Situated along the tranquil banks of the River Cam, the historic city of Cambridge welcomes with an intellectual allure that resonates through its hallowed halls and picturesque landscapes. Renowned worldwide for its prestigious university, Cambridge is a captivating blend of scholarly tradition and timeless beauty. The city’s architectural splendour is showcased in the iconic spires of its colleges, Gothic chapels, and charming cobblestone streets, where history unfolds at every turn. As the rhythmic punting of flat-bottomed boats creates a soothing melody on the river, visitors find themselves immersed in the scholarly ambience that has shaped the minds of luminaries throughout the ages. Beyond the academic prestige, Cambridge unveils a vibrant cultural scene, with museums, galleries, and quaint cafes lining the charming streets. Here are our favourite 5-star and luxury hotels to stay at in the city.
The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton
Stay while at The Fellows, where you’ll have your own studio or one-bedroom apartment, with facilities to cook and dine in private. You may prefer to tuck into home-style classic meals in The Folio Bar & Kitchen, which takes inspiration from pioneers in the world of science and the university’s former Fellows. Drinks can also be enjoyed in the hotel’s peaceful garden, dotted with sculptures celebrating astronomer William Hershel and including The Observatory — a snug-covered space catering to cinema screenings. Or grab a bite in the Sage of Cambridge. Additionally, The Fellows House offers a heated indoor pool, gym, sauna, steam room and free loaner bikes.
Hyatt Centric Cambridge
This sustainable contemporary hotel borrows many design motifs from the Art Deco era across public spaces and 150 dog-friendly bedrooms. By contrast, The Astronomer restaurant sports an urban industrial style with nautical influences and serves food all day, throughout the week. Light, bright co-working spaces with courtyard views will appeal to digital nomads, or those needing to catch up on some business, while Luminosity + Encryption rooms cater for meetings. And there’s a 24-hour gym with equipment including a CrossFit bike, free weights, kettlebells and slam balls. Hyatt Centric is located in the Eddington complex.
Graduate Cambridge
The sophisticated boutique hotel overlooks the River Cam and offers stunning views of the local area. Just a short walk from the University and close to the historic centre, the hotel presents guests with a convenient location. The four-star hotel takes inspiration from the prestigious University and throughout the hotel there are nods to college architecture and crests, and discoveries like the DNA double helix. Rooms are refined and comfortable with upgraded rooms boasting a private balcony and river views whilst the 2-room penthouse includes a private roof terrace. Riverfront dining (indoors and outdoors) can be enjoyed in the hotel’s restaurant Garden House. The restaurant serves a seasonal flame-focussed menu with a great range of British, European and new world wines and creative cocktails to compliment at Garden Bar.
University Arms Hotel, Autograph Collection
Following a complete redesign of the property by architect John Simpson and interior designer Martin Brudnizki in 2019, University Arms Hotel part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection portfolio has reestablished itself as one of Cambridge’s most remarkable destinations. The property offers 192 rooms and suites across four floor, with views Park’s Piece and historic Regent Street. The property is undeniably British through and through. Classic Edwardian interiors are combined with bespoke, leather-padded writing desks, low ottomans and tiered chandeliers in playful colours and rooms full of natural light. We love their suites each individually named with a bookshelf of books curated by Mayfair’s Heywood Hill, large sitting rooms to relax in, while some also include walk on balconies. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served on their brasserie Parkers Tavern, which has a menu of British classics made with seasonal ingredients sourced from England.
The Varsity Hotel and Spa, Thompsons Lane
The Varsity of one of the cities most luxurious properties and also conveniently located in the city centre close to St John’s, Trinity, Jesus and Magdalene College. King’s, Christ’s, Queens’, Gonville and Caius, Clare, Corpus Christi universities. Boutique in size with just 44 rooms, each being individually designed and celebrating the heritage of the city. Their Superking Rooms, feature four poster beds and gorgeous free standing hot tubs with walk out balconies, while their fellow suites is set over 80sqm, includes private terrace, 19” Apple Mac roll top bath and monsoon shower. The hotel includes two dining options SIX their brasserie on the top floor includes 360o views across Cambridge and serves dishes from their Wood Stone oven, Grill and Rotisserie, while their Steakhouse The River Bar down at the river Cam serves 28 day dry aged steaks. If you are looking for some pampering head to the hotel’s spa The Glassworks which includes an Elewmis Spa, Gym, Steam Room ands Jacuzzi.
Gonville Hotel
Looking out on the southern corner of the 25 acre Parkers Piece park the Gonville Hotel offers a truly unique experience in the heart of the city. It is just a short walk from the hotel to Market square and Cambridge’s colleges. The hotel has been recently renovated and the finished look is both contemporary but in keeping with the history of this historical city. if you want complete luxury book one of their eight feature rooms in Gresham House the stand along villa in the hotel. Each room has been individually styles and features extras like Bose speakers, cashmere bed, and glorious ESPA toiletries in the bathroom. Foodies can rejoice as the hotel has some of the best dining in Cambridge. You can have Fine Dining in the hotel’s Cotto Restaurant overseen by Master Chef Hans Schweitzer and lunch in the Atrium Brasserie. They also have a comprehensive wellness spa offering a large range of spa treatments, and to top things off they offer complimentary picks up and drop offs in the hotel’s Bentley.
Tamburlaine
One of the cities newest luxury hotel’s The Tambulaine is a stunning and elegant hotel in an ideal location close to the centre of Cambridge. The hotel takes its inspiration from its namesake from 16th century dramatist and Cambridge alumni Christopher Marlowe’s most famous character. The hotel offers 155 guest rooms, which include floors to ceiling windows to let in maximum light. Décor is charming and full of character, with a base palette of Cambridge blue highlighting dark wood panelling, polished concrete, gleaming brass and richly patterned fabrics. The hotel’s bar offers seasonal menu options, while the Brasserie-style dining room features a majestic carved marble bar, along with accents of soft leather, gleaming brass and salvaged timber. And if you want somewhere to cost away in head to the library which features leather armchairs, an open fire and is where their Afternoon Tea is served each day.
Turing Locke, Eddington
180 one and two-bedroom apartments feature the aparthotel brand’s signature fully fitted kitchens, with design inspired by the city’s avant-garde reputation. Some come with a terrace, and all have blackout blinds, Chromecast, USB sockets, yoga mats and a weekly cleaning service. Public spaces include a bar, restaurant, coffee shop, rooftop terrace with lovely views, a workout space, a co-working area and a salon. There’s also a courtyard accented by an installation by local artist, Fiona Curran; Bright Shadows Point celebrates the 100-year-old artefacts gathered from local settlements. Turing Locke is found in the new sustainable district of Eddington.
