A couple blocks from Oxford Street
Scenic and central Marylebone location
Oliver’s Restaurant, with daily breakfast
Renovated public spaces
Modern fitness center
Good-sized rooms, all with bathtubs
Free morning newspapers
Business center
Fee for Wi-Fi for non-members
Fee for breakfast
Room decor is dated
The Holiday Inn Oxford Circus is all about its location, which is just a couple blocks off buzzing Oxford Street -- London's main shopping hub -- in picturesque Marylebone, in central London. A mid-range chain hotel with 164 rooms that don't appear to have been updated as recently as the common areas, this isn't the fanciest hotel in the capital, but you're paying for the prime location and good-sized rooms. There are fees for Wi-Fi and breakfast, and the aesthetically bland carvery restaurant is hardly memorable, but the hotel is minutes away from Bond Street tube station, and Regent's Park is a 15-minute stroll from the door.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Trendy, renovated lobby with modern vibe that attracts both younger tourists and corporate travelers
The lobby of the Holiday Inn Oxford Circus is a pleasant surprise for those expecting the drab uniformity of a chain hotel. The exterior is an imposing Edwardian building with an entrance flanked by regal marble columns. Inside, the sleek and bright lobby has clearly been recently redone, with eclectic modern furnishings and Scandinavian-style touches. Striped carpets complement soft velvety chairs, and chandeliers are a contemporary shade of purple. The cool, laid-back vibe attracts a mixture of younger tourists keen to stay in the heart of this happening neighborhood, as well as corporate travelers for whom the location is also convenient.
Location
On a peaceful street in London's central Marylebone neighborhood, just off Oxford Street
The Holiday Inn Oxford Circus' location is ideal for those who want to hit all the tourist hot-spots. Buckingham Palace and Regent's Park are within walking distance, and nearby Oxford Street is London's busiest shopping destination. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Oxford Circus tube station and a two-minute walk from Harley Street. Hyde Park and Marble Arch are only a 10-minute stroll away. For young children, a trip to the ZSL Zoo is a must, 25 minutes away by bus. The hip Soho neighborhood is a 15-minute walk away. Selfridges -- a massive shopping mall and food hall -- is a brisk five-minute walk away.
Rooms
Generic and dated, with patterned curtains and wall-to-wall carpets, but also modern amenities
The Holiday Inn Oxford Circus' room decor doesn't quite live up to the standard set in its public spaces, with standard, dated chain furnishings and lackluster aesthetics. The green carpets, patterned curtains, and 1980s-style furniture look like they're in need of a style update. That said, all the rooms are clean and the amenities are modern, with a minibar and choice of pillows. Bathrooms are more updated, if bland, with neutral tiling, shower/tub combinations, and signature toiletries. All rooms do include a good selection of magazines and a box of tea, with a kettle. In-room Wi-Fi costs extra, unless you are a rewards club member. Outside noise doesn't tend to be a problem, as the hotel is located on a quiet street, but some guests have complained about the paper-thin walls, so come prepared with earplugs.
Features
Breakfast for a fee, small fitness center, Wi-Fi for a fee, business center, carvery restaurant
Carvery meals and hearty English breakfasts (for a hefty fee) are the order of the day at the hotel's Oliver’s Restaurant. For drinks, light snacks, classic cocktails, and coffees there's the Londoner Bar, which is fine, but there are far nicer options in nearby Soho. The hotel's fitness center has a good range of equipment, but is rather small, which explains why it's called a MiniGym. There's room for up to 150 people in the hotel's meeting room, the Crystal Suite. The hotel is part of IHG Green Engage, which means that it's environmentally friendly, using bio-friendly cleaning products and being aware of their carbon footprint, amongst other practices. There is a business center, although Wi-Fi in the hotel isn't free unless you're a club member.
