Randolph Hotel, Oxford
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality |
| Founded | 1866 |
| Headquarters | Oxford , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | Oxford |
| Products | Hotel accommodation, dining |
| Owner | Graduate Hotels (since 2019) |
| Parent | Graduate Hotels |
| Website | www |
The Randolph Hotel, also operating under the name The Randolph Hotel by Graduate Hotels, is a luxury 5-star accommodation situated in Oxford, England. Positioned on Beaumont Street at its intersection with Magdalen Street, it stands directly opposite the Ashmolean Museum and is in close proximity to the Oxford Playhouse. The structure is an example of Victorian Gothic architectural style.
The hotel gained recognition through its role in the television series Inspector Morse, especially highlighted in the episode titled "The Wolvercote Tongue", which inspired the creation of a dedicated Morse Bar within the premises. It also appeared in the sequel series Lewis.
History
The building's construction commenced in 1864, based on designs by architect William Wilkinson, who was noted for his residential projects in North Oxford. The architectural approach merged Gothic Revival elements championed by John Ruskin with a more classical aesthetic preferred by the Oxford City Council, resulting in a modest Gothic brick frontage that harmonizes with surrounding university architecture.
Contrary to some assumptions, the hotel is named after Dr Francis Randolph, an 18th-century benefactor of the university and former Principal of St Alban Hall, rather than Lord Randolph Churchill. Dr Randolph’s endowment also contributed to establishing the university’s Randolph Galleries, now incorporated into the Ashmolean Museum.
Since its opening in 1866, The Randolph Hotel has undergone significant renovations during 1952, 1978, 1988, and 2000. The 1952 update included a western wing extension designed by J. Hopgood.
On 17 April 2015, a major fire broke out in the kitchen due to flambéed beef, causing substantial damage but fortunately resulting in no injuries. The hotel's evacuation process received commendations from emergency responders. Fire containment was achieved by 20:00 that evening.
In 2019, ownership transferred to the American hotel group Graduate Hotels, which incorporated The Randolph into its collection while preserving its historic character.