The Store Oxford: Where Oxford’s Heritage Gets a Modern Reboot
A local landmark reborn—this design-forward retreat turns the former Boswells department store into a layered, luxurious ode to the city it calls home.
Retail Roots, Reinvented
Once the oldest independent department store in Oxford, Boswells was more than a place to shop—it was part of the city’s cultural DNA. Now, that spirit lives on in The Store, a 101-room lifestyle hotel that threads together past and present with effortless sophistication. History is preserved, but the experience is thoroughly contemporary—elegant, atmospheric, and rooted in place.
Design That Speaks Oxford
Inside, everything tells a story. Guestrooms riff on the city’s iconic rooftops, Gothic spires, and storied libraries, with bespoke textiles, warm woods, and striking Art Deco flourishes. Some rooms are bold and luxe, with velvet headboards and statement walls. Others opt for calm minimalism, with leafy courtyard views and cocoon-like textures. The custom scent, created with ScentAir, subtly infuses the space with notes of leather-bound books, vintage perfume, and travel nostalgia—a quiet nod to the store’s past. Even original skylights find new life beneath your feet in Treadwell, the hotel’s inventive signature restaurant.
Skyline Cocktails & Subterranean Calm
Public spaces are fluid, welcoming, and deeply atmospheric. The Bar at The Store faces bustling Broad Street, anchored by a fireside snug that’s made for moody evenings and slow sips. Up top, the Roof at the Store offers one of the city’s best-kept secrets: a 360° terrace with panoramic views across dreaming spires. Down below, the Spa at the Store is a sensual escape—textured, warm, and totally immersive. Private treatment rooms and a holistic studio invite guests to reset in style, making this not just a place to stay, but a place to restore.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The Store Oxford doesn’t just reference history—it wears it beautifully, then layers in a confident, creative future. This is Oxford reimagined: design-led, emotionally intelligent, and always in dialogue with the city’s soul. Whether you’re here to soak in the views, the stories, or the serenity, The Store is an instant classic.
