The Varsity

The Varsity Hotel & Spa

"How did it strike you on arrival?A slick, fashionable Soho House-type of a hotel in Cambridge. What's not to love? Varsity oozes modern cool in an otherwise archaic city. What’s the crowd like?It's all Champagne Socialists here. No really! The gorgeous rooftop bar is full of smartly dressed types drinking fizz and G&Ts and gazing out over the spires and rooftops of Cambridge. The good stuff: Tell us about the rooms.They're modern, clean and light filled. The Graduate Room is a basic double and it's pretty decent overall. The Senior Fellow room I was in is bigger and brighter, with patterned wallpaper behind a King sized wooden bed, and fabulous tablet with free newspapers and magazines loaded up on it. There's plenty of wardrobe space and a decent mini-bar. Plus the bedside lighting is perfect for reading. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?No complaints about the bed—bouncy, and lots of soft pillows to throw around. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that worth a mention?Complimentary bottled water and strong in room Wi-Fi are always winners, and the funky jars of jellybeans and cashews tell me that I am in the right hotel. I eat all of them and buzz down for replacements. The LCD TV is also in just the right position to watch from bed, and they'll give you DVDs if you need them. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.One of the best hotel bathrooms I've used at this price range—there's underfloor heating, the walk-in monsoon shower is surrounded by perfect bevelled edge black tiles and the products are by Elemis, who manage the spa downstairs and to which guests get free entry. Room service: Anything worth ordering?The room service menu is unfussy, comfort food. Think cheeseburgers that will fill you up after a night at the pub. Under a tenner was worth it. Any other tips?Book a window table at the main hotel restaurant Six so you can eat with a view. Hang out on the grassy rooftop and drink. Spend some time in the Elemis spa especially in the starry jacuzzi room which looks onto the River Cam. Bottom line: worth it, and why?It's the perfect boutique Cambridge hotel and hard to fault—definitely the rooftop bar is a winner." - Ramsay Short