view

3 Oxford Castle, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 1AY

City landmarks

Museum

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

1.3 km

Museum

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

730 m

Museum

Pitt Rivers Museum

1.4 km

University

Bridge of Sighs

930 m

High St

University Church of St Mary the Virgin

760 m

Museum

Museum of the History of Science

980 m

Botanical Garden

Oxford Botanic Garden

1.2 km

Bodleian Library Broad Street

Bodleian Library

860 m

Oxford OX1 4AU

Magdalen College Deer Park

1.2 km

Broad Street

Sheldonian Theatre

960 m

Library

Radcliffe Camera

780 m

University

Balliol College

740 m

Church

Exeter College

690 m

University

Trinity College

830 m

University

Brasenose College

700 m

University

Merton College

910 m

University

The Queen's College

870 m

University

St Peter-in-the-East

940 m

Holywell Street

New College

1.2 km

University

University of Oxford

960 m

13 Magdalen Street

Martyrs' Memorial

940 m

Nearby

Castle

Oxford Castle

170 m

Church

Christ Church

500 m

Market

The Covered Market Oxford

530 m

Tower

Carfax Tower

370 m

Museum

Museum of Oxford

440 m

University

St Peter's College

270 m

Museum

The Story Museum

410 m

Town Hall St. Aldates

Oxford Town Hall

440 m

Gallery

Modern Art Oxford

250 m

Restaurants

Brasserie and Bar at Malmaison

120 m

3 Oxford Castle

1855 Wine Bar

40 m

4 Oxford Castle New Road New Road

Slug & Lettuce

80 m

1 Oxford Castle New Road

Prezzo

80 m

2 Oxford Castle New Road

Nando's Oxford

130 m

Castle Street RU6

The Castle

110 m

24 Paradise Street

Tommi's Burger Joint

140 m

Westgate Shopping Center

Comptoir Libanais Oxford

190 m

227 The Westgate Queen Street

Sticks'n'Sushi Oxford

160 m

311 Westgate Queen Street

Cote Brasserie

480 m

41-47 George Street

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

58%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

5.8/10

Guest rating

Rooms

6.4

Location

8.6

Service

6.0

Dining

6.4

4/5 based on 4080 reviews

#8 of 47 hotels in Oxford based on Tripadvisor

Victor

United Kingdom, February 2025

5.4/10

I had a mixed experience at Malmaison Oxford. The location was fantastic, allowing easy access to the city center, but the service was inconsistent and left me feeling underwhelmed. While I enjoyed the unique charm of the hotel, some aspects like the dining experience and room quality could definitely use improvement.

Rooms

6.0

I found my room to be slightly tired and in need of some TLC, which was disappointing considering the history of the hotel. The charm of the old prison setup was fun, but I expected a bit more comfort for the price I paid.

Service

5.0

Service was hit or miss. The reception staff were pleasant and helpful, but I experienced long waits and disorganization in the restaurant. I also found staff to be a bit inattentive at times, detracting from the overall experience.

Location

9.0

The hotel’s location is ideal, nestled conveniently in the heart of Oxford. I appreciated being able to explore the city easily, and the lively atmosphere added to the experience significantly.

Dining

5.0

Dining was a letdown. While I had high expectations for the restaurant, the service was slow, and the food quality didn't match the prices. I also encountered issues with my breakfast order, which caused frustration.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel facilities were generally well-maintained, but some issues like broken soap dispensers in the restrooms were disappointing. I appreciated the quirky design elements but felt certain conveniences could be improved.

Jade

United Kingdom, January 2025

5.0/10

My stay at Malmaison Oxford was quite the mixed bag. The hotel's conversion from a prison is really unique and adds a fun twist, but I was left wanting more from the service and room quality. While the dining experience was great, some aspects of my stay felt a bit below expectations for a boutique hotel.

Rooms

6.0

The room design was intriguing, but a bit tired. I was in a suite that had several minor issues like the air conditioning not working and some peeling paint. The quirky decor was interesting, but cleanliness could've been better given the price I paid.

Service

5.0

The staff were friendly when they were around, but I encountered some hiccups, especially during check-in which lacked thoroughness. I wasn’t informed about breakfast or amenities properly, which put a damper on the start of my stay.

Location

8.0

The hotel is in a prime spot, making it super easy to explore Oxford’s attractions on foot. It’s close to a lot of great spots, so I loved that, but parking was a bit of a hassle.

Dining

7.0

I had an excellent dinner at the brasserie, and the food was on point! The breakfast service, however, felt disorganized, which was disappointing. I was excited for a buffet but didn’t get the full experience I expect at such a place.

Facilities

6.0

Overall, the facilities were good but some needed a bit of maintenance. I appreciated the unique features, but my room itself could use some freshening up to match the hotel’s charm.

Kathleen

United Kingdom, October 2024

7.2/10

I had a mostly enjoyable stay at Malmaison Oxford, but there were some bumps along the way. The quirky atmosphere from its converted prison history was fun, and I really liked the spacious room with its comfy bed. However, I was disappointed that I didn't get the cell-style room I expected and had some trouble with check-in communication. Still, the staff was attentive and the location was perfect for exploring Oxford.

Rooms

6.0

The room I stayed in was spacious and comfortable, but I was let down by not being placed in the cell-style room I wanted. The shower was a bit too hot for comfort.

Service

7.0

The staff was friendly and attentive, but I experienced some miscommunication during check-in regarding my room selection, which left me feeling a bit frustrated.

Location

9.0

I loved the central location of the hotel, making it super easy to explore Oxford and pop into nearby bars and restaurants.

Dining

7.0

While I didn't get to try dinner, I’ve heard good things about the breakfast, even though my experience was a bit mixed with the service.

Facilities

7.0

The facilities were well-maintained, though I felt the overall aesthetic could use some minor touch-ups to meet a more polished standard.

Kevin

United Kingdom, October 2024

6.6/10

My stay at Malmaison Oxford was quite the adventure, especially staying in a unique prison cell room that was both quirky and comfortable. The food at the Brasserie was nice, particularly the steak and lamb tagine, which made our dining experience enjoyable. However, I did encounter a few issues, like the high parking fee and some cleanliness concerns that detracted from the overall charm of the hotel.

Rooms

8.0

The cell room was spacious and creatively designed, though I did notice a couple of cleanliness issues that needed addressing. The comfort of the bed was impressive, and it definitely added to the experience.

Service

7.0

The staff were generally friendly and welcoming, but there were moments, such as check-in, where it felt a bit lacking in thoroughness.

Location

9.0

Located centrally in Oxford, it made exploring the city very convenient. It’s within walking distance to many attractions, including the castle tour next door.

Dining

7.0

Dinner at the Brasserie was good, with the steak and lamb being standout dishes. However, I found breakfast a bit underwhelming, despite the variety offered.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel had some well-maintained facilities, although the parking fee seemed quite steep. The absence of air conditioning in the room was also a downside.

Georgia

United Kingdom, October 2024

5.6/10

My stay at Malmaison Oxford was quite an experience. The atmosphere of the converted prison was intriguing, and the location was ideal for exploring Oxford. However, I encountered some issues with cleanliness and service that took away from my overall enjoyment.

Rooms

6.0

The decor in my room was unique and in line with the building's history, with a large bed adding comfort. Sadly, I found the cleanliness lacking, as glass shards on the floor were a major concern.

Service

6.0

While the staff were pleasant and genuinely tried to be helpful, inefficiencies marred the experience. A mix-up with my check-in revealed a lack of attention to detail in their reservation system.

Location

8.0

The prime location made it easy for me to access shops and historical sites. It's perfectly central for anyone looking to explore the heart of Oxford.

Dining

6.0

Breakfast options were varied and of good quality. However, the service during breakfast was disappointingly slow, leading to frustration that morning.

Facilities

6.0

The hotel boasted interesting features typical of a boutique stay, yet maintenance issues like the broken bath panel detracted from the overall impression.