THE LOWDOWN

If you’re planning a visit to a city as iconic, historic and postcard pretty as Cambridge then you want to stay somewhere that gives you a sense of your lovely location in every corner, and the University Arms does just that. It’s the grand dame of the Cambridge hospitality scene, the oldest hotel in the area and the place to book if you want to get under the skin of this world famous university city from the moment you arrive.

Visitors to Cambridge have been crossing the hotel’s threshold since 1834, and while the building has a wonderfully rich and storied past there’s nothing out-dated about the look or service these days thanks to an £80m refurb in 2018 by big names in the biz – architect John Simpson and interior designer Martin Brudnizki.

The most obvious change for Cantabrigians is the façade along the front of Regent Street. Once an ugly 1960s modernist extension and now a wow-factor honey-stone porte-cochère that harks back to the hotel’s original purpose as a coaching inn and that allows you to glide up in your car or taxi and jump straight out into the huge lobby.

The new owners have done a brilliant job of showcasing the hotel’s history in delightful details without it feeling like you’re staying in a museum. From the university crest stained glass windows, suites named after Cambridge-affiliated authors and alumni (Darwin and Newton for example), a colour palette of Cambridge University greens, reds, yellows and blues to a library stuffed full of books and a recording of Alan Bennett reading Wind in the Willows in the toilets – it’s quirky Cambridge at its very best.

THE VIBE

There’s a real sense of occasion arriving at this hotel and you’ll feel like a VIP walking through the huge green doors of the University Arms. It’s not OTT though. Even though the ceilings are high, the chandeliers monstrous (one is made from stirrups by Ralph Lauren as a nod to nearby Newmarket Racecourses!) and the decor super luxurious, it somehow manages to feel homely and welcoming too.

You’ll spend your stay craning your neck around at all the interior details – a cosy and sumptuous mix of dark woods, soft leather, warm lighting and jewel-toned velvets. A stay here is all about relaxing into a squishy chair with a book, feasting on top British fare in the restaurant and enjoying five-star service – it’s a pretty addictive vibe that you won’t want to leave.

Christmas display out the university arms cambridge

We stayed in December and the hotel is particularly magical over the festive period with a standout Christmas tree in the lobby, wreaths on most windows, an instagram-worthy display on the porte-cochère and roaring fire in the Library. Don’t let that put you off a summer stay though, because with huge windows, terraces in some rooms and Parker’s Piece (a large area of open grass where the original rules of football were established in 1848) just outside the door, the warmer months are really special here too.

PILLOW TALK

tower suite at the University Arms Hotel in Cambridge

The hotel is vast and has an impressive 189 rooms to choose from starting with cosy rooms and going up to the 12 wow-factor suites. We stayed in Franklin, one of the suites on the top floor overlooking Parker’s Piece, with a bathroom in one of the famous blue towers and a lovely terrace with far-reaching views of the city. As well as a huge bed, there was a seating area with complimentary bottle of local Saffron Grange bubbly, a desk area (in case you’re feeling inspired by all the clever Cambridge references and bookish touches) and a stack of books in the bedside table curated by British bookshop, Heywood Hill of Mayfair.

pretty details in bedroom at the university arms Cambridge

Like the communal areas of the hotel, all the rooms are decorated in a mix of Edwardian elegance and modern style and you can tell from the warm hues, thick curtains, solid wood furniture and smart metallic switches and sockets that no expense has been spared. Everything has been well thought out from the coat hooks by the door (a detail so often overlooked!) to the well-lit bathroom mirrors for applying make-up and the plugs in all the right places. Tucked neatly into our wardrobe was a tea and coffee making set and cute minibar as well as two cloud-soft robes.

The tower bathroom was a thing of beauty. Almost as big as the bedroom, it had a roll-top bath of dreams right by one of the five windows, a stylish monochrome floor, huge gold power shower and a large Victorian sink area with apothecary-style toiletries from British perfumer D R Harris.

The terrace finished the suite off to perfection with a little table for two that allowed us to watch the bikes of Cambridge bustle by while sat in our ivory (or make that blue) tower feeling completely at peace and away from it all. If you’re staying on this side of the hotel keep the curtains open a fraction because waking up to the sunrise over the city is a moment you’ll treasure.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Parker’s Tavern is the modern British restaurant inside the hotel that is headed up by local chef Lee Clarke (of Prevost fame). It’s one of Cambridge’s top places to eat and locals love it for special occasions and fancy dates. There’s a beautiful and buzzy bar that leads into a charming wood-panelled brasserie with huge arched windows featuring college crests and walls covered in a myriad of eye-catching art. It has the feel of an historic coaching inn crossed with an Art Deco fine dining restaurant and never fails to impress.

The restaurant’s ethos is all about celebrating everything that’s best about British food, from the unpretentious classic dishes featuring East Anglian produce on the menu to good old English eccentricity in the form of fun themed afternoons teas and desserts to make you smile. If the cute Christmas treats we were left in our room are anything to go by, the festive afternoon tea here would be very special indeed.

We started our meal with G&Ts, made using the local Cambridge gin, followed by a glass of bubbly – it feels like the sort of place one should pop the corks every night of the week. Service was slick and smily without being over fussy or pretentious.

As it was December and the Christmas tree in the lobby had really set off the festive mood for us, we both decided to go easy on the starter with a sourdough loaf (melt in the mouth and fresh from the oven) so we could have the Christmas dinner. There are Christmas dinners and then there are Christmas dinners and this one was top notch and made me rethink my Christmas Day plans (you can really treat yourself and stay over at the hotel as part of a special Christmas package if you fancy).

Two clean plates later and we decided our waistbands would thank us if we shared a pudding. We were tempted by the Matilda’s Chocolate Cake (a fun nod to the Bruce Bogtrotter moment in the book) but seeking something a little lighter opted for the intriguing sounding Acorn coffee profiterole. It was a triumph of taste and texture and finished off the dinner beautifully.

Breakfast the next morning was a relaxed affair and completely self-service, even including the hot drinks! There was a whole buffet dedicated to fruit, veg and healthy bits while the entire length of the bar area was covered with pastries, breads and cereals. There was also a hot food area with all the elements to make a very generous Full English.

We were particularly impressed by the gluten free table and the vegan offerings that were plentiful. With no staff rushing around to take orders it felt very languid and chilled and the sort of breakfast you’d want to take your paper to or a good book and just keep picking away at for hours.

KID FRIENDLY?

It might have the feel of a luxury private member’s club throughout, but looks can be deceiving as the University Arms is very family friendly with interconnecting rooms, a creative children’s menu and early dinner sittings for little visitors. There are often special family offers too with the first child under 12 staying free and 50% off a second room if you need more space.

DOG FRIENDLY?

Yes! Well-behaved pups are welcome in the hotel’s dedicated dog-friendly rooms and reception area for £35pn.

ACCESSIBLE?

Yes. Eleven of the bedrooms are fully wheelchair accessible, the restaurant is on the ground floor with plenty of space to accommodate a wheelchair and there’s a lift between all the floors.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Chances are you’ll be dead on your feet after a tourist trip around the many sights of Cambridge and won’t need any more exercise, but if you do, there’s a fully kitted out gym on the lower ground floor. There’s also a small car park on this level that can be booked on request.

Cambridge is not a place for cars though but for bikes, so to see the city in local style hop on one of the University Arms branded signature blue bikes that can be hired or there’s a free walking tour every Saturday morning.

OUT & ABOUT

christmas in cambridge outside the university arms

Cambridge’s colleges and many (free to enter) museums are all within walking distance, as is the river where you can hail a punt to see the sights in the traditional Cambridge way. The nearest shops include a large John Lewis, the Grand Arcade shopping centre (with a brand new Everyman Cinema) and Farrow & Ball directly opposite if you’re inspired by the University Arms’ colour schemes! You’re also a short distance from the Botanic Gardens and the Mill Road area of Cambridge, where you’ll find lots of lovely independent eateries. Parker’s Piece is often a hive of activity and while we stayed, the brand new Cambridge in Christmas event was in full swing with an ice rink, Christmas market and big wheel. As locations go, it doesn’t get much better.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

view from terrace suite at university arms

Good for: Anyone who loves British eccentricity, wants to feel truly connected to Cambridge’s university history and loves five-star service, fabulous food and the finer things in life. Stepping through the doors is like going back in time but with all the mod cons your heart could desire. The location is pretty perfect for anything you want to do in Cambridge too with shopping, heritage and green spaces right on the doorstep.

Not for: Spa seekers. The hotel recently closed the small metro-style spa on the ground floor. However there is a Clarins spa just down the road at John Lewis for anyone with sore feet after sightseeing in the city.

The damage: Cosy rooms from £204pn on a B&B basis

University Arms Hotel, Regent St, Cambridge CB2 1AD

Review: University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

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