Malmaison Oxford is a fantastic quirky hotel where we have stayed before. However this stay during the heatwave in June 2026 was unbearable. The room was stifling hot, there was no air conditioning in the room, the tower fan in the room simply circulated hot air and the one window in the room did not open! It really was like being in prison overnight. It was the worst night I’ve ever spent in a hotel due to the heat and barely slept. It ruined our mini break. To be fair the hotel did offer compensation which I accepted gratefully but I’d rather have had a better experience. I was told by the front desk that due to the hotel being a grade II listed building when it was converted from the prison to the hotel 20 years ago they could not get approval to install air airconditioning, apparently they have just received approval, although it will take 2 years to fully install.

Poor ac in the cell rooms. Not really worth the high ptuce

Staff were very welcoming and helpful. Great location for Oxford.

The rooms had forced-air air conditioning, but it was not working at all on a very hot night. The windows only open an inch or so, and while that allowed in the noise from the bar courtyard below, it did nothing to alleviate the heat. The staff did provide a fan when asked. Otherwise, I would not have been able to sleep at all. Bottom line, avoid Malmaison when the weather is hot.

Great property- staff were all very friendly and helpful. Rooms were spacious. Breakfast was great. For a small fee we were offered an upgrade before check-in which was an easy process.

Stayed in the larger prison room during the hottest day in the UK and don’t need the air conditioning. Staff were great and staying in a prison was super cool

I loved my stay at Malmaison!! Apart from the novel concept, the property was very beautiful and well-maintained, it was centrally located, and the staff were incredibly kind and helpful. I was nervous about the lack of AC in standard cell rooms during the heatwave, but the building’s cooling system + fan was incredibly effective. We were also provided with complimentary water due to the heat, which was a game changer. I would definitely stay here again

An amazing stay in Oxford, with a difference!!! Would recommend this for anyone looking for something different!!

Location superb, clean and refreshing rooms, however little air-conditioning in the heat wave not ideal. Check the weather before committing

Excellent service, location and room maintenance

Fine

Junior suite was beautiful Great location

It’s an expensive novelty, it’s comfortable and in a good location. Would have been good to have some historical information on the walls and made more of the fact that it is a very old prison.

The property is an old prison and has great character. We were a party of five and all thought the stat was excellent.

Amazing place full of interesting history the staff couldn't be more helpful polite and friendly nothing was any trouble a special thankyou to Kieran went above and beyond 😀 thankyou

This was a fantastic hotel and we wish we could have stayed longer. It was VERY QUIET at night and the food in the restaurant was excellent, as was the service by all hotel staff. Fun place!

Over all my stay at the Malmaison Hotel was good. The room was clean - breakfast was excellent! and the staff are attentive and friendly.

Great location and really great facilities

No coffee m/c in room. Otherwise very pleasant but a lot of money for one night.

Great hotel with loads of character. Perfect location for exploring Oxford and the staff were all so friendly and helpful. Will definitely be returning.