The Varsity

A fantastic hotel in a great location in the centre of Cambridge and by the Cam.||||The valet parking service is great. Although there are car parks around and not too far from the hotel, it is just so much easier and less stressful to have the job of negotiating the one-way streets given to someone else :)||||Our room was double aspect with juliet balconies and a well-thought out interior. The ensuite had a free-standing bath as well as a very good shower and a table and chair, allowing one to apply make-up sitting down; a nice touch. ||||The double bed was great, a big size with a good mattress; firm yet soft. I did like the sloping headboard very much as it made it so much easier to place the pillows for back support when sitting up in bed reading/watching the giant TV screen. The air-conditioning was easy to operate and worked perfectly, giving us a couple of relaxing nights away from the searing heat outside.||||We made use of the electric kettle and pod-coffee machine as well as the iron and ironing board provided. There is ample space for clothes in the wardrobe (as well as a serious-looking safe) and plenty of drawers in the table and desk provided. There was an Apple desk computer provided which I didn't use as I wanted to get away from all of that for a few days, but admit to being tempted!||||The breakfast consisted of a cold buffet and a cooked-to-order selection. I had eggs florentine and I must say that they were the best I have ever had - superb in every way! ||||Hotel guests get complimentary access to The Glassworks Spa next door and that is well worth a visit. First thing in the morning I used the gym for a bit of a work-out then the steam room, the sauna and jacuzzi - I wish I could start every day like that when at home :)||||During our 2-night stay we also had drinks on the Hotel roof-top terrace - a visit there is a MUST!. We also ate at the Hotel restaurant, "Six" and the restaurant above the spa next door, "The River Bar" and I can recommend them both.

I booked a surprise weekend stay at the varsity hotel for my boyfriends birthday. The receptionist I spoke to was ever so helpful in booking the restaurant at six and the spa treatments for our stay. When we arrived we were advised that we had been given an upgraded room and when we entered the room there was a lovely little birthday treat for my boyfriend with a birthday message waiting for him.||The room was so spacious with a huge comfortable bed and a nice view on the 4th floor. The rooms cleaned to high standard too.||Breakfasts at six were really yummy, probably one of the best breakfasts we’d had at a hotel. We also enjoyed a glass of wine on the rooftop bar in the beautiful sunshine which has stunning views of Cambridge. ||We had a lovely couple of hours in the spa including an 80 min spa treatment as part of the spa package and left feeling very relaxed.||The hotel staff were really friendly and very efficient with check in and out process. They also held our bags for us for a few hours whilst we enjoyed punting and a lost minute shop before going home. ||The hotel itself is situated perfectly within walking distance to shops, about 30 min walk from train station and 5 minute walk for punting.||I would highly recommend this hotel and certainly will hope to stay there again in the future.

I stayed In The Varsity Hotel as was away in Cambridge for a friend’s wedding. The service in the hotel was second to none and cannot be faulted. ||The staff are so accommodating and really do provide a 5* service. From the valet of my car to helping my pregnant wife with her bags. ||They even fitted us in to dinner at very short notice even though they were fully booked in the restaurant. The food was unbelievable.||The hotel itself is spotless and our room was beautiful. I had a perfect night sleep both nights which doesn’t normally occur when I stay away from home.

Great location - but the Six restaurant is quite disappointing especially factoring in the prices. Our party had 2 duck, both were luke warm, side order chips were also cold. Pizzas were OK but no different than Wetherspoons - side order broccoli was very damp, likely cooked from frozen although I can’t be sure. 12.5% service charge is also added - makes for an expensive and underwhelming experience. Would recommend for just drinks on the roof top terrance but you can get better quality, much cheaper food elsewhere.

Sadly, the tablet in the room did not work, which otherwise would have been quite useful. HOWEVER, this slight glitch was more than counterbalanced by the excellent service we got in reception and the Six restaurant at breakfast. We had arrived early, but reception looked after out luggage and until it was time to check in. Their valet parking was quick and efficient. Breakfast was tasty and filling, with attentive and efficient service. The location is stunning, crowned by the views form the rooftop bar (bring a hat and sunglasses if its sunny though!).

What a stunning view of Cambridge from the rooftop bar. My friend who completed the booking thought he'd booked the rooftop bar but accidentally booked a table in Six the restaurant... we were later advised when we arrived that the rooftop bar does not take bookings so don't waste time looking to make one on the website. There's lots of seating/tables although it was fairly busy when we went. Lots of cocktails to choose from. Enjoy!

Great sized room, comfy bed and big bathroom. Staff very helpful, great rooftop bar if the weather is good, only downside was the breakfast, not sure it needed all the greenery on the plate and it was mostly cold. Would definitely return though!

oh dear don't believe the host of five star reviews, I'm convinced they are Ai generated. The lobby and common areas were claustrophic and chaotic from the start, the staff pretty much on automatic, the place is tired, and over hyped, the menu suspiciously long and the cocktails ridiculous, the room cramped, with wobbly ikea level furnishings and very little soundproofing. Felt like they were skipping on the disposables, with super cheap loo paper and plastic water bottles in the rooms. Also could see straight up the skirts of any one sititng on the terrace from the bedroom window, not what you want. .A real shame. we'll be trying the new Wildes round the corner instead I think

The hotel itself has gotten great reviews from friends who have stayed there. It's also a choice for celebrities/actors (shhhhh) - probably because of its discreet location. But I'm actually reviewing the rooftop bar with the fabulous view of Cambridge. My family has had a flat in Cambridge for decades (I visit from the US) and it was my first time there this past week. The drinks were high quality, the service was excellent - and the view, fab. Huge thumbs up for this hip and welcoming hotel!

The Varsity Hotel & Spa has been recently built in a 300 year old building in the heart of Cambridge. Everything from the rooms to the carpets to the floors has been recently renovated within (I would guess) the last 4 years. The rooms vary in price and size. My co-worker was put into a suite that had a claw foot bath tub, a separate shower, and a large king-sized bed. My room was slightly more traditional European room in that it had a small stand-up only shower, no bath tub, and a Queen-sized bed with a nice armoire in which to hang my shirts and pants, and a great chest of drawers for the other clothing items (socks, undies, etc...). The hotel staff is overwhelmingly friendly and helpful, and the breakfast and dinner are actually pretty appealing considering it is hotel food and a hotel restaurant. Overwhelming positives: (a) Get a high room (5th or 6th floor) and enjoy the ridiculously stellar views of Cambridge. I am not kidding. The views are the bomb-diggity. (b) The hotel is connected to a spa and gym. You get a free membership to the gym with your stay in the hotel and you get a discount on the spa treatments. (c) Within walking distance of everything... and I mean everything. This was a really great hotel and spa experience in the UK.

This review is actually for the Varsity Hotel and Spa BAR on the roof. Didn't stay in the hotel. By the looks of the place, I'm not sure I can afford to stay here! It was beautiful. But...I can afford to drink on the roof! So up we went!! We had a couple of glasses of chardonnay or two as we enjoyed a late summer evening and the amazing views of the historic European city of Cambridge. Go check it out!

Rooftop bar, not common around these parts. When the weather is nice, can't be beat. Get a Pimms pitcher for 4, £40. Sirloin steak sammich is £15.50 and is an actual steak, not steak shavings. Limited beer selection, mostly a cocktail bar.

My wife and I went big and stayed in a beautiful corner room on an upper floor with floor-to-ceiling glass exterior walls and a balcony. I can't imagine anything negative to say about the Varsity Hotel. The views are beautiful. The location is central while being just far enough from the busy main streets. Meals at the River Bar were very enjoyable and who doesn't love a roof terrace? The room was fresh, clean, roomy and tasteful and the bed was very comfortable. There are certainly more luxurious hotels in this world, but given the room rate and location, it's worthy of five stars. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Perfectly well located boutique hotel, a stone throw from the river Cam. Very nice modern and trendy design with a hint of tradition. The top floors have a stunning view on the city. Very clean amenities. The staff is friendly, discrete and professional. While booking, I specified I wanted a bathtub in the bed room but on arrival, our room had a shower only. They exchanged it immediately with no question. I also ordered food on room service but it came late and cold. They exchanged it immediately and didn't charge us for it. Little failing can happen, they just handled it very well. Highly recommended.

Happy Hols! I stayed here recently for a friend's wedding. I was floored in the best way by the high-end customer service and very careful, intentional, and thoughtful attention to detail. The staff from the concierge table to the barman at the rooftop bar were divine! When you're treating yourself to stay somewhere special, then having people giving that extra bit of special treatment to you is appreciated! This establishment is in a great location for sight seeing and enjoying all Cambridge has to offer. Time and time again the view from the rooftop bar and lounge is breathtaking. We actually stayed in the penthouse suite for one night (pre-wedding treat!) and it was amazing to have the same view from the bar above. But you don't have to stay in the penthouse to enjoy that view! It's available to to the public who fancy a cocktail or two while floating by River Camb. While you stay in this hotel, you are footsteps from restaurants, bars, clubs, shopping, punting, and more! But you might not want to leave the hotel, because it's that beautiful. The entire atmosphere is luxury and clean, modern, looked after, and full of English charm. I would go back and test out their spa! Enjoy your stay!

My friend took me to the rooftop bar for the sunset on a visit to Cambridge. It was a gorgeous sunny day so we knew the sunset would be good She'd been a few times before for the sunset and has had the same gripes time and time again - but you just can't beat the view You can't book a table so we turned up at 7. We were told it was fully booked until 7.30 so we'd need to come back. On our walk past we could see all the seats were empty so questioned this and he then explained it was because there was a private function that would be finishing soon - coulda just said that! He was a bit odd and rude so we phoned and the lady said that we would be able to go straight up so we went back On arrival it was absolutely freezing and we were dressed for drinks however we were able to choose a seat with a gorgeous view and they brought over blankets. I asked for one for my legs and one for my shoulders but they said no as they only had a few left (it was quite empty). Once I opened up the blanket however it was pretty big and I could wrap myself in it Overall the staff are not very attentive and we had to wait a long time for the drinks to be ordered and then for them to arrive I really liked mine - strawberry daiquiri but boring glasses and my friend didn't enjoy her lychee and passionfruit Collins (prob more personal taste). We weren't asked how our drinks were at all and had to make quite a lot of effort to get the bill. The sunset was beautiful so I guess your paying for this rather than the drink and poor service. I would go back as it is stunning location but they need to work on their service

Have not stayed at the hotel, but had a fantastic spa experience with Stacey. I went for a bikini wax, and she was fast and very good at keeping the pain minimal. I'd send friends here, and I'll definitely be back.

Had a very good experience here. This a unique hotel and they paid a lot of attention to detail in the renovation. Lovely, comfortable room, with a great view! Very helpful and responsive staff. Close to everything in Cambridge.