The Varsity Hotel & Spa, Cambridge (Cambridgeshire) - Reviews, Room Options & Prices 2025

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Key details

About the Hotel

Thompson'S Lane, Cambridge (Cambridgeshire), United Kingdom, CB5 8AQ

The Varsity Hotel & Spa is the only city centre hotel offering a full-size gym and spa facilities, including Elemis treatments. Nestled in a restored bonded warehouse, it features a unique Roof Terrace with panoramic views of the Cambridge skyline. Its prime location allows easy access to prominent colleges, and the historic city centre along the River Cam.

Location

Located just steps from key educational institutions like St John's and Trinity Colleges, the hotel is ideal for exploring Cambridge. Visitors can enjoy punting on the River Cam, and the hotel offers valet parking and complimentary bicycles for local travel. The nearest train station and airport provide convenient access for travelers.

Rooms

The hotel comprises 48 uniquely designed rooms and suites, many with stunning views through large plate glass windows. Some rooms include luxurious touches like four-poster beds and free-standing baths, all equipped with Elemis toiletries. Standard amenities include fast Wi-Fi, smart TVs, and complimentary bicycles for guests.

Eat & Drink

The SIX Panoramic Brasserie and River Bar Steakhouse offer a range of dining experiences, from casual lunches to elegant dinners. The menu features local ingredients and both classic and contemporary dishes. Afternoon tea is served with picturesque views, and the bar offers an extensive cocktail menu, including over 30 gins.

Leisure & Business

Guests can access a state-of-the-art gym, sauna, steam room, and a spa with services for relaxation and rejuvenation. Meeting rooms are equipped with modern audiovisual technology, capable of hosting up to 60 participants. The Roof Terrace provides a unique venue for events, along with options for private dining.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

Double Room

Max:

2 persons

16 m²

Bed options:

1 Double bed

room details

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King Room

Max:

2 persons

19 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

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Superior King Room

Max:

2 persons

22 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

A guide to all available transportation options

City Centre

Cambridge (Cambridgeshire) 1.9 km

Airports

Cambridge (CBG) 4.5 km

London Stansted (STN) 50.0 km

Train

Cambridge Train Station 2.3 km

Bus

Bus stop200 m

Facilities

Experience a variety of amenities at the boutique hotel, crafted to ensure your comfort and unforgettable moments

Wi-Fi

Parking

GBP 33 per day

Luggage storage

24-hour services

24-hour reception

24-hour security

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
Luggage storage
Lift
Barber shop
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Cycling
Tennis
Sports trainer

Services

Valet parking
Pet amenities available
Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning

Dining

In-room breakfast
Restaurant
Bar/ Lounge area
Special diet menus

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Cots
Children's menu

Spa & Leisure

Sun terrace
Spa & wellness centre
Sauna
Steam room
Jacuzzi
Massage

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Terrace
Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

Flat-screen TV
CD player

Location

Thompson'S Lane, Cambridge (Cambridgeshire), United Kingdom, CB5 8AQ

Map view

street view

Thompson'S Lane, Cambridge (Cambridgeshire), United Kingdom, CB5 8AQ

City landmarks

Museum

Fitzwilliam Museum

1.2 km

University

Trinity College

1.2 km

Church

King's College Chapel

770 m

Market

Cambridge Market Square

640 m

Bridge

Mathematical Bridge

1.1 km

Botanical Garden

Cambridge University Botanic Garden

2.1 km

Cambridge CB3 0RG

Castle Mound

630 m

University

University of Cambridge

630 m

Museum

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

1.2 km

Park

Midsummer Common

1.0 km

King's Parade

King's College

660 m

CambridgeEngland

The River Cam

1.0 km

Park

Parker's Piece

1.3 km

University

Pembroke College

1.0 km

Museum

Whipple Museum of the History of Science

1.2 km

University

Corpus Christi College

930 m

University

St Catharine's College

880 m

University

Emmanuel College

890 m

University

Queen's College

1.1 km

Church

Great St Mary's Church

610 m

Museum

University Museum Of Zoology

890 m

Park

The Backs

1.3 km

Nearby

Park

Jesus Green

410 m

St John's St

St John's College

160 m

Museum

Museum of Cambridge

560 m

University

Magdalene College

240 m

University

Trinity Hall Cambridge

220 m

University

Gonville and Caius College

530 m

University

Sidney Sussex College

540 m

Gallery

Kettle's Yard

560 m

Restaurants

River Bar Steakhouse & Grill

60 m

3 Thompsons Lane Quayside

Las Iguanas

120 m

Quayside

The Roof Terrace

40 m

24 Thompsons Lane The Varsity Hotel & Spa

Thaikhun Cambridge

80 m

3-5 Quayside

The Punt Yard

70 m

6-8 Quayside

Cote Brasserie

120 m

21-24 Bridge Street

Wildwood Restaurant

80 m

27-28 Bridge Street

Cafe Rouge Cambridge

160 m

24-26 Bridge Street

Prezzo - Cambridge

130 m

32 Bridge Street

Cambridge Wine Merchants

150 m

32 Bridge Street

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

86%

enjoyed the hotel and would happily stay again

8.6/10

Great

Rooms

8.4

Location

8.6

Service

9.4

Dining

8.0

Samantha

United Kingdom, March 2025

7.0/10

My stay at The Varsity Hotel & Spa was truly enjoyable, with excellent service and a central location making it a great choice for exploring Cambridge. The dining experience on the rooftop terrace was also a highlight, though I did encounter a few minor issues, such as a noisy atmosphere from staff outside my room and some waiting for the lift. Overall, I would highly recommend this hotel for its comfort and convenience! 🌟

Rooms

8.0

I stayed in room 316, which was spacious and well-appointed with high-quality amenities. The bed was incredibly comfortable, ensuring a good night's sleep. However, the proximity to housekeeping quarters meant I occasionally heard noise that disrupted my relaxation.

Service

9.0

The service from the staff was really good; they were friendly and attentive, going out of their way to make my stay pleasant. However, there were moments when staff appeared busy due to a private event, which affected their availability late at night.

Location

10.0

The hotel boasts a fantastic location by the river, with easy access to restaurants and the city center. I loved the convenience of exploring nearby attractions, yet the atmosphere could get a bit lively at times.

Dining

9.0

Dining at the rooftop restaurant was a lovely experience with delicious food, particularly the ribeye steak. The views were stunning, which made the meal good, although service could be slightly slow during peak times.

Facilities

8.0

The hotel offers great amenities, including a spa and valet parking, which made my stay smoother. However, the single lift meant I had to wait at times, so I opted for the stairs when possible.

Sam

United Kingdom, March 2025

6.2/10

My stay at The Varsity Hotel & Spa was nice, thanks to the warm and friendly staff who truly went above and beyond. The room was spacious and comfortable, equipped with lovely Elemis toiletries, which made me feel pampered. However, a few aspects like the lack of some amenities and the price felt slightly disappointing, especially given my expectations based on other reviews.

Rooms

8.0

My room was on the 5th floor, providing a stunning view over Cambridge. It was spacious and well-decorated but had some drawbacks like short curtains that let in morning light and a dressing table setup that was not practical.

Service

10.0

The staff were consistently friendly and attentive, making check-in a breeze and always ready to help with suggestions. They surprised me with rose petals and champagne in the room, which felt very special.

Location

7.0

Located right in the heart of Cambridge, I found it convenient for exploring nearby attractions. However, accessing the site by car was a bit confusing due to limited signage.

Dining

8.0

The continental breakfast served on the 6th floor was quite filling and offered a nice start to the day with amazing views. It's worth noting that hot items cost extra, which felt surprising given the room price.

Facilities

8.0

The spa treatments I experienced were absolutely good, likely the highlight of my stay. However, I did find the spa area itself a bit cramped and lacking some relaxation spaces.

Aiden

United Kingdom, December 2024

7.2/10

I had a pleasant stay overall, enjoying the beautiful rooftop views and my stylish room. However, the noise from the garbage trucks in the morning and inadequate curtain fittings interfered with my sleeping experience. The location was great for exploring the city, but there are certainly areas the hotel could improve upon. 🌇🛏️

Rooms

8.0

My room was nicely styled with floor-to-ceiling windows, but I was disappointed by the insufficient light-blocking from the curtains. The space, though comfortable, wasn't very large, which could be an issue with heavy luggage.

Service

8.0

The staff were all incredibly friendly and attentive, providing efficient service throughout my stay. However, I did encounter some issues with the tablet not being in my room, which I had expected to enhance my experience.

Location

9.0

The hotel's location is perfect for walking around Cambridge, just a short stroll from the river and various attractions. I appreciated the central spot, making it easy to explore the city.

Dining

7.0

Breakfast on the rooftop was a highlight, with stunning views. However, the dining experience at the restaurant was just okay and I felt the cocktails on the rooftop bar were overpriced.

Facilities

9.0

I enjoyed the spa and gym facilities, which added to the comfort of my stay. The valet parking was a convenient touch, making my experience even smoother.

Emily

United Kingdom, October 2024

6.0/10

Overall, my stay at The Varsity Hotel was fantastic. The location is unbeatable, just a short walk from the city center, and I loved the rooftop views over Cambridge. The spa facilities were a highlight, offering relaxation after a long day of exploring. However, I did find that some amenities in the room, like milks and sugars for my coffee, could have been better stocked. Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this place to anyone visiting Cambridge.

Rooms

9.0

My room was super clean and had a great view, but there could’ve been a bit more luxury for the price.

Service

10.0

The staff were really friendly and attentive, making me feel welcomed right away. Special shoutout to Kevin for his help!

Location

10.0

Being centrally located made it easy for me to explore Cambridge while still enjoying a quiet atmosphere at the hotel.

Dining

8.0

I enjoyed breakfast in the rooftop restaurant with delicious options, but I did notice they were running low on items. Still, the food was tasty overall.

Facilities

7.0

The spa was excellent, a perfect place to unwind after a busy day. However, I faced some issues with wifi in my room, which was frustrating.

Ella

United Kingdom, October 2024

7.4/10

I had a lovely stay at The Varsity Hotel & Spa, enjoying the stunning rooftop views and the luxurious amenities in my room. The staff were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to make me feel welcome. However, I did find the location somewhat tricky to access by car and the parking quite pricey, which took away from the overall experience.

Rooms

9.0

My room was spacious, clean, and well-decorated, featuring high-quality amenities and a lovely bathtub. The only downside was that the windows didn't open, making it feel a bit dark.

Service

10.0

The service throughout my stay was really good. The staff were attentive and proactive, really enhancing the experience.

Location

7.0

The location is perfect for exploring Cambridge, being right in the center. However, getting there by car was awkward due to the confusing signs and limited access.

Dining

8.0

I enjoyed a great breakfast with a good variety, and the dining options at the hotel were delicious. But I found some menu items to be overpriced for what they offered.

Facilities

8.0

The spa facilities were wonderful, and the gym was nice too. I appreciated the easy check-in process and the convenient valet parking, although it came at a high price.