Cambridge’s Best Address: The Varsity Hotel & Spa – Review

In Cambridge, you’d be forgiven for being confused if someone told you they were off to The Varsity. This emphatically collegiate word (allegedly short for ‘university’) in this definitively collegiate town refers to sports competitions, the student newspaper, a restaurant on St Andrews Street (now sadly closed) and, of course, The Varsity Hotel & Spa. This 48-room independent hotel – situated down a sleepy street on one side, and the buzzy quayside on the other – is unquestionably the best conclusion to jump to. Home to the city’s only rooftop bar, an all-day brasserie with panoramic views, a waterside steakhouse and a spa, why wouldn’t you be off to The Varsity?

A popular spot since 2011, following a recent refresh, The Varsity continues to please. Independently owned as the hotel is, staying here feels like you are visiting the home of your chicest friend or family member – if their house swelled in size, of course. Staff are friendly and welcoming, and bedrooms are stylish while retaining a distinct homely comfort. Spread across six floors, the interiors are distinctly modern British, utilising fabrics and wallpapers from brands like Kit Kemp and Colefax and Fowler. 

Paul Winch-Furness

In a nod to the university town The Varsity finds itself in, rooms start at Graduate Doubles and swell to the special Senior Fellows Suite, with its 80 sqm corner footprint, private terrace and spectacular college views. Though they are individually designed, no matter the size, all bedrooms and suites are sanctums to retire to after a day pounding the cobbled pavement, boasting solid oak herringbone flooring and sandstone bathrooms with monsoon showers. Larger rooms have Juliet balconies or free-standing baths (or both), while wide windows (many floor-to-ceiling) welcome the sunlight no matter which room you choose. Views range from the rolling parkland of Midsummer Common to ancient colleges like Jesus and St John’s with their pretty period buildings and bustling student life. Further beyond, point out the parks, spot the spires, or wrangle to label the colleges rising up before you.

Guests also have complimentary membership to The Glassworks next door with its gym and studios equipped for yoga, pilates, aerobics and spin classes. There’s also a spa with a bubbling jacuzzi overlooking the river, and eight treatment rooms with a menu promising sumptuous massages and refreshing facials. We opted for uber-soothing full body massages in the couples’ treatment room, the knots in our tense shoulders gradually easing beneath soothing hands.

Cambridge’s food scene has come on leaps and bounds since I was a student there: there’s a Dishoom Permit Room and a trusty Flat Iron, while stalwarts like Midsummer House, The Cambridge Chop House and Bread & Meat remain. The city also has a thriving pub scene, with highlights including The Eagle (where the discovery of DNA was first announced), The Mill, Granta and countless more.

(Paul Winch-Furness)

But The Varsity is a foodie hub in its own right, boasting the Cambridge’s only rooftop bar with stunning panoramic views across the fen city’s very flat vista. Head here for a tasty cocktail from the extensive list, backdropped by music in the summer.

Just below The Rooftop Garden is SIX, an all-day brasserie that continues the views with its floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor terrace. Enjoy it first thing for breakfast, at the weekend for brunch, or book in for lunch or dinner to make the most of the tasty menu, which is truly global, spanning pizzas, grills, dishes from the woodstone oven and a Sunday roast to boot.

If waterside views are more your speed, head to The River Bar Steakhouse on the opposite side of The Varsity, by the buzzy quayside. And it’s not all steak (despite the name): locally sourced ingredients, plenty of plant-based dishes and a tasty dessert menu make this an ideal space for all. We recommend the salmon steak blackened with molasses and spices – delicious. All enjoyed with a tasty cocktail, of course.

Being so close to Midsummer Common, you are well located to venture off the beaten tourist track when staying at The Varsity. Go east along the river to find rolling parkland, a plethora of boat houses, and if you time it right, plenty of student rowers splashing (and probably crashing) around.

Six Brasserie (Paul Winch-Furness)

Hitching a punt ride is a given in Cambridge and, though it seems like a tourist trap, the punt tours are well worth the down payment if you’d like to see the city’s oldest sights and learn more about Cambridge, its colleges, and its lengthy history. Staying at The Varsity, punt tours are right on the doorstep, leaving from the quayside. Punts are also available for private hire so you can explore the city at your own pace.

If you can’t find your sea legs, stay on dry land and explore the city. Stroll down the idyllic, always-bustling King’s Parade, grab a tasty ice-cream from local parlour Jack’s Gelato, and pay a visit to the Fitzwilliam Museum for a dose of beautiful art. You could also stroll along The Backs, a stretch of the city showcasing the rear of some of the oldest colleges. If you’d like to step inside the hallowed halls, most colleges are open to visitors, though some for a fee. Avoid the big boys like King’s, Queens’, Trinity and St John’s to avoid price tags and crowds, especially in the summer. Many central colleges, including Emmanuel, Downing, Gonville & Caius, Jesus and Magdalene are just as old, pretty and free to enter – just make sure you check their opening times before you arrive.

C&TH Key Notes

• Room To Request: When you plump for a Senior Fellows Superking Room, you are rewarded with ample space, including a huge beds and a generous bathroom with underfloor heating.
• Drink To Order: If you can dream of a cocktail, these bartenders can rustle it up – or why not try something you’ve never heard of?
• When To Go: Summer is the busiest time, while September to October is the best time to soak up the excitement of a new university year. Avoid exam season (May–June), when colleges typically shut their doors to the public.
• Must Do: If you haven’t stepped onto a punt, you haven’t visited Cambridge.

BOOK IT

Rooms start from £189, including breakfast. To book a stay, call 01223 306030 or e-mail [email protected]. thevarsityhotel.co.uk