Increasing demand from corporate and tourism clients has prompted an Oxfordshire hotel to convert a nearby office building to create 22 additional rooms.

The Oxford Witney Hotel just off the A40 is managed by Focus Hotels Management Ltd and underwent major refurbishment in 2018.

The hotel has now created 22 additional en suite bedrooms by converting a former office building next door.

Focus Hotels Managing Director Alun Edwards said: “The offices belonged to the previous owners and had been left empty for years.

“With year-round demand from corporate clients and the many leisure groups that want to come to Oxfordshire, we decided it was time to increase the capacity and move the business forward.”

Extensive conversion and refurbishment work took place between August and December last year.

Oxford Witney Hotel General Manager Rafael Gonzalez said:

“When we took over the hotel it was very tired and dated but still drawing good business.

“We have converted the redundant offices to 22 4-star executive rooms, many of which have great views over the Oxfordshire countryside.

“We also converted some under-used meeting rooms to add a further six, bringing the total number of bedrooms to 115.”

The converted building is architecturally identical to the original hotel and linked through an internal corridor.

"The ground floor of the hotel has been fully refurbished and the brasserie restaurant has been updated and extended to create a new conservatory.”

The hotel also has a well-equipped gymnasium and good-sized swimming pool along with spa bath, steam room, and sauna.

Rafael Gonzalez added:

“We are just off the A40 at Witney - with Oxford city centre, the Cotswolds, Blenheim Palace and the popular Bicester Village retail centre within easy driving distance - so there is strong demand from tourists and business people.

“Sustained investment has created a bright, light and contemporary hotel to suit the demands of today’s corporate and tourism client. We believe our rolling programme of refurbishment will make a great hotel even better.”

Focus Hotel Management is a leading independent hospitality management company with a portfolio of 15 hotels open, under development and in planning totalling 1,948 bedrooms.