Oxford Cowley hotel

Checked in at the kiosk but Silva at reception saw the number of bags I had and was able to check me in to a much closer room from reception. First class service. Room was clean and a good size, but service stood out most. Employee of the year.

We booked here because of its proximity to the Mini Factory we were due to visit. Faced with an automated check-in, we struggled a little. Luckily there was someone on duty who came to help. We hadn't noticed that there was a charge for parking! Only when we went to the restaurant in the evening did we become aware of this. After this hotel, we stayed in a Holiday Inn Express where breakfast and parking was inclusive. It was definitely far better value than Premier Inn.

The welcome at the hotel was unfriendly, and guests were also required to pay extra for parking. Unfortunately, the experience deteriorated further the following morning when the overhead shower did not work and the handheld shower attachment was broken. At the time, there was nobody available at reception to report the issue to. When I later contacted the hotel, I was told that because I had been unable to find a member of staff at the time, there was effectively nothing for them to act on. No apology was offered. Overall, this was a disappointing experience, particularly given the lack of customer care when problems were raised.

Good location for Oxford, room wasn’t as clean as it should be, sticky worktops, slimy shower tray and loo not cleaned, air con was needed and worked well, food not up to beefeater standards, ours was poor quality and 2 other tables complained.

Not up to PI normal standard, very poor. Arrival: a bloody awful self check-in and key maker. Terrible software. Bring back a proper receptionist! Car parking was charged extra. Premier Plus room not a plus at all. Desk lamp did not work - no bulb. Why was it not checked when room prepared? Took an hour and two trips to reception to get a bulb. We had requested an extra sheet. It was not provided. Aircon noisy. Not possible to open window and have curtain closed. Somebody had nicked the bath and replaced it with a large shower tray. Shower provided only a dismal trickle of water. Bed was a hardboard base with a relatively thin mattress. Pillows thick and hard. The most uncomfortable arrangement that I have seen in many a year. On site "restaurant". Evening meal great service but poor food. Menu proclaimed "You love this" about dishes that I hate and would not touch. Loads of horrible hot spicy food and a lack of decent British meals. Portions small. Food lack lacklustre. Not good value. Breakfast - when we went for breakfast we were told that we should have booked, but we had not been told that when we booked or when we checked in, and there was no information in the room. Bacon was very fatty. Only one hash brown in the tray, no sign of any staff to replenish the tray. I requested poached eggs but they never arrived. Scrambled eggs were a cold rubbery lump. Mostly foreign staff whose grasp of English is debatable. The only good thing about this hotel is its location for visiting the Mini plant. For anything else, stay somewhere else. PI is usually a fairly safe bet, but this one is overpriced, under performing and very disappointing.