Just across from Oxford University’s photogenic and exclusive Balliol College is a hotel that doesn’t suffer from the comparison: The Store Oxford makes its home in the building that previously housed the famous Boswells department store. Hence the name. In its current incarnation it’s a thoroughly contemporary luxury hotel, one with style to spare and a level of comfort that places it at the top end of the local hospitality scene. Behind its handsome façade The Store is confidently, quietly modern in its style, in a way that particularly stands out in contrast with the traditional look that’s more typical around town. The accommodations, in particular, are full of references to the building’s history, even while the overall impression is one of stylish contemporary luxury. A subterranean spa is among the hotel’s charms, while its most unexpected attraction is a rooftop bar and terrace with a panoramic view of Oxford’s distinguished rooftops. Treadwell, the restaurant, serves seasonal and sustainable modern British fare; the ground-floor bar, which opens onto Broad Street, keeps the hotel connected with the city’s daily social life.