Inside Oxfordshire spa retreat hotel with hot stone massages

During this long-running series of feature reads reviewing spots across Oxford and beyond, I have been to some special places.

From cosy countryside inns to extravagant historic halls and everything in between, the Mail has had the pleasure of visiting Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Minster Mill and more.

Yet I had not tried out a spa at any of these locations, nor anywhere else in my 26 years of existence, that was until Sunday (March 22).

READ MORE: Take an inside look around ‘the best hotel in Oxford’

The Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa. (Image: Newsquest)

Over the weekend, I took my latest Oxfordshire hotel stay at the Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa off the A40 London Road between Wheatley and Thame.

Sitting around eight miles from Oxford city centre, the site was originally developed in a Tudor‑style cloister layout about a century ago.

This was before it was later converted into a hotel, now wrapped around landscaped courtyards and gardens with 154 rooms and suites spread across three floors

Now under the control of The GHotels Collection, the four‑star hotel completed its most recent refurbishment in 2018.

READ MORE: Inside boutique hotel hidden gem nestled in sleepy Cotswolds village

A seating area in the room. (Image: Newsquest)

The hotel markets itself as a base for exploring both Oxford and the Cotswolds, with Blenheim Palace, Bicester Village and central Oxford all within easy driving distance.

On site, there is a full leisure club with a gym, 17‑metre indoor pool, spa treatment rooms, tennis courts and a croquet lawn, as well as bar and restaurant spaces looking out over the grounds.

Oxfordshire County Council also lists the Oxford Belfry as an approved venue for weddings and civil ceremonies, adding another strand to its business alongside leisure breaks and conferences.

All of which sounded ideal on paper, and it is safe to say that the hotel does not fall short of its positive reputation once you step through the doors.

READ MORE: Inside lavish hotel nestled in charming Oxfordshire town

The bed in the suite. (Image: Newsquest)

Jordyn and I stayed in a junior suite room on the top floor, which was incredibly spacious with a bed area, desk, ensuite bathroom, and a separate seating area to lounge in.

There were two televisions in the room, as well as a well-stocked mini-bar, which we made good use of throughout the stay.

Bottles of white wine, Pepsi and Coors were all available to crack open at leisure, while there were also savoury pretzel snacks to graze on.

Of course, the beverages were completed by the usual selection of teas and coffees as well as some complementary biscuits.

READ MORE: Inside ‘the best hotel in Oxfordshire’ with seven-course Michelin meal

A lounge area in the suite. (Image: Newsquest)

A wardrobe and safe were also present in the suite alongside a large mirror and a selection of reading bits such as a copy of Thame Out magazine.

There was a bottle of red wine left out for us by the friendly and polite hotel staff, along with a handwritten note to welcome us to the Belfry.

We had views of nature from our windows, and the bed was comfy and made for a great night’s sleep later that night.

Before I could get my head down for some well-earned kip, we had a reservation at the restaurant downstairs.

READ MORE: Inside boutique hotel housed in 14th century Cotswolds manor

The restaurant at night. (Image: Newsquest)

The classic-cum-modern dining room with grey-painted panel walls catered for a multitude of tables and hungry diners that Saturday evening.

With a carafe of water on the table, we were then offered a wide selection of wines and tipples from the bar, including, but not limited to, Staropramen, Aspall, and Pravha.

For starters, both Jordyn and I opted for the sticky BBQ pork belly before we opted for alternate mains.

I had a great beef burger with skin-on fries and coleslaw, while my partner in crime opted for a salmon linguine.

READ MORE: Goodbye to Le Manoir: A final stay before iconic hotel and restaurant closes

The main meals at the restaurant. (Image: Newsquest)

Rounding off the meal, we had a Biscoff cheesecake topped with banana and a dark chocolate torte with chocolate ice cream, sharing each other’s.

The food throughout the evening was nice and left us both feeling very full, with the fries being a particular highlight.

After getting some rest, I awoke the next morning to try the sizeable shower, which was almost as big as the room itself.

Featuring a large rainforest head up above, the shower was as relaxing as it was cleansing, putting me in the right mindset ahead of my massage later that morning.

READ MORE: Inside serene Cotswolds getaway where Jeremy Clarkson visits

The bathroom and walk-in shower. (Image: Newsquest)

We headed down to breakfast first, and there was a cooked buffet-style service with everything you would want from a full English.

If a hot breakfast isn’t your bag, there were a variety of cereals, fruits and yoghurt to make for a healthier start to the day.

This was all complemented by a plethora of teas, coffees, juices and hot chocolate to drink along with pastries and muffins.

But enough of that, I know what you’ve been waiting for- the moment of truth, so to speak, with regards to the spa treatment.

READ MORE: Inside Michelin pub’s boutique rooms in sleepy Oxfordshire village

The massage room at the spa. (Image: Newsquest)

Did I survive the hot stones? Yes, and I have not felt as relaxed as that for several years, although having been based in two busy newsrooms, that’s not entirely a big surprise.

The massage lasted for around 50 minutes, and the masseuse was professional with expert knowledge, using the rocks to ease tensions in my back, legs and arms.

I was advised to avoid stressful activity for the rest of the day, so it was a rather good job that I caught my Wembley Stadium train on time for the Carabao Cup final.

Furthermore, my beloved Manchester City won against Premier League title race rivals Arsenal, so what could have been a stressful watch only added to my post-massage outlook.

READ MORE: Inside Oxfordshire country pub with ‘the best burger in UK’

Outside in the hotel’s garden. (Image: Newsquest)

All in all, it was a very relaxing stay, so the Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa did exactly what it said on the tin.

If you are visiting Oxford and want to stay on the outskirts and travel in, the spot represents the perfect place to do that.

If you live in the city and want a weekend getaway and detox but don’t want to travel too far, the hotel is a serene home from home.

Either way, the Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa is a great option to have when staying in the area, with polite staff, comfort food and an elite-level spa. Just try not to get lost in the walk-in shower.