Cambridge is a university city that is rich in history and architecture. Every year, millions of travellers visit to feel the pull of this famous city. Visitors immerse themselves in its culture by visiting the centuries old colleges that comprise Cambridge University, going to museums, and punting, which is the national pastime of this historic city.
Some locals and tourists like to tour around the city within a day. However, you can also take a more leisurely approach by looking for hotels in Cambridge City Centre and booking an overnight stay to make the most out of your visit.
King’s Parade is in the heart of Cambridge city centre
Staying in one of the finest hotels in Cambridge City Centre allows you to explore the most famous sights within walking distance or within just a few miles of the city centre. You can also enjoy your short stay in Cambridge without any rush and even appreciate the city’s scenery from your hotel room.
There are many places to stay in Cambridge City Centre. Its hospitality scene offers you a broad range of options to choose, from homely to high-end to eclectic. Here are some of the best Cambridge hotels in the City Centre:
The Varsity Hotel and Spa
Admiring the view
If you are looking for a hotel that offers an outstanding view, consider the Varsity Hotel and Spa. This urban hotel in Cambridge, UK has a 7th-floor rooftop terrace that gives you a view of the historic city on any given day, where you can observe young locals and University students celebrating special occasions, the sight of college spires, and punts floating by on the nearby river Cam.
The Varsity Hotel and Spa is composed of 44 well equipped rooms, two sophisticated restaurants, a full-service gym, and a range of free fitness classes, all conveniently packaged for you.
It also has a stylish spa named The Elemis Spa. You can take advantage of their sauna, hot tub, steam room, and a list of bookable treatments if you want to relax after a long day of exploring Cambridge as well.
Check availability or make a booking now.
University Arms Hotel
The University Arms is known for its old school glamour, simply because it is the oldest central Cambridge hotel. After two years of grand renovation by architect John Simpson, the University Arms reopened with an all-new classy design and facilities.
The hotel features views that overlook Parker’s Piece and easy and direct access to the city centre.
This luxury Cambridge hotel’s entrance is a striking new porte-cochere, where the public areas are embellished with marbles, and the restaurant is helmed by Tristan Welch, Gordon Ramsay’s protégé.
All 192 rooms in the University Arms are each filled with curated books and art too– an accommodation in Cambridge City Centre shifted into a higher gear.
Click here to check availability or make a booking now.
Duke House
If you prefer staying in a Cambridge City Centre hotel that has a cosy and homey feel, you can consider staying at a breakfast and bed (B&B) hotel like Duke House. This B&B was formerly owned by the Duke of Gloucester in the ’60s and renovated by former designers, Liz and Rob Cameron.
Its central location is next to Christ’s Pieces, one of the city’s oldest green spaces, which means you are only ever a few minutes away from Cambridge’s key attractions.
This townhouse-turned-hotel offers five rooms adorned with fresh flowers, scented with lavender and even a decked private balcony where you can utilize the telescope for star-gazing. This hotel’s ambience and overall design will surely make you feel at home.
Gonville Hotel
Gonville Hotel is one of the hotels in Cambridge City Centre that provides contemporary décor and peaceful rooms, which are suitable for families and even dog owners.
What’s good about this hotel is that they can give you free access to their Bobbin bikes so that you can explore the riverside and antiquated villages nearby. During the summer, they have a calendar of outdoor cinema screenings and live jazz where you and your family can attend as well.
With only a few minutes’ walk from the City Centre, you can either stroll around Market Square or explore the vibrant Mill Road with quirky shops and brilliant pubs. The city’s famous Cambridge University and colleges are only a 10-minute walk away, whereas the rail station is only a 15-minute walk.
This hotel is also home to an indulgent Espa spa and two fine dining restaurants, where you and your family can bond after a long day of touring the city.
Click here to check availability and make a booking.
Hotel du Vin
Hotel du Vin & Bistro is one of the most aesthetically pleasing hotels in Cambridge city centre as this hotel is fit for culture vultures and museum hopping. This hotel maintains the quirk and character of its previous setting while offering its guests the luxuries of an urban boutique hotel.
Hotel du Vin is fashioned the look like old university lodgings; rooms are designed and named for winemakers and champagne houses, lots of staircases and odd-shaped landings, decorated with photographs, dim lighting, with exposed brickwork and dark wood floors.
Aside from museum hopping, you can visit some of the oldest and grandest colleges by taking a mere 10-minute walk.
This hotel also has an eclectic bar, where you can unwind after a long day of visiting museums and sights in Cambridge. Or you can go straight to your designated room and lay down on your bed’s Egyptian cotton bedding.
Click here to make a booking or check availability.
Anstey Hall
If you’re looking for somewhere quiet, the Anstey Hall is one of the most peaceful Cambridge Centre hotels as it is the place to go for fresh country air and a good night’s sleep.
Anstey Hall is a Grade I listed country house, which is a little further out of town but is still only a mere two miles from Cambridge City Centre, which makes it a good choice between town and country.
This former private home of businessman John de Bruyne is a mansion surrounded by parkland. Its picturesque grounds are now considered a popular wedding and events venue. Each room offers you a Nespresso machine, old-fashioned furniture, and elegant artwork. Meanwhile, some rooms have roll-top baths, drench showers, and four-posters.
Regent Hotel
This small family-run hotel holds an ethical stance and is only a short walk away from the City Centre.
The Regent hotel has 22 bright and modern rooms, overlooking the greensward of Parker’s Piece, where the rules of association football were first moulded in the mid-19th century.
Aside from being a qualified living wage employer, they also source fair trade products for buffet breakfast and toiletries, which are free from parabens and animal-based ingredients.
For more information or to make a booking, click here.
Clayton Hotel (formerly the Tamburlaine)
What was the Tamburlaine is now the Clayton Hotel. It is best known for its interior design and is located at the heart of a multi-million-pound expansion, next to the city’s train station.
Previously named after a 16th-century play by Christopher Marlowe, Tamburlaine mixes both modern and vintage features. Its stylish décor and character win over design snobs and enthusiasts. One hundred fifty-five rooms of this hotel are decorated in soothing colours from floor-to-ceiling, which achieves a sense of chic cosiness.
The Clayton Hotel (formerly Tamburlaine) has three distinct dining spaces that you can choose from. Some refreshment options run from the tranquil Steam Deli café, the colonial-style Garden Room, and the art-deco inspired Brasserie.
This hotel is close to the railway station, where you can take 20-minute strolls to the colleges and market square. It is near the Botanic Garden and only a short walk from the centre of town as well.
For more information, to check availability and make a booking click here.
Hilton Cambridge City Centre
Hilton Cambridge city centre
One of a number of Hilton Hotels in Cambridge, the Hilton Cambridge City Centre is located right in the middle of Cambridge, which means that almost anywhere in the city is within walking distance.
Just like the common spaces, all 198 rooms are modern but simple. Every room in this Cambridge hotel is well-furnished to a four-star standard. Other offers available are family rooms, a restaurant, and a fitness centre.
To check availability or make a booking click here.
iBis Cambridge Central Station
If you’re on a tight budget, you can also find cheap places to stay in Cambridge. In fact, the largest hotel in Cambridge also happens to be one of the best.
The iBis Cambridge Central Station is only steps away from the Cambridge train station. Without compromising on experience, Accor Hotels’ first property in the city was aimed to meet the needs of a budget traveller.
Aside from its convenient location, this hotel’s 231 rooms are up-to-date. This inexpensive hotel is perfect for entrepreneurs or those who are travelling for business, as it offers a coffee artisanal and plenty of rooms for handling meetings.
Click here to check availability or make a booking.
How To Choose The Right Hotel For You
Before making a final decision on where to stay in Cambridge City Centre, there are many factors you need to consider first. Having many options to choose from can be overwhelming, so we’ve gathered some important factors to consider when choosing the right hotel for you:
Location and Accessibility
Since you will be exploring Cambridge City Centre, it is ideal for you to check in a hotel that is situated in the proximity and gives you quick access to all the tourist spots.
Choosing a hotel that is in the centre of the city allows you to visit all the destinations by walking distance or a few steps away from your hotel. You can visit colleges and universities, museums, restaurants, shops, and other tourist attractions in less time. This makes your trip more enjoyable too. There are plenty of hotels near the Cambridge University colleges.
However, if you plan to stay a couple of miles away from the busy and noisy city, another factor to consider is the accessibility to smooth transportation. Look for hotels that offer shuttle services or public transport for you to be able to explore the city.
Price
If you are planning on travelling to Cambridge City Centre on a tight budget, or with family or friends, this is a vital factor to consider. The same goes if you’re someone who’s planning to stay in Cambridge for a longer period.
Keep in mind that you are not just paying for a temporary place to stay, but you are also paying for their services and facilities. You might want all of the facilities provided by 5 star hotels in Cambridge, or you might simply be looking for a budget place to stay.
You can filter out and sort all of your potential hotels, and compare them by price. However, you can also check or request for discounts. The enjoyment of your trip should align with the choice of Cambridge hotel that you are going to stay at, so choose the best value for your money.
Hotel Amenities
When choosing a hotel, it is essential to check all the services and facilities that you can take advantage of. In fact, one of the factors that tourists seek when staying at a hotel is the exceptional hospitality.
For example, if you are travelling for business, you need a hotel that has a stable and fast internet connection. But if you are a regular tourist, you can find a hotel that offers fantastic food and drink menu, room service, spa, gym, and more. Gather all the information that is provided by the hotel before booking a room.
It’s worth noting that the UK hotel star rating system is an indication of the facilities that a hotel has to offer, not necessarily the quality of the hotel. You may well find that you have a better stay in a 3 star hotel than you do in a 5 star hotel. Always check the reviews before making your final decision.
Read Testimonials & Reviews of Past Clients
Reading testimonials and reviews of previous guests online is one smart move when searching for the right hotel.
These reviews and testimonials are all written and published with honesty, which will help you be aware of and evaluate the hotel before deciding to book a room or not. You can do this by searching for travel blogs and websites, where they share their good or bad experiences with a specific hotel.
Finding the right hotel for you may be a time-consuming task, but it will correspond to your trip’s pleasure, which makes your Cambridge experience even more enjoyable.
The reason for your stay
Depending on why your visiting Cambridge, you might find some Cambridge hotels better suited to your visit than others. If you are planning a romantic weekend away in this beautiful city, then your needs from a hotel will most likely be different from if you are visiting for business, or perhaps to check out the city before coming to study here.