The hotel: Apartments in Oxford has 34 studio, one, two and four-bedroom apartments on St Thomas Street in central Oxford.
The check-in: Attempted to check in an hour or so before the official time but, due to a spillage in the apartment, it wasn't yet ready. A shame because we were short on time and had business to attend, meaning we didn't end up checking in until midnight. The staff were apologetic and had at least allowed us to leave our car parked in the apartments' courtyard during the afternoon and booked taxis for us. After checking in we were given a comprehensive tour and run down of the apartment's amenities by a cheery member of staff, despite the late hour.
The apartment: The spacious two-bedroom apartment was decorated in fairly neutral colours throughout and had a large lounge and good-sized fitted kitchen, complete with cooker, sink, washing machine, micro-wave and fridge-freezer, plus iron and ironing board. There was a small provision of essentials, plus guides to the local area and 'what's on' listings. The lounge had a sofa and chairs, satellite TV, hifi, coffee table and dining table. The master bedroom, whose decor was a little staid for my liking, had an ensuite shower and super-comfortable double bed.
The facilities: All apartments have wired and wireless internet access; printer, fax and photocopying facilities are available at the 24hour reception; and there's free parking in the enclosed courtyard.
The verdict: Good position, close to a choice of restaurants and within walking distance of Oxford city centre. The apartment itself was comfortable, roomy and well equipped, and staff were amenable. Easy to see why it's a popular option for visiting academics.
The Cons 1. Daily changes from suppliers are difficult to manage
2. The level of complaints from travellers is always a factor, often because of the airline and hotel loyalty clubs they belong to, and because they see travel as a benefit of the job
3. It’s time-consuming for managers
4. Controllable only at the back-end of the process
5. Competition between suppliers
6. It can be difficult to negotiate with suppliers when you are not the day-to-day buyer
7. How many rings on the telephone before they pick up
The details: One-bedroom studios from £95 to £135 a night; one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments from £95 to £145; two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments from £100 to £165; two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments from £100 to £175; four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartments from £290 to £390.
There is no minimum stay. Special offers are often available so check rates by calling 01865 254000. See: www.oxstay.co.uk Andy Hoskins
