The Gonville Hotel, Cambridge, England - Explore & Book
"Cambridge is having a bit of a moment. Lauded for its venerable history and iconic colleges, punting along the Cam and vibrant arts scene, the city is also home to scientific and technological innovation - the epicentre of Silicon Fen. The Gonville Hotel epitomises this winning combo of heritage and high tech. Sited on the south side of 500-year-old green space Parker's Piece, it began life in 1830 as a Senior Fellows house for Gonville & Caius College. The intervening years saw an evolution from guesthouse to contemporary 92-room hotel - family-run now for over 50 years. There's a welcoming restaurant and bar on the ground floor serving good all-day bistro fare as well as high quality dining - perhaps on the terrace on a fine evening. Following the acquisition of neighbouring Victorian villa Gresham House, a delightful wellness spa was added into the mix, along with a further eight botanically themed and romantic rooms, and a garden for outdoor movie nights in the summer. Highs A good range of rooms to suit all budgetsLots of thoughtful details in rooms including iPad conciergesA good breakfast buffet and the excellent Terrace Restaurant; on Fridays and Saturdays there's live jazz in the convivial Atrium BarEasy to get to: the railway station is a few minutes' walk away and there's car parking on siteLovely friendly staff who strive to go above and beyond Lows Not in the very centre, it's a 10-15 minute walk to the collegesClassic rooms are compactFaint traces remain of The Gonville's former life as a chain hotel; these are being expunged over timeCar parking costs extra" - Nadine Mellor
