Review: Oxford Belfry Hotel and Spa

If you are looking for that elusive sweet spot between ‘country house charm’ and ‘modern spa luxury,’ The Oxford Belfry Hotel and Spa hits the mark perfectly. I can’t explain how much of a treat this was and how grateful I am to have been able to enjoy a night’s stay. The fact that it was a warm, sunny day only made it even better (especially for the content).

Surrounded by the countryside and fresh air, the hotel is spacious and has a modern, contemporary feel, which I prefer over the typical rustic style that countryside spots tend to have. Laid back is how I would describe the vibe at the hotel – they allow you to walk around in your bathrobe, except for meals, of course. You underestimate the size of the hotel because of the layout – one of those places I can imagine that even when it’s busy, you wouldn’t feel it (except maybe during meal time).

Room Tour

Treated to the junior suite on the second floor, the room was lush. Very spacious, included all the amenities you might need, from an iron to complementary drinks in the mini bar, and tons of wardrobe space. The bathroom was equally as spacious and had that new, fancy feel and a massive shower head – there is something about a good shower that really hits the spot.

The view from the room consisted of lots of greenery and the tennis court. The surrounding countryside added to the quiet and blissful feeling I got from the moment we drove in. You get that ‘best of both worlds’ feeling as it’s such a peaceful spot, yet it’s not too far from Oxford centre.

The bed was huge, the mattress was firm yet comfortable (what you need after a day in the spa), and my friend and I ended up having a great night’s sleep.

A trip to the spa

A warm welcome is the first thing that you get upon entering the spa.

Before heading in for our treatment, there is a waiting room equipped with refreshments, where you are taken through a few things before your session.

My treatment of choice was a 25-minute deep tissue massage (which was MUCH needed).

Using Elemis products, this was incredible. The 25 minutes flew by (sadly), but my massage therapist was very good. I have nothing more to add – stunning.

Now, on to the main spa area. It’s equipped with a sauna, steam room, and pool. The area is well-kept and clean. There are sufficient showers around, plenty of water, plus a little ice dispenser (very handy after the sauna). One thing I noticed was that the changing room could definitely do with an upgrade. It felt rundown and did not match the feel of the rest of the hotel.

Lots of regulars seem to visit to use the spa, mainly over the weekend. It seemed to be a popular spot to bring the kids because of the pool, but they have set times when kids are allowed, so if you are worried about that making it less peaceful, there are strict timings you can work around, so you are all good.

Ps: Why does doing nothing always make you so hungry? Or is that just me?!

Dinner at the Spires restaurant

Matching the rest of the hotel, dinner is casual, and there is a good variety of options available on the menu.

Here is a rundown of everything we had:

Drinks: a glass of wine and a recommended gin-based cocktail that was berry-flavoured
Starters: Salt and pepper squid and Sticky BBQ pork belly
Mains: Fillet steak with fries and peppercorn sauce, and Steak and ale pie
Dessert: Dark chocolate tart and salted caramel ice cream, Lemon meringue pie with vanilla ice cream

Starters and drinks

The gin cocktail was fruity and refreshing, but the balance of flavours made it a tad too sweet.

Both starters were divine. The squid tasted fresh and was cooked to perfection, whilst the pork belly literally melted in your mouth and was the right portion, given that pork belly is a rich dish. No notes on either of these.

On to the mains

The steak and ale pie was the favourite, along with the baby gem salad. The pie portion was huge, served with a ton of mash and sufficient gravy. Unfortunately, the fillet was a bit chewy, and the peppercorn sauce wasn’t my favourite, but the baby gem salad was genuinely divine. I don’t know if it was just because it was so fresh or if it was the Parmesan, but this was delightful.

Dessert is a non-negotiable

As a chocolate lover, I was surprised that the lemon meringue pie stole the show. Flavours were balanced, and the meringue itself was so good – it didn’t have that eggy taste that you sometimes get (for an upclose look, check out our Instagram reel!). There was nothing wrong with the dark chocolate tarte, it had the right smooth consistency and wasn’t overly rich, but the lemon meringue was the clear favourite.

Overall, a lovely dinner. Staff were super friendly and made us feel very at home.

Brekkie

Got to love a buffet breakfast.

Sometimes I find breakfast buffets can be a bit of a hassle and lacking certain things, but this wasn’t the case here. Not only was each section fully stocked with everything, but the spread had a good variety. From fruit to pastries, bacon, juices, and everything in between, we were spoilt for choice.

What I really liked is that the dining area is spread out in a way that even when the breakfast area was fairly full, it didn’t feel overwhelming.

The pastries served were delish – we were stuffed!

What a weekend

I’m already planning my return trip for later this year. This stay was exactly what I needed, and I honestly think everyone should carve out time to switch off and reset like this. From the room to the spa and the wonderful staff throughout the hotel, you’re made to feel so welcome. Even if you only drop in for a treatment or a quick dinner, it’s a spot that definitely deserves a place on your list.