The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge - Review

The University Arms Hotel has been high on my bookish to-visit list for a very long time, and for good reason! This literary hotel has a long history, having been in service in a variety of forms since the 1800s. Now owned by Marriott Bonvoy aspart of their Autograph Collection, the property boasts stunning Edwardian interiors and offers a truly luxurious experience in the heart of Cambridge.

I stayed at the hotel for two nights in one of their stunning terrace suites, and also had the chance to dine in their onsite restaurant the Parkers Tavern. The hotel underwent a thorough renovation in 2016, and its clear that Marriott invested a significant amount of time and money in the refit. I particularly loved the little details, and loved the signs that were shaped like books.

The suites are each individually designed to tell their own stories, themed around a different Cambridge scholar. Walking into my own suite, Marlowe, I was instantly impressed. The bedroom was spacious and flooded with natural light, with views out over the green of Parkers Place. There’s a small seating area with a cosy armchair and chaise lounge, as well as a comfortable king bed. The chaise lounge had to be one of my favourite features of the room, and I spent a lot of time lounging in this spot, engrossed in my current read.  One of the advantages of booking a suite is that they come with their own specially mini library specially curated by British bookshop Heywood Hill of Mayfair. Both my bedside table and the drinks trolly were filled with a collection of books ranging from The Wind in the Willows to Christopher Marlowe’s Mermaid Series. While Despite bringing my own books with me and having a small selection in the room, I also made sure to bring up some extra reading material from the library downstairs, just in case.

At the far end of the room I found a large en suite bathroom complete with underfloor heating, a waterfall shower, and a large freestanding bathtub. The bath had its own reading stand, of course, and makes an indulgent space to relax with a book. Personally I’m a big fan of reading in the bath and this tub was an absolute dream, so I definitely made the most of it during my stay. I didn’t initially realise that we had been treated to a coveted terrace suite, so I was delighted to find that we had access to not one but two private terraces with views over the green and the Parkers Place ferris wheel. As we stayed in the early spring the weather was still quite blustery, but the ocassional blue sky meant that we definitely made the most of having a little outdoor space. I imagine that this is wonderful in the late spring and summer.

While the hotel as a whole is wonderfully styled, again, it’s the small touches that really make it unique from other properties. Each room comes equipped with a kettle in the shape of a teapot, along with specially commissioned crockery, which is also available for sale on their website. The rooms are serviced twice a day, elevated by the evening turn down service which is offered by very few other hotels. It also has all of the expected touches of a high class hotel, with a coffee and tea station, air conditioning, robe and slippers.

Predictably, the University Arms’ beautiful library was one of the things that initially drew me to the hotel. This atmospheric space is the perfect spot for breakfast, afternoon tea, or a strong coffee while tapping away at a laptop. Not limited to residents of the hotel, anyone can enjoy the library, and I spotted several people making use of it as a workspace during my stay. In the evening it functions as an extension of the hotel’s bar, and we settled down by the window after dinner with a bottle of red wine.

The shelves themselves are well stocked, offering a curated selection of tomes to suite a variety of tastes, and not limiting themselves to classic texts. I spotted Doctors at War by Mark De Rond, Life in the Garden by Penelope Lively and Look What You Made Me Do by Helen Walmsley-Johnson, so there was plenty for me to read had I not brought my own selection with me from home. The hotel’s wonderful Book Butler explained to me that authors often leave books after speaking at events hosted by the hotel, which I thought was lovely. To prevent these precious tomes from being led astray, each book has a special sticker on the title page which explains that it belongs to the University Arms library.

During my stay the hotel very kindly hosted us for dinner in their English brasserie style restaurant the Parker’s Tavern. We had three courses each and thoroughly enjoyed our meals. I opted for the 48 hour sourdough with smoked butter and sea salt to start, a delicious roasted crown prince pumpkin & put lentils with chilli and pumpkin seed pesto for main, finished off with the chocolate fondant with hazelnut praline and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Washed down with a few glasses of red wine, I was left feeling considerably stuffed but very happy! In contrast to my vegetarian meal, my partner ordered the caramelised cauliflower soup with toasted sourdough and pork crackling to start, followed by chargrilled East Anglian sirloin stake. He finished his meal with the strawberry meringue which was served up with lemon sponge. 

Breakfast is served in the same space as dinner, but with the option to have it brought through to the library if you would prefer. Each morning would offer a full continental breakfast spread with fresh pastries and additional options such as eggs and bacon cooked upon request. There was plenty to choose from and made a great way to fuel up for a day of exploring the city.

Pricing

While the University Arms Hotel definitely has the price of a luxury hotel, there are hotels to suite different budgets. The smallest ‘Cosy’ rooms start from £209 a night, the ‘Classic’ rooms from £229 and the ‘Superior’ rooms from £249. The suites are perfect for a special occasion, with prices starting at £459 a night.

Facilities

The hotel offers a luxurious spa providing a variety of treatments, and a stunning ballroom used to host weddings and other events. Residents also have access to bicycles free of charge, as well as a gym and meeting room. Room service is also available 24 hours a day. On site parking is also available for an additional fee.

How to get here

You’ll find the hotel in the heart of the city, making it easy to access by public transport. If arriving by train, you can either take a two minute taxi ride to the hotel, or catch one of the regular bus services. The distance is also walkable at only 15 minutes, so if you’re travelling light this might be preferable.

Thank you again to the University Arms Hotel for making my dream come true and hosting me in one of their beautiful terrace suites! Whether you’re a book lover or not, this hotel is not to be missed during a stay in beautiful Cambridge.

To book your own stay, take a look at their website here.

More Blog posts like this

B2 Boutique Literary Hotel and Spa, Zurich - Review

Review of The Academy Hotel, London

Sheraton Hotel, London - Review (to come)