The Netty offers just two suites but a stay inside the Victorian-era toilets promises to be quite the experience. The hotel is a good example of how atypical historic monuments can be transformed for the modern day and age.
While most public restrooms aren’t exactly a traveller’s dream – on the contrary, many do everything they can to avoid a toilet break – a former Victorian underground toilet in the British city of Oxford provides an exception to the rule. The restroom, originally built in 1895, had to shut its doors in 2008 due to safety concerns. For a long time, they thus remained unused, but since this summer, guests can actually book a stay inside the toilets.
Hotel The Netty – named after the Northern-British term for toilet – offers two luxurious and atypical suites, each offering room for two, and accessible via a street-level staircase. And while the hotel doesn’t have a reception, restaurant, or room service, a welcome cocktail awaits guests upon arrival, and a hotel helpline is available when needed.
A toilet with a twist
The interiors are rumoured to be inspired by the Ashmolean Museum next door and are certainly filled with remarkable details and decorative features. Rachael Gowdridge, a London-based interior designer, was in charge of the interiors.
“It was about transforming this overlooked structure into something that was elevated and intimate. Our nods to its previous use are subtle, rather than punching you in the face with, ‘Here is an old toilet’. When you go down there, it’s like you’re in your own world”, Gowdridge told The New York Times Style Magazine.
As far as the decor goes, the designer was not afraid to use colours. The entrance door to the toilet is painted in a bright red hue, the actual toilets inside are blue and pink, the ceilings are drenched in colourful paints, and there is no lack of patterns.
“Showcasing a rich and layered aesthetic, our theatrical details and curated displays evoke a distinct ambiance. Our design offers guests an immersive experience that reflects the unique location and storied history of the space. By integrating local craftsmanship and cultural touches, guests can enjoy striking details throughout their stay. These thoughtful surprises transform your stay into an adventure, making each stay memorable and distinctive”, The Netty explains.
As the rooms are situated underground, there are no windows overlooking the surroundings. However, frosted pavement glass has been added on the street level in order to provide some natural light coming in from above.
“I would say it’s one of the strangest places in Oxford to stay. We know we are not for everyone, but it is a very nice experience if you’re willing”, Ana Pinheiro, the hotel’s manager, told British newspaper The Sun.
Prices for a suite at The Nelly start from £170 per night.
