University Arms is a huge and impressive pile of a hotel on Cambridge’s Parker’s Piece with a fine dining restaurant and fabulous bar. The hotel reopened in 2018 after a eye-wateringly expensive renovation by superstar architect John Simpson and interior designer Martin Brudnizki of Annabel’s fame, who came together to create a magical hotel that manages to mix luxury and elegance with good old English eccentricity.

Both literary lovers and football fans (the rules of footie were made up on Parker’s Piece just outside) will be in heaven here with all the quirky nods to the town’s famous uni, plus a cosy wood-panelled library and the fun interior sporting touches.

Parker’s Tavern restaurant, designed to look like a college dining hall, is headed up by local chef Lee Clarke (of Prévost fame), who recently joined the team and will bring his own relaxed fine dining flair to the menu. Cambridge colleges clearly aren’t anything like our old school or uni dining halls – Parker’s is a wonderful place for a romantic meal and has sophisticated interiors with lovely views out over the park.

The jewel-toned bar that leads through to a sumptuous library is a must-visit for a long lazy afternoon of reading and drinking. Try and sound intellectual while propping up the velvet-upholstered bar as you drink The Secret of Life cocktail, named after the discovery of the double helix by Watson and Crick in the nearby Eagle Pub. On Friday nights there are live jazz sets that make for a heavenly ambience.

You won’t be disappointed by any of the 189 rooms at the University Arms, but if you’re feeling fancy The Terrace Suite has the most wow-factor, with a roll top bath that has a bird’s eye a view over Parker’s Piece as well as its own cool rooftop terrace.

And the cherry on top of the cake? In 2022 the hotel unveiled Aromatherapy Associates treatment rooms for both guests and non-residents. We suggest booking yourself in after a day spent pounding the pavements when you’re sightseeing in the city.