6 Best places to stay in Cambridge

Hotel du Vin practically invented the boutique hotel concept, and its clever mix of indulgent brasserie and bar, and chic, pared-down rooms works perfectly in this former university building.  

Parts date back to medieval times, but the classic chocolate-and-honey decor ensures the bistro and bar feel warm and buzzy. Serious vinophiles can book tastings with the hotel’s sommelier. 

The rooms are elegant, the location – walkable from all the main sights – is excellent, but it’s the service that really sets Duke House apart; owner Tina gives the warmest welcome, and is always on hand for everything from bespoke breakfasts to restaurant recommendations and shopping tips. 

Of the five rooms, plump for the Cambridge, which has a small private balcony – perfect for watching the sun set over the city’s rooftops. The B&B also has its own parking – a boon in busy Cambridge.  

It’s perfectly situated for exploring all that Cambridge has to offer; most of the colleges are within a couple of minutes’ walk, and the Grand Arcade, the city’s premier shopping venue, is equally close. 

A big, bustling hotel, the Clayton is a good bet for anyone looking for a place to stay with serious buzz, rather than the muted elegance that characterises many of Cambridge’s other hotels, boutique hotels and B&Bs.

The good-sized rooms come with a dollop of style; hand-made desks and wood-panelled headboards, and luxury marble bathrooms.

The glammy, circular cocktail bar is a great place to start the night – if it feels too lively, the book-lined lounge has more of a genteel feel.  Dinner in the restaurant is ideal for families or friends, rather than an intimate meal a deux.

Located right next to Cambridge train station, the hotel is ideal for a car-free break. The Botanic Gardens are a couple of minutes’ walk, while most of the main sites and colleges are within ten minutes on foot. The hotel’s location just outside the main sightseeing area also makes it a good bet if you want to escape the crowds.

A recent revamp has elevated the Gonville from a comfortable base to a super-chic bolthole with a renowned restaurant. Genteel pleasures abound – evening drinks on the pristine lawn, live jazz in the Atrium bar and Modern British cuisine in the Terrace restaurant. 

The hotel has its own separately located spa, Gresham House – on oasis of botanically-scented calm in a coolly-restored Victorian villa – just the place to dust off the city’s bustle for an hour or two.  

The hotel makes exploring the city easy; there are bikes to hire, or guests can book a guided tour by Bentley. This one’s ideal for couples, looking for a romantic base among the bustle. 

Cambridge’s hippest address, the Varsity sits on the banks of the River Cam, and envelops guests into the city’s rich academic history.   

Each room is named after a college, and has decorations connected with famous alumni – from paintings of Wordsworth to photos of T E Lawrence. All boast floor-to-ceiling windows, offering lovely views over the river towards the city centre. 

But the biggest draw here is Six Bar & Restaurant; spread across the roof of the hotel, with spectacular views of the colleges and city skyline.

There’s a second restaurant – the River Bar Steakhouse – set on a quay right by the water; both are hugely popular with the student population – book in advance to get a table, particularly on the roof. 

If one hotel in Cambridge truly epitomises the city, it’s the University Arms; the gracious Edwardian building has been welcoming guests since 1834, and that history has been firmly kept in the mix when the building was restored and reopened for business in 2018.

Rooms ooze classic British style without a hint of chintz; chandeliers and velvet ottomans in muted hues, with cool dove-blue decor. The restaurant, Parker’s Tavern, is one of the city’s best eateries, serving up thoughtfully-reinvented classic dishes, from watercress soup and sole with brown butter, to coronation chicken salad and roast rib of beef, cooked over coals.

As welcoming to families as groups of friends and couple of all ages, this is a vibrant, slickly-run, dream of a place to stay.