Luxury hotel with only 2 underground rooms, used to be... public toilets

Built in 1895 – during the Victorian era – The Netty was originally used as a public toilet for men, according to Uniq Hotels.

A view of St. Giles in 1915, when The Netty was still used as a public toilet. Photo: Uniq Hotels

After more than a century of operation, the toilet complex was closed in 2008 for safety reasons. After many years of abandonment, many people no longer remember the existence of this historic structure in Oxford.

A local business later bought this special "public toilet" with the hope of turning it into an impressive destination of the city.

In 2019, the project to renovate the building was officially approved by the Oxford government. Photo: BBC

However, the renovation is a multi-year journey. The owner must seek permission from Oxford authorities to change the purpose of use, on the condition that the surrounding historical architectural elements remain intact.

By 2019, The Netty hotel project was officially approved. Famous British designer Rachael Gowdridge was "chosen" to take on the main task of transforming the interior of this project.

Historical values are preserved and honored. Photo: Uniq Hotels

Rather than “hiding the past,” she sought to celebrate it as part of the historic legacy. The original brick walls were left intact, the Victorian floor tiles were restored, and the glass panels on the sidewalks were enlarged to allow natural light to filter into the underground space.

Thanks to that, The Netty still retains the "classic breath" in a modern, comfortable and artistic style.

One of the smallest hotels in the UK, The Netty has just two rooms. Photo: Uniq Hotels

The Netty has only two bedrooms, one on each side of the old building. The wooden staircase leading down, the soft light from the hanging lamps helps guests not feel claustrophobic.

Each room is decorated in bold tones, inspired by Oxford’s museums and theatres. Glossy ceilings reflect light, soft arched curtains evoke an old stage, while brass and marble details create a luxurious yet intimate feel.

Bathrooms feature patterned tiles, rainfall showerheads, and handcrafted sinks that are both classic and sophisticated. The entire space is carefully curated to ensure absolute privacy.

Another special feature is that The Netty has no reception hall, no 24/7 staff, only a detailed instruction call when guests arrive.

Rooms at The Netty currently start from around £170 a night. Despite not having a restaurant or on-site dining options, the hotel is always fully booked thanks to its central location, which offers easy access to dozens of cafes, restaurants and bakeries on the same St. Giles Street.

From the hotel, it is just a few minutes walk to the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford Theatre or famous ancient markets.

The underground space makes The Netty warm in winter, cool in summer. When you arrive, you will not see any large signs, but instead a small staircase leading down to a beautiful "underground world " under the ancient city of Oxford.

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Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/khach-san-xa-xi-chi-co-2-phong-duoi-long-dat-tung-la-nha-ve-sinh-cong-cong-2453700.html