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The Varsity Hotel & Spa

4.0 star property

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Photo gallery for The Varsity Hotel & Spa

Indoor spa tub
Bar (on property)
Terrace/patio
Terrace/patio
Senior Room, 1 Queen Bed (Fellows) | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Room service
  • Bar
  • Hot Tub

Explore the area

Map
24 Thompsons Lane, Cambridge, England, CB5 8AQ
  • University of Cambridge
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Jesus College
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • St. John's College
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Cambridge (CBG)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Senior Suite (Fellows)

Senior Suite (Fellows) | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Senior Suite (Fellows)

  • 377 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Senior Room, 1 Queen Bed (Fellows)

Senior Room, 1 Queen Bed (Fellows) | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Senior Room, 1 Queen Bed (Fellows)

  • 237 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Senior Twin Room, 2 Twin Beds (Fellows)

Senior Twin Room, 2 Twin Beds (Fellows) | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Senior Twin Room, 2 Twin Beds (Fellows)

  • 237 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Double Room (Graduates)

Double Room (Graduates) | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Double Room (Graduates)

  • 167 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 Double Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed (Fellows)

Room, 1 King Bed (Fellows) | Premium bedding, in-room safe, individually decorated

Room, 1 King Bed (Fellows)

  • 199 sq ft
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

The Varsity Hotel & Spa

4-star hotel in Cambridge City Centre
This smoke-free hotel features 2 restaurants, a full-service spa, and a health club. WiFi in public areas is free. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a sauna, and a rooftop terrace are onsite.
The Varsity Hotel & Spa offers 44 accommodations with tablet computers and DVD players. Each accommodation is individually furnished and decorated. Beds feature premium bedding. 32-inch Smart televisions come with digital channels. Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers, bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries.

This Cambridge hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks, safes, and phones. Additionally, rooms include complimentary bottled water and coffee/tea makers. Housekeeping is offered daily and hypo-allergenic bedding can be requested.

A health club and complimentary bicycles are featured at the hotel. Other recreational amenities include a hot tub, a sauna, and a fitness center.
Glassworks & Elemis Spa has 6 treatment rooms. Services include deep-tissue massages, sports massages, Swedish massages, and facials. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy, Ayurvedic, and reflexology. The spa is equipped with a sauna, a hot tub, and a steam room.

The spa is open daily. Children under 10 years old are not allowed in the spa without adult supervision.

In addition to a full-service spa, The Varsity Hotel & Spa features a health club and a hot tub. Dining is available at one of the hotel's 2 restaurants. A bar/lounge is on site where guests can unwind with a drink. Public areas are equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access.

Event facilities measuring 614 square feet (57 square meters) include conference space. This luxury hotel also offers a sauna, a rooftop terrace, and spa services. Onsite parking is available (surcharge).

The Varsity Hotel & Spa is a smoke-free property.

Buffet breakfasts are available for a surcharge on weekdays between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM and on weekends between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
The River Bar and Grill - This steakhouse serves dinner only. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar.
Roof Terrace - Onsite bar.
SIX Bar & Brasserie - This brasserie serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.
Late night fare is available from 24-hour room service.

Languages

English, French, Hungarian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Valet parking on site (GBP 33 per night)

Food and drink

  • Buffet breakfast available for a fee 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on weekends; GBP 19.50 for adults and GBP 19.50 for children
  • 2 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • Roof Terrace
  • SIX Bar & Brasserie
  • The River Bar and Grill

Things to do

  • Free bicycle rentals
  • Full-service spa
  • Health club
  • Sauna
  • Spa tub
  • Steam room

Family friendly

  • DVD player
  • Free crib
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Guidebooks
  • Hair salon
  • Laundry facilities
  • Luggage storage
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Porter/bellhop
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • 614 square feet of conference space
  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Rooftop terrace

Full-service spa

  • 6 treatment rooms
  • Aromatherapy
  • Ayurvedic treatments
  • Body scrubs
  • Body wraps
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Reflexology
  • Sauna
  • Spa open daily
  • Spa tub
  • Sports massages
  • Steam room
  • Swedish massages

Accessibility

  • Elevator

More

  • 2 buildings
  • 6 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Built in 2010
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Free crib
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Premium bedding

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Designer toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch smart TV with digital channels
  • DVD player
  • Streaming services
  • Tablet computer

Food and drink

  • 24-hour room service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Heating (climate-controlled)
  • Individual decor
  • Individual furnishings
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:30 PM; Check-in end time: anytime
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are available for GBP 50.0 per night
Free cribs are available on request at the property

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for buffet breakfast: approximately GBP 19.50 for adults and GBP 19.50 for children
  • Valet parking fee: GBP 33.00 per night
  • Rollaway bed fee: GBP 50.0 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Safety features at this property include window guards
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Guests who may encounter issues with stairs should contact this property in advance. Elevators are not available.

We should mention

Reservations are required for massage services and spa treatments; reservations can be made by contacting the property prior to arrival, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
Children under 10 years old are not allowed in the spa without adult supervision

Property is also known as

Hotel Varsity
Varsity Cambridge
Varsity Hotel
Varsity Hotel Cambridge
The Varsity Hotel Cambridge
The Varsity Hotel And Spa
The Varsity Hotel & Spa Hotel
The Varsity Hotel & Spa Cambridge
The Varsity Hotel & Spa Hotel Cambridge

The Varsity Hotel & Spa Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 457 out of 824 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 232 out of 824 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 89 out of 824 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 35 out of 824 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 11 out of 824 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.0/10

Staff & service

8.6/10

Amenities

8.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Anish

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

6/10 Okay

Kristy

Traveled with partner
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
On arrival there was nowhere to leave the car to unload bags, the hotel is surrounded by resident parking and double yellow lines, even when paying for valet parking you have to risk leaving it on double yellows to hand over to the staff. The staff on reception on arrival were also very unfriendly, barely made an effort to say hello. We booked this hotel over other choices for the option of the spa, the spa was hugely disappointing. No private cubicles in the changing areas and the spa smelt musty and damp throughout, especially the jacuzzi, . It was not somewhere you want to sit and relax inhaling unpleasant odours and sitting in stale water. Finally we were given a room with a balcony, on first impressions a nice upgrade from the standard room we had booked. However soon became a negative once unpacked that we found the external door to the shared balcony area did not lock, leaving us feeling vulnerable that 2 other rooms could access ours. And on top of this the shared balcony brought with it noise from other guests talking outside until 1am. The bed is positioned next to the patio doors to the shared balcony, so their conversation was practically happening at my bedside. After calling and emailing reception no one made any effort to ask the other room to respect the time of the day and keep the noise down or move the conversation inside. This made our plans of a relaxing night away far from enjoyable. We will not be returning.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

4/10 Poor

Deborah

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Lacking in all areas
Firstly, hotels.com needs to update its description because the ONLY reason I chose this hotel was because of the roof terrace, and when we arrived we found out it was closed. Then the room. What a letdown. It’s over £200 a night (breakfast not included) and is small, filled with tired, cheap furniture, the plumbing gurgles all night, then at dawn you get woken early because the curtain is too small to cover the window. Really takes you back to student accommodation. It’s like a £40 travelodge. And I’m not saying the room had been neglected for months, but if you do avail yourself of the free water bottles (tepid, because of course there’s no fridge), you’ll find the caps are still detached. So at least 4 months old. The hotel claims each room has a tablet so you can read the papers and order room service, etc. Our room didn’t have one. But the Wi-Fi didn’t work either, so maybe that was intentional. Also no phone signal, so if you’re looking for a digital detox, this is the room for you. I also asked for bikes - free bike hire is on the amenity list - but the bikes don’t have lights on them, and when you can only check in at 3.30pm there’s not a lot of daylight left in November. I was told by a staff member that I could ‘risk it’ and ride around without lights, but no thanks hun. That would be illegal and I would definitely get into an accident. The spa is nice, but it’s super small and busy with more than 6 people there so we had to get out of the jacuzzi sharpish.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christina

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Alison

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Fantastic - The Varsity is an experience, not merely a place. Apart from all the comforts of a 5 star hotel, the atmosphere - generated by the artwork and well-crafted design themes of Cambridge academia and Grand Britannia - gives the visitor a sparkle to their stay. Traveling from my foreign field, I will return to this corner that is forever England.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

dawn

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved our stay there.. staff were polite and friendly customer service was brilliant z would highly recommend the varsity to anyone .
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the location!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Kerry

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
The service on the front desk at arrival was awful. They gave me a lesser room than what I’d booked (Queen rather than King bed) and then tried to argue that the Queen size bed was actually a King. The room was hot and tiny so I went out for dinner and when I came back they said ‘congratulations, we are upgrading you’ to the room I’d actually booked… like it was a favour! And they made me move my own luggage. The hotel is near a bus zone that’s 15 metres long and has been set up as a fine sting… you’re forced to drive through it because the Google directions try to lead you through a locked park. £70 fine. In short: it’s not worth staying here.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Brittany

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

James

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keith Alan

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Alex

Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel in a great location but google maps not helpful so use the hotel instructions. 5 mins walk to the colleges and lots of places to eat nearby. Room good but you could hear others talking adjoining room. Nice facilties in room and staff helpful. Did not eat there so can't comment. Staff helpful and valet parking a bonus.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Amazing Stay
Staff amazing, early check in and a complimentary room upgrade
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room was spacious and comfortable, and the staff members were all professional and polite.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tye

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

zhikui

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Charles

Liked: Room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness
Disappointing
I paid more than quoted and could not prove it to the property as I did not receive a confirmation from Hotels.com. I’d paid £313 when quoted below £250. Very disappointing.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

2/10 Terrible

Donal

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
all good - great city centre location
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

4/10 Poor

Bethany

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loud
The hotel in general needed updating and the furniture in the bedroom was very outdated. The bed was very firm and quite uncomfortable but the bedding was good quality. We complained about noise at about 10pm and asked to move as our room was directly above the air conditioning unit which was very loud, but were told there were no alternative rooms available. We were also woken up by lorries in the alley outside our room in the morning. Staff were lovely but were wouldn’t start again
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024