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Oxford Hotel: Traveler Reviews


Oxford Hotel
Hotel class 4 of 5
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1600 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202
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Traveler Reviews

72% Recommend
4.0 of 5 stars 79 reviews
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[ Date ] [ Rating ]
Great location, but smelly and overpriced.

Oxford Hotel

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1 of 5 stars
Casualfamilytraveler 10 contributions
Los Angeles, CA
Aug 17, 2007 | Trip type: Family
2/4 found this review helpful

On the last night of a family trip centered around seeing Mount Rushmore, we wanted to be in the heart of Denver. On the positive side, the Oxford is ideally situated one block from the 16th street Mall (a very nice fifteen-block promenade). It has some wonderful restaurants nearby (Gumbos was a treasure) and is perfectly located for access to the river trail, the performing arts center, and the various sports complexes. On the negative side, there is the snootiness of select members of the staff, a wretched cover-up smell of the room (aimed at hiding tobacco remnants), and a general lack of customer service.

When we first arrived, the curbside parking for the hotel valet had five cars occupying the entire section. After circling for roughly twenty minutes, the same five cars were there, including a van for a vendor in their lobby promoting their service. We eventually found metered parking. Upon entering the double doors to the lobby with our bags, we literally bumped into two employees on their way out the doors who rather than offer to assist, instead barreled right past us, not even noticing we were there. Perhaps they were on their lunch break, but the basic courtesy of yielding right of way to people schlepping bags or at least holding a door open as a nice gesture would have been appropriate, not as an employee, but a basic rule of etiquette.

While waiting for our turn to check in, two people popped behind the counter to collect documents from a printer. Neither took even a second to look up and at least acknowledge that they were not a desk clerk and that the one desk employee would be with us soon. This set the tone for nearly the entire stay (sans the valet at checkout, who was wonderful).

What perhaps is most vexing is that while we waited to check in, we were asked if we needed a house pet by a vendor in the lobby. While we are animal lovers, it felt a bit pressured to be hustled a dog or a cat while on vacation and checking into a hotel. Once in our room, we got a telemarketing call from their spa pushing us to make an appointment. This was after we already mentioned to the clerk at check in that we weren’t interested in the spa service.

If they would put half the effort they put into selling you more services while on site into making the stained plastic bathtub and ugly caulking a bit nicer, the rooms would be magnificent. The room itself is very well appointed, except for the bathroom. The psychotic temperature of the shower water is to be expected in an old building, but be prepared for a hot-to-icy-back-to-hot ride in the shower.

The only issue we have with the hotel itself is that we reserved a non-smoking room that they deemed to be tobacco-free after unloading enough “air-freshener” to kill any and all insects that may have been living in the room. The fact that only one of three windows opened (the other two were painted shut) didn't allow the fragrance to vent as it should have. All-in-all, it was a very below-average experience. We did have a great experience at the other two Denver area hotels we selected during this trip, but they aren't as ideally situated as the Oxford.

Be advised, this is NOT a place to stay with kids. They don’t promise to be, so it’s no fault on their part. If you wish to stay here with kids, plan many off-site activities (which there are several within walking distance).

  • Liked — Location; it's in a great part of Denver with walking access to anything the city has to offer
  • Disliked — The disineterest of the staff, the smell of the room, and the focus on selling guests more services
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 1 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 1 of 5 stars Service
  • Date of stay August 2007
  • Visit was for Quality time with family
  • Traveled with Family with young children
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since August 17, 2007
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? No
  • I do not recommend this hotel for People with disabilities
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Museums / Cultural / Historical sites, Outdoor / Adventure
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Management response from TimelessOxford, General Manager
(Management representative)
Aug 24, 2007
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments regarding your recent experience at The Oxford Hotel. I apologize that you encountered so many problems that made your stay less than enjoyable. I am embarrassed by our poor service.

The Oxford Hotel is 100% smoke-free and when this policy is disregarded, we utilize a process to return the room to a safe nonsmoking status. Thank you for the feedback that the deodorizers we use are offensive. We will evaluate the chemicals and air purifier we use to explore alternatives.

As an organization that desires to support our local community, we do have partnerships with a wide variety of community based programs. As a pet-friendly hotel, The Denver Dumb Friends League is one of these organizations. On the day you arrived, we had granted space in the front of our building for them to park a van in an attempt to facilitate the adoption of several animals. Unfortunately on this day, the van experienced mechanical difficulties and lost the function of its air conditioning. We allowed the staff to work from our lobby due to the warm temperatures outside that day. After receiving your feedback, we have since communicated with the Denver Dumb Friends League to ensure they only operate outside of the hotel. We agree that such aggressive solicitation is unacceptable and appreciate your feedback.

The spa staff makes contact with our guests to make it easier for our guests to enjoy the many services we offer. We will work with the leadership team to ensure their verbiage is appropriate.

We have recently renovated the bedroom area of each room and are currently in the midst of a full scale bathroom renovation which is addressing the concerns you raised. This work is improving the aesthetics and functionality of the restrooms by changing fixtures to ensure even water temperature.

The issue of our poor service is of greatest concern to us. We strive every day to deliver world class service in an environment that embraces our historic character and charm while delivering 21st century service, amenities and technology to our guests. For you to have encountered “snootiness” is an embarrassment to our entire hotel and we believe was our worst offense. We are using your candid feedback as a training tool with all of our staff and will continue to strive for a greater level of consistency.

I trust you have received a personal response to your feedback from Tina Moodie, Director of Operations, with an invitation to return to The Oxford Hotel as our guest. We hope you will give us a second chance. I am certain you will experience a level of service that far exceeds your expectations. A level of service that is more representative of The Oxford Hotel.

Thank you again, for your candid and helpful feedback.

Sincerely,

Ed Blair

General Manager, The Oxford Hotel


This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Average price*: $211 (year-round)
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Old world charm and smell

Oxford Hotel

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4 of 5 stars
Sine_Patria 9 contributions
Misc
Aug 13, 2007
2/2 found this review helpful

The hotel is very old; it attempts to embrace the heritage and maintained to retain that old style, which isn't for everyone. I tried to avoid it for a few years of having to travel to Denver, but it is much better than I expected.

The staff are friendly, the room is not very large, but not too small. The bathroom is large, clean and has contemporary classically-styled fixtures. A faux cast iron bath tub looks pretty cool. The hotel restaurant, a fish-house, is pretty good and reasonably priced.

One gripe. Despite the hotel's best efforts to remedy poor ventilation and mask a stale, musty smell the rooms feel stuffy. Opening a window and airing out for a day, with A/C turned off really helped.

  • Liked — Location
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay August 2007
  • Member since May 30, 2007
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Families with young children, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Average price*: $211 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
Wonderful stay, wonderful staff

Oxford Hotel

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5 of 5 stars
bklynguy 71 contributions
NYC
Aug 7, 2007 | Trip type: Couples

The Oxford Hotel is more like an elegant B&B. You can't expect more from a hotel staff. From the front desk to the valet, the staff are friendly, eager to please, accommodating & more than willing to help with questions or even changing your flat tire. It's the little things they do that make you feel welcome. Little touches that make you feel comfy - like fresh apples every day for the taking, bottled water for your walks or drives, sherry at night, beautiful music and even a tank of water with orange slices.

We booked the deluxe Victorian room with an outside view. We were surprised that the room wasn't small (considering the building is from 1891). Bathroom was a nice size, very clean with modern fixtures. The only fault I can find is that the mattress was too soft for my liking.

Location was perfect - walkable anywhere. (although they have a free limo for quests within the downtown area).

Thank you Ms. Gross and the entire staff for a wonderful 4 night stay. With all the different staff shifts, there wasn't one staff person that let us down.

  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay August 2007
  • Visit was for Other
  • Traveled with Spouse / significant other
  • Age group 35-49
  • Member since July 23, 2005
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Outdoor / Adventure
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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Average price*: $211 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
Great Hotel

Oxford Hotel

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5 of 5 stars
arpanic3 12 contributions
Fayetteville, AR
Jul 31, 2007 | Trip type: Business
2/2 found this review helpful

Hotel Oxford is a great stay. Oldest hotel in Denver, attached to McCormick and Schmicks seafood restaurant, walking distance to everything. Like 2 blocks from Coors Field! Staff is so friendly. If you want new, ultra-modern hotel, then DO NOT stay here but if you like character and old world charm, this is your place. Anything within 2 mile radius, they have a car on site to take you wherever you want to go!! GREAT STAY

  • Liked — SERVICE
  • Disliked — ALL GREAT
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 5 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay May 2007
  • Visit was for Business
  • Traveled with Business colleagues
  • Age group 25-34
  • Member since April 08, 2006
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Older travelers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Families with young children, Families with teenagers
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Great food / Wine, Sporting event
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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Average price*: $211 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
Timeless classic--Like a comfortable pair of shoes

Oxford Hotel

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5 of 5 stars
TravelerKC 26 contributions
Liberty, Missouri
Jun 29, 2007 | Trip type: Business
1/1 found this review helpful

This is a favorite hotel of mine, but it may not be for everyone. It has loads of character and charm, but it's a little quirky. It is about comfort rather than flash and elegance. The decor and furnishings show a patina of time and service, and sometimes a little bit of wear. You are not quite sure when it was last renovated, but it is not tired or shabby. It doesn't look shiny and new, either, so if that is what you prefer, another property would be a better choice. The hotel only has about 80 rooms, so it can fill up fast. On the other hand, the staff is most attentive and the hotel is the antithesis of the convention hotel. The rooms vary in size and amenities, offering little standardization. Many are quite large. Although the rooms are well appointed, not all of them have a great view.

The McCormick and Schmick's seafood restaurant on the first floor is wonderful and is an experience in and of itself for its food, decor, and surroundings.

The hotel is not cheap, especially if it is running full. If you can get a discount from the typical prices, it actually can be a good value, all things considered.

The entire experience is a step back in time, and it reminds one of an inn more than a hotel.

  • Liked — Timeless charm
  • Disliked — May lack some business services--check if this is important to you.
  • My ratings for this hotel
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 4 of 5 stars Business service (e.g., internet access)
  • Date of stay March 2006
  • Visit was for Business
  • Traveled with Business colleagues
  • Age group 50-64
  • Member since January 06, 2007
  • Would you recommend this hotel to a friend? Yes
  • I recommend this hotel for An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Older travelers, Tourists
  • I do not recommend this hotel for Young singles, Great pool scene
  • I selected this hotel as a top choice for Other
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Was this review helpful? Yes No
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Average price*: $211 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
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Oxford Hotel Address

1600 17th Street, Denver, CO 80202