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Hotel in a former Prison in Oxford
Oxford prison is part of the original Oxford castle built in 1073 although it did not house what was a Victorian prison until 1888 and it was in active use with inmates for 108 years right up until 1996. After it was decommissioned as a prison the building was bought and developed into a boutique hotel by the Malmaison group.
The internal structure of the prison has been left largely intact and makes for an unusual but strangely appealing hotel experience. By combining adjacent cells together 95 hotel rooms have been created. |
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The basic layout retains all the original cell structures and overhead metal gangways, each room is made up from combining three cells and retains the heavy iron doors. The prison grade building ensures excellent sound proofing! The addition of copious amounts of tasteful mood lighting washing the thick walls along with glass panels for the walkways and sumptuous soft furnishing and seating gives you a very comfortable stay whilst leaving you in no doubt you are still within the walls of a once grim Victorian prison.
Two cells have been knocked through to combine a decent sized bedroom complete with king-size bed and plush furnishings, large TV and table and chairs. The third cell forms the ensuite bathroom.
You can choose between two grades of rooms - Standard and Club and you then have a choice of room size ranging from double through to various suite combinations. Club grade adds extras such as a roll top bath with separate walk in shower, coffee machine and complimentary bathrobes and slippers. The biggest and best suite available is called the Signature and with this grade you get a mezzanine area for the roll-top bath.
The majority of the rooms are located in the former ‘A’ wing with the suites being in the former Debtor’s tower and Governor’s House.
Two cells have been knocked through to combine a decent sized bedroom complete with king-size bed and plush furnishings, large TV and table and chairs. The third cell forms the ensuite bathroom.
You can choose between two grades of rooms - Standard and Club and you then have a choice of room size ranging from double through to various suite combinations. Club grade adds extras such as a roll top bath with separate walk in shower, coffee machine and complimentary bathrobes and slippers. The biggest and best suite available is called the Signature and with this grade you get a mezzanine area for the roll-top bath.
The majority of the rooms are located in the former ‘A’ wing with the suites being in the former Debtor’s tower and Governor’s House.
Signature Suite
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Club grade bathtub
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Malmaison Oxford Prison room feature summary
Standard |
Club |
Free WiFi |
Free WiFi |
Plasma TV |
Plasma TV |
Hairdryer |
Hairdryer |
Ironing Board |
Ironing Board |
Same-day laundry |
Same-day laundry |
Tea/Coffee tray |
Tea/Coffee tray |
Desk + lounge chair |
Desk + lounge chair |
24hr Room Service |
24hr Room Service |
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Coffee Machine |
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Bathrobe + Slippers |
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Roll top bath + separate shower (some suites have mezzanine level) |
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Room Tip
Whilst the rooms are generally identical in shape and space as you might expect former cells had small windows so natural light is at a premium. This is partly compensated for by white painted walls but if you want more natural light you will find that the rooms located on the fourth and fifth floor have additional windows with much more daylight. If you venture down to the Prison basement you can visit an original inmate's cell to get a true feel of the accommodation the guests who stayed at her majesty's pleasure would have experienced. It's worth seeing if only to remind yourself of the building's former life. |
Original cell № 123 in the basement
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Getting to the Oxford Prison Hotel by Malmaison
OXFORD CASTLE, 3 NEW ROAD, OXFORD, OX1 1AY
You can’t get any more central in Oxford than the old Prison. Sited right in the Oxford Castle Quarter which is one of the oldest and most historic parts of Oxford dating back to 1073. The Prison hotel is now part of the castle complex.
The Westgate shopping centre is a two minute walk away, Oxford University colleges are a five minute walk as is the train station. There are numerous bars and restaurants on your doorstep.
Parking at the hotel is limited and must be booked in advance costing £28.50 for overnight stays from check in time (3pm) until 12pm the following day. The parking is valet service only and guests must leave their keys at reception on arrival. Note that the car park is not secure and liability for vehicles rests with the owners at all times.
Alternative car parking is available at the Westgate shopping centre (OX1 1TS) which is a three minute walk away and offers an evening tariff after 5pm and until 6am of £4 and with hourly parking rates starting at £3.50 outside this time. Note only level 1 of the car park is open 24hrs.
Currently if you left your car parked at 3pm and picked it up at 10am the following day the parking charge would amount to £16 (price correct October 2022).
Another alternative to consider if you are arriving by car is to make use of the excellent park and ride schemes that Oxford offers. This also mitigates you having to navigate through Oxford's confusing road layout and new clean air zones which can easily catch unwary motorists out and land you with an unwelcome fine.
OXFORD CASTLE, 3 NEW ROAD, OXFORD, OX1 1AY
You can’t get any more central in Oxford than the old Prison. Sited right in the Oxford Castle Quarter which is one of the oldest and most historic parts of Oxford dating back to 1073. The Prison hotel is now part of the castle complex.
The Westgate shopping centre is a two minute walk away, Oxford University colleges are a five minute walk as is the train station. There are numerous bars and restaurants on your doorstep.
Parking at the hotel is limited and must be booked in advance costing £28.50 for overnight stays from check in time (3pm) until 12pm the following day. The parking is valet service only and guests must leave their keys at reception on arrival. Note that the car park is not secure and liability for vehicles rests with the owners at all times.
Alternative car parking is available at the Westgate shopping centre (OX1 1TS) which is a three minute walk away and offers an evening tariff after 5pm and until 6am of £4 and with hourly parking rates starting at £3.50 outside this time. Note only level 1 of the car park is open 24hrs.
Currently if you left your car parked at 3pm and picked it up at 10am the following day the parking charge would amount to £16 (price correct October 2022).
Another alternative to consider if you are arriving by car is to make use of the excellent park and ride schemes that Oxford offers. This also mitigates you having to navigate through Oxford's confusing road layout and new clean air zones which can easily catch unwary motorists out and land you with an unwelcome fine.
Food and Drink
Malmaison offers lots of special stay packages which combine your room with dinner and these generally offer much better value than purchasing them separately. If you are paying for food and are not on a package deal then expect two courses with drinks for two to cost about £80 which is average for a hotel restaurant.
The branded Chez Mal Brasserie along with the well stocked main Bar are both located in the basement and have a low-lit moody atmosphere which comes naturally in a fairly windowless former prison but feels oddly warm and welcoming, making it perfect for intimate dinners.
Malmaison offers lots of special stay packages which combine your room with dinner and these generally offer much better value than purchasing them separately. If you are paying for food and are not on a package deal then expect two courses with drinks for two to cost about £80 which is average for a hotel restaurant.
The branded Chez Mal Brasserie along with the well stocked main Bar are both located in the basement and have a low-lit moody atmosphere which comes naturally in a fairly windowless former prison but feels oddly warm and welcoming, making it perfect for intimate dinners.
Chez Mal Brasserie
Outside dining in the former exercise yard and roof terrace is an option in good weather.
There is also a Cocktail Bar located in what was the old visitors room on the third floor which has a lovely open feel courtesy of the high ceilings and copious comfy sofas.
The menu is decent, offering a selection of seasonal dishes with both a la carte and fixed price options including all the usual favourites and reasonably priced house wines.
Malmaison does not include breakfast in your standard room rate but it is included in some of the package deals. If you are paying separately then it costs £15 per head for the continental buffet selection or £18 if you add the hot food selection.
Hotel facilities
The hotel does not offer a gym, spa or pool. It does have room service, same day laundry service, concierge parking and it has a lift for access to the upper and basement floors.
(1) Is the Oxford Prison Hotel kid friendly?
Malmaison will provide an extra bed for children aged between 3-14 years in the larger rooms only for an additional £30 per night. Breakfast prices for children aged 5 - 12 are half full price and for children aged 4 and under breakfast is free. Cots are provided free of charge.
(2) Disabled facilities for guests at the Oxford Prison Malmaison?
This hotel has a number of accessible bedrooms which have been adapted with wider doorways for wheelchair access and level wetrooms.
(3) Can I bring my dog?
Yes, like all Malmaison hotels the Oxford Prison Hotel welcomes well behaved dogs over the age of one year to stay in your room for a nightly fee of £20.
(4) What time is check in and check out at Malmaison hotels?
Check in is at 3pm and check out is 11am on departure day. Early check in or late check out may be available but you need to confirm this with the hotel before you travel.
There is also a Cocktail Bar located in what was the old visitors room on the third floor which has a lovely open feel courtesy of the high ceilings and copious comfy sofas.
The menu is decent, offering a selection of seasonal dishes with both a la carte and fixed price options including all the usual favourites and reasonably priced house wines.
Malmaison does not include breakfast in your standard room rate but it is included in some of the package deals. If you are paying separately then it costs £15 per head for the continental buffet selection or £18 if you add the hot food selection.
Hotel facilities
The hotel does not offer a gym, spa or pool. It does have room service, same day laundry service, concierge parking and it has a lift for access to the upper and basement floors.
(1) Is the Oxford Prison Hotel kid friendly?
Malmaison will provide an extra bed for children aged between 3-14 years in the larger rooms only for an additional £30 per night. Breakfast prices for children aged 5 - 12 are half full price and for children aged 4 and under breakfast is free. Cots are provided free of charge.
(2) Disabled facilities for guests at the Oxford Prison Malmaison?
This hotel has a number of accessible bedrooms which have been adapted with wider doorways for wheelchair access and level wetrooms.
(3) Can I bring my dog?
Yes, like all Malmaison hotels the Oxford Prison Hotel welcomes well behaved dogs over the age of one year to stay in your room for a nightly fee of £20.
(4) What time is check in and check out at Malmaison hotels?
Check in is at 3pm and check out is 11am on departure day. Early check in or late check out may be available but you need to confirm this with the hotel before you travel.
Value for money
You will find rooms for an overnight stay for two from around £160 in low season right up to £350 in high season at short notice, rates for the Oxford hotel tend to average about £200 per night if not on a deal. Breakfast is not included in your standard room price (£15 for continental, £18 for cooked). Malmaison offers lots of discounted deals and packages combining dining with your room rate. Sunday night is usually the bargain night to stay with prices well below the normal rate.
You will find rooms for an overnight stay for two from around £160 in low season right up to £350 in high season at short notice, rates for the Oxford hotel tend to average about £200 per night if not on a deal. Breakfast is not included in your standard room price (£15 for continental, £18 for cooked). Malmaison offers lots of discounted deals and packages combining dining with your room rate. Sunday night is usually the bargain night to stay with prices well below the normal rate.
