Following a £2.5m investment and over a year’s work Mercure Oxford Eastgate Hotel invited us to join them in finally celebrating the launch of their brand-new extension, which welcomed not only 17 new bedrooms, but also a beautiful Champagne Terrace Bar and Lounge area. The launch party invitation promised canapes, cocktails and Taittinger tasting, and it certainly did not disappoint.
I was then shown up to my room in the new building to get settled before re-joining a little later. The whole building had that fresh, clean, ‘new smell’ which by the look on the face of the porter, I think I may have huffed in a little too enthusiastically. Our room was right at the top of the building, and the decoration was marvellously sleek and stylish, with deep green velvet furnishings and a bold orange headboard to the bed. The walls were adorned with literary-styled artwork as a nod to Oxford’s famous history.
Fully-equipped with everything you could need, we made use of every single feature of the room – you know, to get the full experience. So, after ironing all of our clothes, trying on our towelling dressing gowns, and playing with the coffee machine, we made our way back downstairs to re-join the party. By this time things were in full swing; the swanky new lounge area bustling with people and a musician providing us with some smooth renditions of Elton John in the background. The vast selection of canapes being served outside on the terrace were yet another welcome sight.
We weren’t the only customers who appreciated the service either, overhearing the table next to us gushing about how friendly the staff were, and I couldn’t agree more. No ask felt too much, even my boyfriend’s request for a white Russian, despite it not being on the menu, because he ‘wanted to feel like he was in The Big Lebowski’; “I’ll see what we can do” she said, five minutes before returning with a perfectly made, creamy white Russian. We followed the starter with a light but filling salmon salad, finishing off with a cheese board which we were sadly too full to finish and too embarrassed to wrap up and smuggle upstairs.
The 24-hour reception was really helpful in aiding our sudden urge to play cards at 1 am and I can imagine for slightly more pressing matters this would be a really important touch, providing that extra sense of security to one’s visit.
The perfect end to our stay was the leisurely check-out time of 12-noon. Walking outside, the central location meant I could walk home in five minutes, but for someone visiting the area you truly can’t get a better spot. Wherever you might fancy exploring you’re already there and you can be assured you’ll be well looked after when you’re back.