Varsity Hotel & Spa

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.