From its eclectic decor and classy F&B offering to a newly refurbished leisure club and central yet private location, Graduate Cambridge offers a new type of luxury in the storied city, bringing a fresh sense of modernity while paying thoughtful homage to its history.
Resting in the heart of the famed academic city of Cambridge, along the banks of the River Cam, Graduate Cambridge boasts the only private riverside garden terrace in the city, calling to travellers looking for something a bit different, and green, while maintaining a touch of luxury. From the moment you step into the hotel’s lobby, through doors that perhaps look slightly out of place in a city filled with gothic architecture and authentic British style, you know you’re in for a treat.
Above your head hangs a light sculpture of the DNA double helix and to the right is a wall adorned with 100-year-old punting boats we were told were restored especially for Graduate Cambridge. Door keys are report cards in style, showcasing the famous academic faces of the University of Cambridge. From Rosalind Franklin to Sir Isaac Newton and Alan Turing, the hotel pays homage to its city roots through careful details and clever nods to Cambridge’s prolific past.
These touches are carried through to the rooms, with gold bathroom mirrors in the shape of university crests and bedside tables fashioned out of punts being just some of the not-so-subtle nods to the city setting. Of the 148 rooms, many enjoy their own balcony overlooking the river and the green fields beyond, occasionally visited by friendly cows that come to graze. An idyllic spot to enjoy a hot tea or frothy cappuccino, the hotel’s location could be argued as its crowning glory. While not a dramatic mountainscape or scenic seaside, it’s still quite a view to watch the sunrise as the cobbled streets of Cambridge welcome the first footfall of the day. Bathroom walls are adorned with wallpaper depicting the pastoral countryside and school gates, contrasting the bright white tile of the spacious showers, while clashing patterns across headboards, blankets and tartan curtains play into the whimsical design choices of Graduate. It might not be to everyone’s taste it’s but a fun, interesting choice as opposed to some brand’s carbon copy rooms that lack personality.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Sophisticate | LHR / LGW | GMT |
| While you’re Out There |
| Join the locals and hop on a bicycle to explore the city on two wheels. There’s so much to explore in Cambridge and for those only stopping for just one or two nights, there’s no better way to see the sights than by joining the throng of cyclists to take in the beautiful architecture and endless boutiques and coffee shops. |
The hotel itself has a lot to offer, including a recently refurbished leisure club and pool to match the complete interior renovation. The leisure club, while not the biggest seen in a city hotel, offers guests and local members a state-of-the-art gym with treadmills, Peloton bikes, a leg press machine and a fully equipped fitness studio for those not wanting to miss a morning yoga session. There’s also a 10-metre indoor swimming pool with calming views of the river, a hot tub, sauna and steam room.
No city hotel is complete without a bar, and Graduate Cambridge’s offering, Garden Bar, has an air of the gilded age about it. Low-hanging lights, studded leather stools and vintage liqueur displays mean the venue is dripping in style. An extensive menu, inspired by everything local, from nature and history to the city itself, can be enjoyed barside, in the Garden Room alongside a classic afternoon tea, or in the garden. For food, the contemporary Garden House provides tasty dishes from an open-grill kitchen. Named after the site’s original hotel, the restaurant is led by celebrated chef Adam Wood, of London’s award-winning Perilla, and carries the same opulence of Garden Bar but is brighter and lighter. With floor-to-ceiling windows giving a stunning view of the Cam and the fields beyond, guests can relish in seasonal menus of melt-in-your-mouth meats, fire-cooked fish and a classic Cambridge burnt cream tart. The hotel even has its very own beehive, with honey being a well-loved ingredient in the kitchen.
Less than a minute’s walk from Scudamore’s Boatyard punt station, Graduate Cambridge sets you at a great starting point from which to explore the countless sights of the city. The hotel has partnered with the original pleasure punting company, meaning guests can take in a private punting tour of the Cam’s iconic waterways, a must when visiting, before disembarking and taking to the streets on foot to discover the city’s own quirks and charm.
The historic university city of Cambridge is home to many luxury hotels offering comfortable accommodation and seasonal fare, but Graduate Cambridge is special. A new twist on a classic tale, with a genuine story of its own, it suits the city.
Photography courtesy of Graduate Hotels
