Hotel review: Lambert Hotel, Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire

The Lambert Hotel is a former Georgian coaching inn that has been restored and converted into a lovely place to stay along the M-40 just a short drive from Oxford. It is located off of exit 6 and is visible if you are coming from Oxford.

The front of the main building is everything you could want in a romantic looking country inn. Looking Tudor being white and black, it is not nearly that old but rather mid-Victorian. There is an additional brick building behind which houses the majority of rooms. Nine are located within the inn and are the superior rooms. The inn sells itself as a wedding venue for up to 120 people and there are event rooms as well.

Rooms are on two floors and there is an elevator, so don't worry about having to carry your luggage. Plenty of free parking is available not far from the room. The room had two twin beds put together as a king size. A plasma TV was on the wall with a nice selection of channels. Two chairs flank a small table that holds a tea tray with biscuits and tea, coffee and hot chocolate.

The room also has a desk with Internet connection which is complimentary. The wireless, however, only works in the lobby and the restaurant not in the rooms. Two bottles of water are provided on the desk as well as the information book about available services as well as what to visit in the area, there is a lot.

The room is spacious, not just in British terms but in American terms. It has additional furniture in the form of an armoire and two-night stands and an additional small table. Plenty of lights and electric plugs are also offered. The rooms were immaculate, the floors were carpeted and the overall, the decor was warm. There were three mirrors as well, one in the bathroom, a full length on the wall and one over the desk.

The bathroom has a large deep tub, pedestal sink and is also spacious. The shampoo and conditioner are good enough to take with you and use again.

The dining room has one rosette. Dinner was an excellent experience even though the fish and chips were a bit heavy with grease. The dessert sampler, however, is excellent and worth getting.

Breakfast is served during the week between 7-9 a.m., it is included in the price but it is Continental. If you want a hot meal, there is an additional charge. The Continental is a buffet. It offers cold meats and cheeses, fruit, bread to toast, cereal and yogurt. Plenty of food is provided but it is disappointing to not get hot food for the rates that are charged for the rooms here.

The dining staff in the evening was wonderful. The desk staff in the evening was not knowledgeable and needs to get additional training. If you are looking for a place to stay close to the A-40 this hotel is well- located and comfortable but not as special you might expect from the website.