When planning a vacation to any area surrounding London, one city that you will not want to miss is Oxford.  The University alone is reason enough to come to Oxford, as well as the other historical characteristics of the city.  After hearing about all of the wonderful sights and activities in the city, many make the decision of choosing accommodation in Oxford.  When choosing accommodation in Oxford, there are various choices of hotels, cottages, or bed & breakfasts.  It all depends on your preferences and your budget. 
 
One of the main reasons that visitors to the London area find themselves choosing accommodation in Oxford is due to the fact that it is fairly difficult to drive into the city centre of Oxford.  The council has made many of the streets one-way to protect those on bicycles or walking, which makes it difficult for drivers to maneuver through the streets.  Most of the parking is on the outskirts of the city, meaning that you can park and then walk to the city centre.  It is possible to park in the centre of the city, but the prices to park in the parking decks are very expensive, and are not a wise option for travelers.  

You will find that the accommodation choices in the centre of Oxford are fairly limited.  However, there have been several hotel chains to open locations on the outskirts of the city. This is best for those who are seeking more modern amenities when choosing accommodation in Oxford.  You will be in close distance to the centre of the city, while also having a relaxing retreat at the end of the day.   

While it is not a wise choice to drive to the centre of the city, it might be a good option to rent a car before coming to Oxford.  This way, you will have transportation if you want to visit surrounding areas or if you would like to stay in a different type of accommodation.  There are many cottages and country houses that are open to travelers choosing accommodation in Oxford.  Meaning that you will need a car to get to these locations.  There are also quaint bed & breakfasts in the country as well.  Staying out in the country side is a great idea if you are seeking relaxation.  Many of the accommodation locations might not have all of the modern amenities, but it is possible to pick and choose before making your reservations.  

As mentioned earlier, your preferences when choosing accommodation in Oxford will depend on your budget.  However, it might also depend on your lifestyle.  If you are young and traveling alone, seeking accommodation at a hostel in the city centre is a more ethical approach.  You can meet other people your age, while being close to all of the popular tourist spots.   
Many of the hostels are also very clean and well maintained.  If you have never stayed in a hostel before, most guests stay in joining rooms, so you might be sleeping in a room with a stranger.  However, the females are usually in a separate room from the males.  You can get your own room, but the price will be more expensive.  This is one of the main reasons it is best to travel in a group so that you can split the cost.   

For an even less conventional visit, there are several colleges in Oxford that will allow you to rent a room.  Keep in mind that these are dormitory rooms, meaning that they are fairly small.  The showers are also a public shower used by the other students, many of which are co-ed.  Once again, this might be a better choice for younger travelers who are choosing accommodation in Oxford.   

Even though the choices for lodging areas are minimal in the centre of the city, you can still have an easy time choosing accommodation in Oxford.  Searching on the Internet is the best way to find a place to stay, mostly because you can review various choices and read reviews of previous travelers who had to find accommodation in Oxford.