The Varsity Hotel & Spa, Cambridge

The beautiful university town of Cambridge has long needed a decent hotel. The Crowne Plaza just doesn’t cut it anymore and there really wasn’t any decent alternatives in the town centre until The Varsity Hotel & Spa opened in September last year.  An independently owned 48 room boutique hotel and spa in the hub of the Cambridge’s buzzing Quayside area, I couldn’t wait to try it out.

From the moment of arrival, the friendly and helpful Varsity staff made our stay an utter delight, organising and attending to our every whim and request. Showing us to our vast penthouse suite, we surveyed the modern British interior concept, which tastefully juxtaposes the traditional with cutting-edge  design elements.

Although each room is individual, there is a theme with strong patterned wallpapers from 19th Century English cotton print, botanical influences, solid oak flooring throughout each room, sandstone bathrooms with monsoon showers and some with  free standing Victorian baths.

The top two floors of the hotel are made entirely from glass allowing breath-taking views of the surrounding area from the comfort of the room, making you feel truly amongst the lofty St John’s spires and heady heights of King’s College chapel. In fact, we almost didn’t want to leave our room – and probably wouldn’t were it not for the lure of the spa.

Located in the adjoining warehouse building, the fitness centre provides a cutting-edge health club with state-of-the-art gym equipment and yoga, pilates, aerobics, spinning classes on site.  The spa itself comprises of a beautiful Jacuzzi that overlooks the river, a sauna and steam room and eight private rooms offering Aveda treatments. I opted for a relaxing full body massage which had me feeling de-stressed and entirely rejuvenated after the 60 minutes were up.

But the most stunning part of the hotel, which has just newly opened in 2011 is The Varsity Rooftops. It is one of the highest vantage points in the town centre and is entered through a James Bond style automated glass hatch. The Rooftops are surrounded by glass panels, allowing a perfectly clear view for miles from all angles.

Open during the day for afternoon tea, drinks and refreshments, it is set to be the hottest place in Cambridge for private parties – and I imagine a sunbathing hotspot too for hotel guests during the summer months.

Additional complimentary amenities include wireless internet access throughout the hotel, a DVD and music library with an iPod dock in every room, sparkling and still water and fruit on arrival and papers and magazines in communal guest areas.

Bedrooms are available for check in from 3pm and check out is by 11.30am the following morning.

BOOKING INFORMATION

• PHONE: 01223 30 60 30
• EMAIL: info@thevarsityhotel.co.uk

ADDRESS

The Varsity Hotel and Spa

24 Thompson's Lane

Cambridge

CB5 8AQ

www.thevarsityhotel.co.uk

RATES

From £155 upwards