Our Review Of The Varsity Hotel And Spa Cambridge: Rooftop Views And Riverside Jacuzzis

Cambridge is a city that I have always wanted to visit, but until recently had never had the chance. The beautiful old buildings, winding cobbled streets and old-school university charm had always seemed appealing, and so a trip to The Varsity Hotel and Spa was a welcome weekend break in my books. Located right in the heart of the city, this is a luxury boutique hotel with an on-site spa, as well as multiple restaurant and bar areas - some even boasting rooftop views.

The Senior Fellows Superking Room (pictured) is a spacious choice.

DesignMyNight's Review Of The Varsity Hotel Cambridge

We checked in after exploring the city centre, and instantly felt relaxed as we headed to our Senior Fellows Superking Room (from £199 per night). This was enormous for just two people, featuring a four-poster bed, desk and vintage-looking wooden wardrobes. The bathroom was equally impressive, with a huge walk-in shower running along one wall and a selection of Elemis toiletries. But the real draw of this room were the two floor-to-ceiling windows that provided sweeping views of Cambridge from our position on the 5th floor.

After dropping off our bags, we headed straight to the spa. This was just left of reception in the old building, and while the interiors were modern it still had a historic feel to it. We were given robes, towels and slippers on arrival, and we headed into the atmospheric main spa area, which was dimly lit and very peaceful. Here there was a relatively spacious sauna for us to unwind in, as well as a steam room. Though I discovered I'm a little too claustrophobic for the latter, both were popular with other guests, and we couldn't get enough of the jacuzzi. This was placed right by a window that looked out over the River Cam, idyllic and great for watching the world go by.

From spa treatments to rooftop restaurants, this hotel has got it all.

After our spa session, we were feeling suitable rejuvenated for a hearty dinner. There are two restaurants on offer here, a steakhouse on the ground floor and a rooftop eatery - Six Brasserie. We opted for the second, which was conveniently located on the floor above our room. Of course, the views were equally stunning here, and there's even an outdoor terrace - but as this was a November visit we opted to sit inside at a cosy corner table.

These guys offer one of the longest cocktail lists I've ever seen, and after some deliberation I settled on a Bubble Whammy (£14.50). This was a fun twist on a lychee martini, mixing gin, lychee liqueur, lime juice and elderflower cordial, with a bold blue colour and a sweet taste. My partner's pina colada (£13.50) was made perfectly, served over crushed ice and finished with a maraschino cherry.

For starters, the whole burrata (£15.50) was oh-so creamy in the centre, oozing over a bed of marinated cherry tomatoes and basil dressing to create a beautifully fresh dish. This complemented the truffle and parmesan arancini (£11.50) nicely, served with Italian pomodoro sauce. These were very cheesy in the centre and crisp on the outside, though we couldn't really taste the truffle.

The Six Brasserie menu focuses on quality European dishes.

Though a range of cuisines were represented on this menu, we stuck with the Italian theme for our mains. My ricotta and spinach cannelloni (£17.50) was full of flavour, each tube of pasta bursting with melted cheese and a rich tomato sauce. My boyfriend decided on a chicken, buffalo Mozzarella and sweet pepper pizza (£17.50), which had a fluffy, Neapolitan-style base. He devoured these delicious slices, his only criticism being that the chicken pieces could have had more seasoning.

To end our meal, the sticky toffee pudding (£10.50) was a moist sponge soaked in a sugary sauce, topped with a caramelised banana. This warming dessert contrasted the Biscoff sundae (£13.50), a towering glass of Madagascan vanilla ice cream drizzled in Biscoff sauce, fresh cream and Lotus Biscoff crumbs.

Whether it's cocktails or breakfast, Six Brasserie has got a lot to offer.

After a peaceful night's sleep in our plush room, we returned to Six Brasserie for breakfast the next morning (included in the price of our stay). There was a buffet table loaded with fresh fruit, pastries, cheeses, cereal and more, with an a la carte menu to boot. I ordered eggs Florentine, perfectly poached eggs and wilted spinach perched on two halves of toasted English muffin, with a generous amount of hollandaise sauce on top. Opting for something sweeter, my partner's pancakes came with maple syrup and strawberries, and they had a pleasant, fluffy texture.

Overall: Cambridge's Varsity Hotel

I very much enjoyed my first trip to Cambridge, and that was all down to Varsity Hotel and Spa. This is a great choice for luxurious UK breaks, with a very convenient location in the city centre and gorgeous views of the area. Whether you're just coming to relax in the spa (which also offers many treatments), or looking to dine on indulgent European plates, you'll find it all in this boutique setting.

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