Tower House, Oxford

Central yet quiet, the Tower House has a near-ideal location on a traffic-free street just off the main drag. Stroll to the Radcliffe Camera, Oxford's most iconic landmark, drop into Blackwell's to peruse the books, the Weston Library to see the latest exhibition or the tiny White Horse for a quick pint. Practically everything is on the doorstep: Jesus, Exeter, Trinity and Brasenose Colleges, the Victorian Covered Market, the High Street and the Bodleian.

By car: The hotel is 1 hour 30 mins from London, 1 hour 20 mins from Birmingham and 3 hours from Manchester. The Westgate multi-storey carpark is around 10 minutes' walk away and there are two other city centre car parks nearby.

By train: London Paddington or Marylebone to Oxford takes around 1 hour. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the station. Book trains to Oxford.

The innocuous front door gives no idea of what lies beyond the entrance of the Tower House, a warren-like period townhouse with low ceilings and narrow corridors, unexpected nooks and crannies, and remnants of a medieval bastion wall. Rooms have exposed beams and sloping floors, crooked doors and original fireplaces.

The property feels more like a B&B than a hotel with limited facilities and reception hours. You'll get your own front door key to come and go as you please and, unless you have a problem, see little of the staff. There's a communal living room to relax in but little else.

• Lounge
• Free Wi-Fi

The building's layout remains little changed and the rooms reflect this: some are small and intimate, others spacious and bright. Opt for an upgrade if you want a private bathroom, but the tasteful, minimalist styling and the antique and handmade furniture throughout give the simple, bright rooms a rustic charm.

Room types: Double Shared Bathroom, Standard Ensuite, Double Deluxe Ensuite

Key amenities: wash basin, toiletries, towels, hairdryer, flatscreen TV, tea and coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi

The Tower House does not have an on-site restaurant, but its sister property, the Turl Street Kitchen, is just around the corner and has a limited but appealing menu with plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices for breakfast. It's a popular spot during the day, book ahead for lunch.

Breakfast: Tower House is currently not offering breakfast in its room rates, but is close to a number of cafés and restaurants.