Welcome to The Varsity Hotel & Spa – Cambridge (Cambridgeshire)

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From192US$ /night
Check-in
10Sept2025Select date
Check-out
11Sept2025Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

24 Thompsons Lane, Cambridge (Cambridgeshire), United Kingdom, CB5 8AQ

The Varsity Hotel & Spa is the only 4-star city centre hotel in Cambridge featuring a full-size gym, spa facilities, and a spectacular Roof Terrace overlooking the Cambridge skyline and river. This boutique hotel offers 48 uniquely designed rooms with high standard decor and quirkiness befitting its location just paces from Jesus Green park.

Light-Filled Luxury Rooms

Rooms and suites on the upper storeys at The Varsity Hotel & Spa are flooded with light through plate glass windows, some opening onto wooden decked balconies with trademark views. Unfussy bathrooms feature Monsoon showers or free-standing baths complemented by aromatic Elemis toiletries.

Exceptional Dining Options

SIX Panoramic Brasserie and The River Bar Steakhouse & Grill offer a skilful blend of atmosphere, beautiful food, fine wine and attentive service. The Drinks Menu features Classic and Contemporary Cocktails, over 30 Gins paired with 8 different premium Tonics, and a selection of Wines.

Riverside Wellness Facilities

The restored bonded warehouse with a Whirlpool hot tub overlooking the river is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate. Hotel guests have access to the gym, daily fitness classes, Elemis Spa treatments, SPA Pool, Sauna and Steam Room where personal trainers will help find the fitness program best suited to individual needs.

Prime Central Location

The unassuming entrance to The Varsity Hotel & Spa is just paces from glorious Jesus Green park and the fizzing Quayside punt station lined with bars and restaurants. The hotel is the closest to St John's, Trinity, Jesus and Magdalene College, with King's College Chapel a mere 0.5 km away.

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Choose from doubles, suites, or family rooms, many with breakfast, flexible cancellation, and promotional rates
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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Double Room
Max:
2 persons
16 m² 
Bed options:
1 Double bed
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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

Boutique hotels design their amenities with your relaxation and unique travel experiences in mind

General

  • No smoking on site
  • Free 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

  • Wi-Fi in rooms
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Terrace
  • Tea and coffee facilities

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
  • CD player
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Location

24 Thompsons Lane, Cambridge (Cambridgeshire), United Kingdom, CB5 8AQ
Map view
24 Thompsons Lane, Cambridge (Cambridgeshire), United Kingdom, CB5 8AQ
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

Real comments from travelers who have already stayed
66%
said they enjoyed their stay and plan to return.
6.6/10
Nice
Rooms
7.8
Location
8.5
Service
8.7
Dining
7.5
Guest reviews
6.6/10
based on 6 reviews
8.3
8.3/10 based on 839 reviews
Richard
United States, January  2024
8.2/10

The hotel was perfect for our one-night stay, although the view wasn't the best, it didn't bother us as we were out exploring during the day. The room was very small by any standard for £315 a night, but it was a lovely surprise.

Rooms
7.0
The room was small, but it was a lovely surprise. The view wasn't the best, but it didn't affect our overall experience.
Service
9.0
The staff were incredibly helpful, polite, and genuine in their desire to serve. They were attentive and quick to assist with any requests.
Location
8.0
The hotel is ideally placed for exploring Cambridge. It was a perfect base for us and we would definitely come back if we return to the area.
Dining
8.0
After spending north of £500 for one night's stay with dinner and Breakfast, the dining experience was lovely. The view from the restaurant was great, and the service was spotless.
Facilities
9.0
The facilities were well-equipped and comfortable, providing everything we needed for a pleasant stay.
Mary
United Kingdom, December  2023
8.2/10

Although the street noise was disruptive early in the morning, the room itself was spacious and clean, offering necessary amenities. The service was exceptional, with friendly and helpful staff. The hotel's location in Cambridge was ideal for exploring the city's attractions, aided by a friendly team. The dining experience was satisfactory, though more meal options would enhance it. The facilities were well-maintained and convenient.

Rooms
7.0
The room was spacious and clean, but noise from the street in the morning was bothersome. I wished there was a bath due to the empty space.
Service
9.0
The staff, from reception to valet parking, were particularly pleasant and helpful. They made my stay enjoyable and stress-free.
Location
9.0
The hotel's location in Cambridge is perfect for exploring the city, offering wonderful views and easy access to various attractions.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was pleasant, but more meal choices would have been appreciated to enhance the overall experience.
Facilities
8.0
The facilities were convenient and well-maintained, adding to the overall comfort of the stay.
Mary
United States, September  2023
8.0/10

My stay at the hotel was delightful. The rooms were incredibly intimate and cosy with beautiful decor, featuring a huge, comfortable bed with lovely cotton linen. The full tea and coffee making facilities were a nice touch. However, the views from the rooms didn't match the expectations set by the website. Overall, the rooms were spacious, well-equipped, and offered a good glimpse of the rooftops and surrounding area.

Rooms
8.0
The rooms certainly had the wow factor, especially with the large, extremely comfy bed and roll top bath.
Service
9.0
The service was top-notch. The staff catered well to my gluten and dairy intolerance, were attentive, and even loaded our car promptly.
Location
7.0
The location of the hotel was perfect for sightseeing in the city center. However, the noise from the glass recycling bin below some guest windows on Saturday night was a bit disruptive.
Dining
7.0
Dining options were good, and I especially enjoyed the Smashed Avocado on toast with Poached Eggs and the full English breakfast. Just a few minor observations for potential improvement.
Facilities
9.0
The hotel facilities were excellent, offering various services such as room service, dry cleaning, and valet parking.
Margaret
United Kingdom, July  2023
9.0/10

The hotel provided a large and comfortable room with a stunning view, including a complimentary bottle of Prosecco for our anniversary. The decor throughout the hotel was impressive. The location was central, offering easy access to various attractions, along with a peaceful ambiance away from the city's hustle and bustle. The dining experience offered a delicious variety of continental options, although some improvements could be made in the variety of choices. Overall, a great stay with a few minor drawbacks.

Rooms
9.0
The room was large, comfortable, and had a stunning view.
Service
9.0
The staff were brilliant, attentive to our requests and extremely helpful throughout our stay.
Location
10.0
The hotel's location was very centrally situated, making it convenient to explore the city's attractions and near the river for punting.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was delicious, offering a great choice of continental options.
Facilities
9.0
The hotel's facilities were top-notch, adding to the overall comfort of our stay.
Michael
United States, July  2023
8.2/10

I had an incredible stay at this hotel. The rooms lacked nothing and the unique bath in the middle added a special touch. The views over Cambridge were simply breathtaking. The room had the wow factor, being extremely intimate and cozy with beautiful decor, a huge bed with lovely cotton linen, and an extremely comfortable mattress and pillows. However, the experience was slightly dampened by noisy air-conditioning units.

Rooms
9.0
The rooms were extremely intimate and cozy with beautiful decor. The huge bed, lovely cotton linen, and comfortable mattress and pillows made for a restful stay.
Service
7.0
The service was top-notch right from the moment we arrived. The staff even parked our car promptly and with a charming touch, wearing a bowler hat. However, some staff members could be a bit rude and uninterested, especially when it came to providing a positive exit experience.
Location
8.0
The location of the hotel is perfect, just a few minutes' walk from the main colleges and the shopping center. It offers a beautiful view and the dinner experience was truly wonderful. However, the parking situation can be awkward, and the hotel charges £19.50 per night for parking, which could be a downside.
Dining
8.0
The dining experience was delightful with a continental breakfast option. The staff was very attentive and accommodating, providing a nice variety of choices. It would have been even better if there were more breakfast options, especially a full English breakfast.
Facilities
9.0
The facilities were great, especially the spa where I enjoyed a wonderful massage and facial by Faye. Additionally, the hotel surprised me with a lovely hand-written birthday message from the manager.
Jack
United Kingdom, May  2023
7.6/10

The hotel had its ups and downs. The rooms were comfortable but a bit noisy due to the location overlooking the bins. The service was outstanding, with a friendly and lovely staff. The location was top-notch, allowing easy access to all of Cambridge's main attractions. The dining experience was a mix of disappointment and satisfaction. Overall, the stay was pleasant with a few minor hiccups.

Rooms
7.0
The room, once we got in, was comfortable though a tad noisy due to the bin area outside. The upgrade to the superior king room didn't seem justified for the £195 paid.
Service
9.0
The service, especially as a couple with my girlfriend, was absolutely amazing. The staff were friendly, very clean, and the location was great.
Location
9.0
The location was excellent, close to all major attractions. Punting on the Cam just around the corner added to the charm of being in the center of Cambridge.
Dining
6.0
The breakfast was a mix of disappointment and satisfaction. Limited choices led us to opt for a la carte, and service took longer than expected. However, there were some good options available.
Facilities
7.0
The hotel facilities need a bit of work but overall were satisfactory.
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Check-in
10Sept2025Select date
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11Sept2025Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room