Malmaison Oxford, Oxford

Malmaison Oxford - A luxury boutique hotel in a converted Victorian prison with contemporary dining and historic architecture

Located in a rambling complex of 18th-century prison buildings surrounded by defensive stone walls, this 95-room Oxford hotel retains original features like cell doors and window bars while offering modern luxury. Spacious rooms combine two former cells with en-suite bathrooms featuring power showers, while suites occupy larger converted spaces. The Chez Mal Brasserie, housed in the former prison wing, serves contemporary British cuisine with French influences, complemented by a neon-lit cocktail bar offering indoor and courtyard seating. Malmaison's facilities include six meeting rooms in converted cells, a pleasant garden dubbed 'The Exercise Yard' for al fresco dining, and high-speed WiFi throughout. The hotel sits just 0.5 miles from central Oxford's colleges and museums, positioned within the historic Castle Quarter.

Pros

Original Victorian prison architecture preserved, including authentic cell doors and window bars creating a unique atmosphere

The Exercise Yard provides an atmospheric outdoor space for dining and relaxation

Six distinctive meeting venues housed in converted prison cells

Contemporary cocktail bar with both indoor space and courtyard seating

Each room combines multiple original cells to create spacious accommodations

Cons

Limited on-site parking available

Some rooms in the House of Correction building require crossing the courtyard to access the main facilities