The Store Hotel: Bringing A Piece Of Oxford’s History Back To Life
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By
Kerene Barefield
on
9th August 2024
What was once a family department store for nearly 300 years is now a modern hotel full of atmosphere.
Nestled within the heart of England lies Oxford, a city steeped in history and renowned for its prestigious university and captivating architecture. For 282 years, it was also home to Boswell & Co, a family-owned department store until it closed in 2020. Now this former department store has been transformed into a contemporary and luxurious hotel with a rooftop bar overlooking the stunning city. Within walking distance of all the major shops and historical landmarks on the Oxford, The Store which only opened in May 2024, strives to honour Boswell’s history.
When we arrived at The Store, the first thing that I noticed was the bar, which I have since found out is the longest bar in Oxford, made from a detailed black and white marble. As we admired the chilled atmosphere, we were greeted by a friendly member of staff who checked us in and showed us to our room. Having only been open for ten weeks, the hotel smelt new. Fresh beige carpets led us down the long corridors, while the dark blue painted walls and contemporary panelling gave the hotel a modern yet stylish vibe.
The Rooms:
The hotel has 101 guest rooms spread out over seven floors, and we were in a suite situated on the 2nd floor. The room was stylish and bright, and embodied a modern, Scandi-style simplicity. Freshly picked flowers were the perfect touch, while the free standing bath was simply too hard to say no to. There was a plush velvet headboard, panelled walls, and bold art deco features, all of which really added to a sense of luxury and it felt every detail of the room had been designed with care.
The Spa:
After a walk in the city, we returned to the hotel to enjoy the spa before getting ready for dinner. Set in the basement, the spa is a subterranean wellness haven with treatments created in partnership with British brand, Oskia. The spa features a sauna, steam room, private treatment rooms, holistic studio space and a relaxation space. Just like the rest of the hotel, the facilities are pristine and I felt like the first person to have ever used the sauna. We spent a good couple of hours drifting between the sauna, stream room and experience shower. While at the hotel I also enjoyed a warm oil full body massage, which was thoroughly needed after a long drive. The therapist was experienced in her touch and the room's ambiance allowed me to drift into a relaxed state while my aching muscles were worked on. We visited the spa a couple of times during our stay and both times had it all to ourselves, which we felt very lucky about.
The Rooftop Bar:
There is only one true structural addition to the building, and that is the rooftop terrace. The crown jewel of the property, The Roof at The Store which is a sophisticated rooftop bar and restaurant, offering outdoor seating and 360-degree views over Oxford, a real treat as there aren’t many tall buildings in the city center beyond the Romanesque and Gothic towers of the university buildings and chapels.
After a shower and a little lounge in the room, to get over all the relaxing we had done in the spa - we headed up to the 5th floor to enjoy a pre dinner cocktail. The Roof at The Store, offering standout views over Oxford and we were lucky that there were blue skies and the sun was still shining.
The bar focuses on eight classic cocktails, the Cosmopolitan, the Bramble, the Manhattan, the Espresso Martini, the Negroni, the Gimlet, the Old Fashioned and the Mojito—the drinks menu includes three creative variations for each, alongside an offering of sparkling wine, champagne, wine and beer.
The Restaurant:
Dragging ourselves away from the beautiful views of Oxford and also the rather lovely cocktails, we made our way to Treadwell, the hotel’s on-site restaurant. The modern eatery flaunts its menu as “untraditionally British,” essentially serving what, on paper, might seem like classic British fare, but playing with it and mixing in multicultural influences as well as local, sustainably sourced produce and proteins from around Oxfordshire, the surrounding county. I couldn’t resist the mussels for starter which were perfectly cooked in a creamy sauce, which I followed with the chicken pie with curry sauce.
Treadwell, is named after the historic Treadwell Passage. Dating back to the early 19th century, the ground which the restaurant now sits upon, was once a bustling and somewhat notorious hub of Oxford, home to a fish hawker, shoemaker, scavenger, needlewoman and more - all characters who are referenced in playful ways throughout the menu.
Verdict:
After enjoying a little bit of the local nightlife we retreated to our room for the perfect night's sleep, followed by a fabulous breakfast and a little more time in the spa - we just couldn’t resist.
It was really unique staying in such a modern hotel, which is yet steeped in so much history. All the staff were friendly and approachable and actually seemed excited to be working there, which gave the hotel an added energy. I will definitely be returning when I am next in Oxford, which I hope to be very soon.
